How to lock the screen on a Mac

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Locking the screen keeps other people out while you are away from the desk. Apps and documents stay open. You unlock with your password or Touch ID.

These steps are for recent versions of macOS. The pictures are our own screenshots from macOS Tahoe 26 on a MacBook Pro and diagrams of the keys to press.

Step by step

1. Lock it with the keyboard

   Press Control, Command and Q at the same time. The login window appears straight away.

   Done

2. Or use the Apple menu

   Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and choose Lock Screen.

   Done

3. 

   Open System Settings and click Lock Screen

   This page controls when the Mac locks by itself.

   Done

4. 

   Set when the display turns off

   There are two settings: Turn display off on battery when inactive, and Turn display off on power adapter when inactive. Choose a short time, such as a few minutes.

   Done

5. 

   Require the password immediately

   Set Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to Immediately. With a longer delay, anyone can wake the Mac during that time without a password.

   Done

Good to know

A hot corner set to Lock Screen locks the Mac when you push the pointer into that corner.

Show message when locked puts a line of text on the login window. A phone number there helps an honest finder return a lost MacBook.

Closing the lid of a MacBook also puts it to sleep, and it asks for the password according to the same setting.

In short: Control, Command and Q. For automatic locking: System Settings, Lock Screen, require password Immediately.