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By default, a Mac enters sleep mode after being left idle for some time. This means the display powers off while your RAM remains on, so that you conserve battery while still being able to quickly get back to work by tapping a key or moving your mouse. You can change this sleep timer for Mac to save more energy or keep your screen on for longer, as you prefer. Here's how to adjust the sleep time on your Mac.
Related: How to Sync Messages from iPhone to Mac
Why You’ll Love This Tip
- Reduce the amount of time before your Mac enters sleep mode to conserve energy and save more battery charge on your Mac.
- Keep your display on longer if you want to keep looking at something without your Mac going to sleep.
How to Change the Mac Sleep Timer
To learn more about your Mac features and customizable settings, sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter. Now, here's how to change the sleep time on your Mac:
- Click the Apple icon in the upper-left corner.
![Click to open the Apple menu.]()
- Click System Preferences.
![Click System Preferences to find the Mac sleep settings.]()
- Click Battery.
![Click Battery. This is where to change sleep time on Mac.]()
- In the left-hand menu, click Battery to set your Mac sleep time while your laptop is running on battery power.
![On the left, click on Battery.]()
- Beneath the text Turn display off after, you'll see a slider. Click and drag the slider to set the duration of time you want before your Mac enters sleep mode. The amount of time you can select ranges from 1 minute to never.
![Click and drag the slider for Turn the display off after: to the duration you want. It ranges anywhere from 1 minute to 3 hours, or never.]()
- Now click Power Adapter in the left-hand menu to set your Mac sleep time while your computer is charging or connected to a power source.
![Now click on Power Adapter.]()
- Click and drag the slider to set the duration of time you want before your Mac enters Sleep mode. Similar to the step above, the amount of time you can select ranges from 1 minute to Never.
![Click and drag the slider for Turn the display off after: to the duration you want. The first one was for when your Mac is running on battery power; this one is for when the power adapter is plugged in.]()
- You can also check the box next to Prevent your Mac from automatically sleeping when the display is off.
![If you want to, you can check the box for Prevent your Mac from automatically sleeping when the display is off.]()
- If you want to schedule your Mac to wake up and/or go to sleep automatically at certain times, click Schedule in the left-hand menu.
![Lastly, click on Schedule. This is where you can set a sleep timer on Mac.]()
- To set a time for your computer to start up or wake, check the box next to Start up or wake.
![Here you can schedule your Mac to wake up and/or go to sleep automatically at certain times. If you want this, check the box for Start up or wake.]()
- Then you can click the expandable menu to select certain days.
![Then you can click the expandable menu to select certain days.]()
- You can also use the arrow buttons to select a certain time of day.
![You can also use the arrow buttons to select a certain time of day.]()
- If you'd like your Mac to sleep at a certain time, check the box next to sleep and follow the same steps to select specific days and a time.
![All these same settings apply to the Sleep option, to set your Mac to automatically go to sleep at a certain time.]()
- When you’re finished adjusting your Mac sleep settings, click Apply.
![When you’re happy with the settings, click Apply.]()
Now you can easily adjust your Mac display settings however you like! Just be aware that setting your display to remain on longer will use more battery, while setting it to sleep after a short period of inactivity will help to conserve energy and save more battery. The right balance really depends on your specific needs and workflow!
