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Screensaver Lockout MacBook Air (M1)

I just purchased the baseline M1 MacBook Air and I’m having trouble with the screensaver taking over the computer. It will come on even while using the device and then there’s no way to dismiss the screensaver. I have to switch users, log out, and/or restart the machine to get the screensaver to go away. At this point I’ve disabled the screensaver (which for me is fine) but I’m hoping there’s a fix out there somewhere.

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Nov 23, 2020 11:05 AM

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Posted on Dec 3, 2020 11:33 AM

Hey Apple - we have a problem on your new M1 Airbook! Please acknowledge and fix it - I reinstalled the MacOS per Apple Support on Sunday. Today the issue reappeared despite the screensaver being turned to 'Never"

140 replies

Dec 23, 2020 10:14 PM in response to pelthree


◦ Instead of selecting Login Window… from the fast user switching menu, select the name of the user who wants to login.


◦ Instead of clicking the Switch User button on the lock screen, enter the password the password of the user that is already logged in or have that user use Touch ID, then use the fast user switching menu to select the name of a different user who wants to login.



◦ Configure the screen saver to not be displayed on the login window, which will also prevent the screen saver from starting 20 minutes after clicking on Login Window… or Switch User. This can be done by logging in as an admin user and entering the following command into Terminal: sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.screensaver loginWindowIdleTime 0​ When the Password: prompt appears, type the password of the user that is currently logged in and press Return (the password being typed at this prompt will not be displayed).


• To stop the screen saver when this behavior occurs: put the Mac to sleep (hold power button for 1.5 seconds on a desktop Mac or close the display on a portable Mac), leave the Mac sleeping for 10 seconds, then wake the Mac.

Dec 26, 2020 4:59 PM in response to cyrille2021

In response to cyrille2021 re it being potentially linked to having multiple accounts active: this doesn't seem to be the cause. The bug happens even with only one account logged in (I migrated 4 accounts to a new MBAir M1, but have only used 1 and the bug happens... first day of use, occurred while actively typing... (MBAir, BigSur 11.1, MacBookAir10,1 Apple M1, 8 (4 performance and 4 efficiency), System Firmware Version: 6723.61.3

Dec 29, 2020 12:01 PM in response to pelthree

And same here on a new Mac mini m1. 1st install yesterday, updated to 11.1. have created 3 users. today suddenly screensaver started while I was reading and typing. couldn't stop it anymore. only putting the mini into sleep mode with the power button and waking it up again helped.


really hope this does not occur to often as described in some posts till there will be a fix for this.

Dec 30, 2020 7:19 PM in response to pelthree

Like may others, I am also having this issue. Running Big Sur 11.1 on MacBook Air (M1, 2020). Have 2 user accounts, both with the screensaver disabled. The screensaver will appear randomly, often in the middle of a task. Closing the lid, waiting and reopening works in most cases, often requiring multiple attempts.

Needless to say this is extremely frustrating and a less than ideal experience given that I have had the computer for less than a month. Certainly not what I expect from Apple. A shame this issue exists because the rest of the experience with the M1 MacBook Air has been fantastic. And I certainly hope that this does not require a hardware replacement as I waited long enough for my custom build.

Screensaver Lockout MacBook Air (M1)

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