Having trouble using MagicDesk? Find answers to common questions, purchase assistance, and troubleshooting steps below, or contact us for further support.

System Requirement: macOS 14.0 or later

Quick Start

How do I add a wallpaper?

MagicDesk supports two methods:

• “Add Files”: Choose local images, GIFs, or videos, or drag files directly into the wallpaper library.
• “Add URL”: Enter an HTTP or HTTPS image, video, or webpage address. Remote media is downloaded to a local cache. A webpage is added after the App creates a cover image and webpage cache.

After adding an item, select it, choose Fill, Fit, or Stretch in the preview, and assign it to every display or a specific display.

Which file formats are supported?

MagicDesk supports:

• Video: MP4, MOV, M4V, and AVI;
• Images: JPG/JPEG, PNG, WebP, HEIC/HEIF, BMP, TIFF, and AVIF;
• Animated images: GIF; and
• Remote content: HTTP or HTTPS image, video, and webpage URLs.

Actual display and playback also depend on encoding, file integrity, server responses, macOS decoding support, and Mac performance. A supported extension does not guarantee compatibility with every file that uses it.

Import and Library

Why can’t I import a local file?

Check the following:

• The file extension is in the current supported list;
• The file is complete and opens in a built-in macOS app;
• The current account can read its location;
• A file on external, network, or cloud storage is downloaded and the storage remains connected; and
• The disk has enough room for thumbnails or necessary caches.

MagicDesk saves a copy in the App’s cache directory during import, so playback normally continues after the original file moves. If the cache is also missing and the source file was moved, renamed, or deleted, secure access may no longer work. Remove the inaccessible item and import it again.

Why do I see “Local file access authorization could not be found”?

MagicDesk prefers the local copy created during import. If that cache is unavailable, the macOS sandbox and a security-scoped bookmark can access the original file again. This fallback authorization may become invalid when:

• The source file is moved, renamed, or deleted;
• An external disk is not connected;
• A cloud file has not been downloaded to the Mac; or
• A system migration, restore, or permission change invalidates the bookmark.

Confirm that the file is available, then use “Add Files” again.

How do I organize or delete items?

The wallpaper library supports search, tags, favorites, custom lists, drag reordering, and multi-selection. Before deleting an item, confirm whether it is still used by another list or display.

Deleting an item removes its library record. When no other item uses the related cache, MagicDesk also removes that cache. The operation may be irreversible, but removing a library record does not modify the original source file.

URLs and Webpage Wallpapers

Why can’t I add a URL?

MagicDesk accepts only HTTP or HTTPS addresses. If you enter only a domain, the App automatically uses HTTPS. Check that:

• When a scheme is explicitly included, the address begins with http:// or https://;
• The link is still valid and opens in a browser;
• The server does not require a login, special request header, regional permission, or hotlink authorization;
• A network, proxy, firewall, or DNS setting is not blocking access; and
• The link directly returns a supported image or video, or a webpage that can load normally.

Short-lived signed links, DRM-protected content, login-protected pages, or servers that reject automated access may not work.

Why did a remote image or video download fail?

Confirm that the network is stable and check whether the server returns an error status. You can also:

• Open the same URL again in a browser;
• Prefer an HTTPS address;
• Wait and retry;
• Confirm that the disk has enough free space; or
• Download the file from a trusted source and import it with “Add Files.”

HTTP does not encrypt transmission, so HTTPS is recommended.

Why does a webpage have no cover image or fail to add?

When adding a webpage, MagicDesk must wait for the page to load and then create a cover image and web archive. It may fail when:

• Loading is slow or the network disconnects;
• A certificate, redirect, or script fails;
• The page requires a login, CAPTCHA, or interaction;
• The website blocks WebKit loading or offline archiving; or
• The webpage continuously loads live content and cannot finish caching promptly.

Confirm that the page opens in Safari, then return to MagicDesk and retry. For pages that request accounts or sensitive information, evaluate the privacy and security risks first.

How does a webpage wallpaper work offline?

When the network is available, MagicDesk prefers the remote webpage. When offline, it attempts to use the cache saved when you added the page. A webpage that depends on live APIs, a login session, or resources omitted from the archive may be incomplete offline.

Displays and Playback

How do I use a different wallpaper on each display?

After connecting multiple displays:

• Select an item in the wallpaper library;
• Choose the target display in the preview area;
• Assign the item to that display; and
• Repeat for the other displays.

