Mac OS · macOS
Change Lock Screen and Sleep Settings on Mac
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Open System Settings > Lock Screen to set display-off timers and password timing. Use Battery or Energy settings for options such as preventing automatic sleep or waking for network access.
Open Lock Screen settings
Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Lock Screen. Current macOS keeps the display-off and password timing controls here.
Set display-off timers
Choose separate inactivity times for battery and power adapter where the Mac offers both controls.
Require a password promptly
Set Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off. A short delay provides better protection on portable or shared Macs.
Adjust laptop sleep options
Open Battery > Options for Prevent automatic sleeping on power adapter when the display is off, Power Nap, hard-disk sleep, or Wake for network access where supported.
Adjust desktop Mac options
Open Energy for the corresponding desktop controls. Preventing sleep and network wake can increase power use.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If sleep behavior differs, check whether the Mac is portable or desktop, connected to power, sharing services, and managed policy. Restore energy-saving defaults when troubleshooting.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: macOS.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform update.