How to stop a Mac from going to sleep

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

A Mac that sleeps in the middle of a long download, a backup or a presentation is annoying. Two settings control this: when the display turns off, and whether the Mac itself may sleep afterwards.

These steps are for recent versions of macOS, where the settings app is called System Settings. The pictures are our own screenshots from macOS Tahoe 26 on a MacBook Pro.

Step by step

1. 

   Open System Settings and click Lock Screen

   Click the Apple menu, then System Settings. Lock Screen is in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down.

   Done

2. 

   Change when the display turns off

   Set Turn display off on power adapter when inactive to a longer time or to Never. On a MacBook there is a second setting for battery. Leave that one short, or the battery empties quickly.

   Done

3. 

   MacBook: click Battery, then Options

   Battery is higher up in the sidebar. Options is the button at the bottom right of the Battery page.

   Done

4. Switch on Prevent automatic sleeping

   The full name is Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when the display is off. The MacBook then keeps working while it is plugged in, even when the screen is dark.

   Done

5. Desktop Mac: click Energy

   On an iMac, Mac mini or Mac Studio the setting is under Energy and is called Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off.

   Done

Good to know

These settings increase power use. Set them back when the long job is finished.

macOS itself warns next to the Never setting that never letting the display turn off may shorten its lifespan and increase energy usage.

Wake for network access, in the same place, lets other devices reach shared files or printers on a sleeping Mac.

Closing the lid still puts a MacBook to sleep unless an external display, keyboard and power are connected.

Which options appear depends on the Mac model.

In short: Lock Screen: display off later or Never. MacBook: Battery, Options, Prevent automatic sleeping.