Assigning to every display applies the same item to all displays currently detected. If a display is disconnected, reconnected, or its system identifier changes, you may need to assign it again.

Why doesn’t the wallpaper fill the screen?

Change the fit mode in the main window or under Settings > Playback:

• Fill: Preserves the aspect ratio and fills the display, possibly cropping edges;
• Fit: Preserves the aspect ratio and shows the complete image, possibly leaving borders; or
• Stretch: Fills the display but may change the original aspect ratio.

Changing the fit mode updates currently enabled display assignments.

Why is a video, GIF, or webpage wallpaper not moving?

Check whether:

• Live wallpapers were stopped or paused;
• The menu-bar playback state is set to resume;
• “Automatically pause while gaming or working full screen” has been triggered;
• “Automatically pause when disconnected from external power” has been triggered;
• The original file, cache, or remote URL is still available; and
• Mac resource usage is unusually high.

Try resuming from the menu bar or temporarily disabling the corresponding power-saving option.

Why is there no sound?

MagicDesk may play muted by default. Check:

• The sound control in the menu bar or main window;
• “Mute by Default” under Settings > Playback;
• The macOS system volume and output device; and
• Whether the source video has a playable audio track.

With multiple displays, MagicDesk allows only one selected display to produce sound, preventing several audio tracks from playing simultaneously.

How does smart power saving decide when to pause?

When “Automatically pause while gaming or working full screen” is enabled, MagicDesk locally checks whether the frontmost app has an approximately full-screen window and attempts to resume after that condition ends.

When “Automatically pause when disconnected from external power” is enabled, live wallpapers pause while the Mac uses battery power and resume after external power reconnects. Unusual window layouts, multiple Spaces, or some games may affect detection.

Menu Bar, Shortcuts, and Launch

Does MagicDesk keep running after I close the main window?

MagicDesk can remain in the menu bar and continue displaying live wallpapers. Under Settings > General, choose whether to show the Dock icon and whether closing the main window minimizes it, hides it, or quits the App.

If you only close or hide the window, reopen the main window from the menu-bar icon. The App exits only when you choose “Quit Application.”

What should I do if global shortcuts do not work?

Open Settings > Shortcuts and confirm that:

• “Enable Shortcuts” is on;
• The relevant action is enabled;
• The shortcut does not conflict with macOS or another app; and
• A changed combination was saved successfully.

Use “Restore All Defaults” to register the default combinations again. This replaces your current custom shortcuts.

What should I do if MagicDesk does not launch at login?

First enable “Open MagicDesk after login” under Settings > General. If it still does not work:

• Choose “Open System Login Items Settings”;
• Confirm in macOS System Settings that MagicDesk may open at login;
• Turn the option off and on again; and
• Quit and reopen MagicDesk, then check the status.

Purchase and Restoration

What is “Permanently Remove Watermark”?

It is a one-time, non-consumable in-app purchase, not an auto-renewable subscription. After Apple verifies the purchase, MagicDesk permanently removes its desktop watermark. The entitlement is associated with the Apple Account used to purchase it.

What should I do if a purchase fails?

Confirm that:

• The Mac is connected to the internet;
• The App Store is signed in to a valid Apple Account;
• Your payment method and purchase restrictions allow in-app purchases;
• App Store services are available; and
• The product price loaded successfully.

If you were charged but the watermark remains, do not purchase again. Try “Restore Purchases” first.

How do I restore a purchase?

Use the same Apple Account that made the purchase, then:

• Open MagicDesk Settings;
• Go to the Subscription section;
• Choose “Restore Purchases”; and
• Wait for Apple to synchronize and verify the transaction.

If no restorable purchase is found, check the Apple Account, network, and purchase history. A refunded, revoked, or unverified transaction does not restore an active entitlement.

Contact Support

If these steps do not resolve the issue, email:

MichaelSilvesterCN+MagicDesk@gmail.com

To help us investigate, include:

• MagicDesk version;
• macOS version and Mac model;
• Number, connection type, and arrangement of displays;
• Media type and whether it came from a local file or URL;
• Exact steps and error messages; and
• Relevant screenshots or a screen recording.

If the issue involves private or copyrighted content, do not send the media file itself. You can provide a redacted screenshot, file extension, publicly accessible test URL, or minimal steps that reproduce the problem.

Related Documents

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

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