How to Start Screensaver with a Keyboard Shortcut on Mac
Part 1 of 2:
Creating the Action
- Open Automator. If you press F4, it should be in the folder titled Other.
- Choose a type for the document. Choose Quick Action.
- Search for Start Screen Saver in the top left corner. Double click on it.
- Make sure it is set to Workflow receives no input in any application on the right hand side.
- Test by clicking on Run in the top right corner. If the screen saver starts, you can press the X button and click on Save, naming it something easy to find (like 'Start Screen Saver').
- If it doesn't work, read each instruction carefully and try again, or activate screensaver in your System Preferences.
Part 2 of 2:
Creating the Keyboard Shortcut
- Open System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts.
- Click on Services on the left side.
- Scroll down to the very bottom and you will find the action that you created.
- Click on the None to the right of the title.
- Click on Add Shortcut and type the shortcut that you want. For example, you could use Ctrl+⌥ Opt+S.
- Release the keys. The screensaver should start when you press the shortcut.
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Jessica Tanner
Update 04 March 2020