Schedule Startup & Shutdown on Mac

This guide shows you how to set your Mac to turn on and shut down automatically at specific times. You’ll use the built-in Energy Saver (or Battery) settings—no extra software needed. By the end, you’ll have your Mac waking up before you start work and powering down after you’re done, saving energy and keeping your routine consistent.

What You’ll Need

• A Mac running macOS Ventura or later (the steps are nearly identical on older versions).
• An administrator account (you’ll need to enter your password to change these settings).
• Your Mac must be plugged into power for scheduled startup to work reliably—most Macs won’t start on battery power alone.

Step-by-Step

1. Open System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. (On older macOS versions, this is System Preferences.)
2. Go to Energy or Battery settings. In the sidebar, click Energy (on desktop Macs) or Battery (on MacBooks). If you see a list of options, look for Schedule or Options—on MacBooks, you may need to click the Options button at the bottom.
3. Turn on scheduling. Click the toggle next to Schedule (or click Set Schedule). A small window or pop-up will appear.
4. Set startup time. Check the box next to Start up or wake. Choose the frequency: Every Day, Weekdays, Weekends, or a specific day of the week. Then set the time using the hour and minute fields (the clock uses 24-hour format in some regions, but the UI will match your system settings).
5. Set shutdown time. Check the box next to Shut down (or Sleep on some models). Choose the same frequency options and set the time. You can have different frequencies for startup and shutdown—for example, start every weekday but shut down only on Fridays.
6. Apply the schedule. Click OK or Done to save. You may be asked for your administrator password—enter it and click Unlock or OK.
7. Verify it’s active. Go back to the Energy/Battery settings and confirm the schedule appears under the Schedule section. If you see a summary like “Start up at 8:00 AM on weekdays,” you’re all set.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to plug in. Scheduled startup won’t work if your MacBook is on battery. Always keep it connected to power for the startup to trigger.
• Using “Sleep” instead of “Shut down.” If you want the Mac fully off, choose Shut down. “Sleep” only puts it in a low-power state—it still uses a small amount of battery and may wake for updates.
• Setting the wrong AM/PM. The time picker uses a 24-hour clock in many regions. Double-check that 8:00 means 8 AM, not 8 PM.
• Not saving the schedule. If you close the settings window without clicking OK, the schedule won’t apply. Look for the confirmation text before moving on.
• Mixing up “Start up” and “Wake.” “Start up” powers the Mac on from an off state. “Wake” only brings it out of sleep. If you want it fully on, use “Start up.”

Tips

• Use weekdays only. If you work Monday to Friday, set startup for weekdays and shutdown for weekdays too—your Mac stays off on weekends.
• Add a startup delay. If you want your Mac on before you arrive, set the startup time 15–30 minutes earlier than you typically start. It gives the system time to finish booting and install updates.
• Check the schedule after macOS updates. Major updates sometimes reset energy settings. Revisit the schedule after updating to ensure it’s still active.
• Use “Shut Down” vs. “Restart.” This schedule only offers startup and shutdown, not restart. If you need a daily restart, you’ll have to do it manually or use a third-party app.
• Keep your Mac plugged in overnight. Even if you schedule shutdown, leaving it plugged in ensures the startup works the next morning.

Troubleshooting

My Mac doesn’t turn on at the scheduled time.

• Check that the Mac is connected to power. If it’s a MacBook, the battery might be completely drained—plug it in and try again.
• Verify the schedule is still enabled in System Settings. Sometimes a macOS update turns it off.
• Make sure you didn’t set the time in the past. If you set a startup time that already passed today, it will only happen tomorrow (or on the next matching day).
• Try turning the schedule off and on again. Toggle the switch, restart your Mac, then re-enable the schedule.

My Mac shuts down but then turns back on immediately.

• This can happen if “Wake for network access” is enabled. Go to Energy settings and uncheck Wake for network access (or Enable Power Nap). These features can wake the Mac after shutdown.
• Check if you have any scheduled tasks (like backups) that might be waking it. Try disabling Time Machine backups temporarily to test.

The schedule options are grayed out.

• You need administrator privileges. Click the lock icon in the corner and enter your admin password.
• On some MacBooks, the schedule is only available when the Mac is connected to power. Plug it in and the options should become active.

My Mac shuts down but doesn’t start up the next day.

• This is often a power issue. Ensure the power adapter is firmly connected and the outlet works.
• If you have a desktop Mac, check the power cord and try a different outlet.
• Reset the SMC (System Management Controller) if the problem persists. The steps vary by model—search Apple’s support site for your specific Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I schedule a restart instead of shutdown?
No, the built-in scheduler only offers startup and shutdown (or sleep). For a restart, you’d need a third-party app or a manual reminder.

Will the schedule work if my Mac is asleep?
Yes, scheduled startup will wake a sleeping Mac, and scheduled shutdown will put it to sleep or shut it down. However, if the Mac is completely off, only the startup schedule will work.

Can I have different schedules for weekdays and weekends?
Yes, you can set a different frequency for startup and shutdown. For example, start on weekdays only, and shut down every day. But you can’t set multiple separate schedules (like one for Monday and another for Tuesday) using the built-in tool.

Does scheduled shutdown work if I’m using the Mac at that time?
Yes, the Mac will shut down regardless of activity. It may show a warning if unsaved documents are open, but it will proceed after a short countdown.

Will scheduled startup drain my battery?
No, the Mac is off until the scheduled time. It only uses power when it boots up.

Can I set a schedule for a specific day of the week?
Yes, you can choose a specific day (like “Monday”) from the frequency dropdown. However, you can’t set multiple specific days in one schedule—you’d need to use “Weekdays” or “Every Day” instead.

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