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Do you ever find it frustrating when you’re using your Mac and it suddenly goes to sleep? Whether you’re in the middle of a project, watching a movie, or even just reading an article, having your Mac go to sleep can be disruptive and irritating. But don’t worry, there are ways to prevent your Mac from going to sleep and keep it awake when you need it the most. In this blog post, we will explore various methods and techniques to make your Mac stay awake and avoid any inconvenience.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before we dive into the different methods to prevent your Mac from going to sleep, let’s first take a look at what you’ll need:
1. A Mac computer (laptop or desktop).
2. Administrator access to your Mac.
3. Basic knowledge of your Mac’s settings and preferences.
What Requires Your Focus?
To keep your Mac awake, you will need to pay attention to the power settings and preferences. It’s important to understand how your Mac’s sleep settings work and how to adjust them according to your needs. Additionally, you may need to install third-party software or use Terminal commands to further customize your sleep settings. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid any unintended consequences.
Method 1. Using Energy Saver Preferences
By default, Mac computers have sleep settings enabled to conserve energy. However, you can adjust these settings to prevent your Mac from going to sleep. Here’s how:
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Preferences."
2. In the System Preferences window, click on "Energy Saver."
3. In the Energy Saver window, navigate to the "Battery" tab (if you’re using a laptop) or the "Power Adapter" tab (if you’re using a desktop).
4. Drag the "Computer sleep" slider to a longer duration or select "Never" to completely disable sleep mode.
5. Optionally, you can adjust the "Display sleep" slider to prevent your Mac’s screen from going to sleep while the computer remains awake.
6. Once you’ve made your desired changes, close the Energy Saver window.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Easy to access and modify the sleep settings. | 1. May consume more power, especially if left unchecked for long periods. |
| 2. Allows customization of both computer and display sleep durations. | 2. Constantly running your Mac without sleep may lead to increased wear on the hardware components. |
| 3. No need for additional software or technical knowledge. | 3. Increased power usage may lead to higher electricity bills. |
Method 2. Via Terminal Commands
If you’re comfortable using Terminal and prefer a more advanced approach, you can modify your Mac’s sleep settings using specific commands. Here’s how:
1. Open Terminal by going to Applications > Utilities > Terminal or by using the Spotlight search (CMD + Space) to search for "Terminal."
2. In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter: sudo pmset -a sleep 0
3. You will be prompted to enter your administrator password. Type it in and press Enter.
4. Terminal will execute the command to set the sleep time to 0, effectively disabling sleep mode on your Mac.
5. If you want to revert back to the default sleep settings, use the command sudo pmset -a sleep 1.
6. Close the Terminal window when you’re done.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides more granular control over sleep settings. | 1. Requires familiarity with Terminal and command line usage. |
| 2. Can be easily reverted back to default settings. | 2. Incorrect usage of Terminal commands may cause unintended consequences or system instability. |
| 3. No need for third-party software. | 3. Not recommended for beginners or users unfamiliar with Terminal. |
Method 3. Using Third-Party Software
There are several third-party applications available that allow you to control your Mac’s sleep settings and prevent it from going to sleep. These applications often provide additional features and customization options. Here’s how to use one of the popular software called "Amphetamine":
1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
2. Search for "Amphetamine" and click on the "Get" or "Install" button to download and install the app.
3. Launch the Amphetamine app from the Applications folder or by searching for it in Spotlight.
4. In the Amphetamine window, click on the "+" button to add a new rule.
5. Configure the rule by setting the desired duration and selecting the appropriate options.
6. Click "Save" to apply the rule and prevent your Mac from going to sleep.
7. Optionally, you can create multiple rules for different scenarios.
8. Close the Amphetamine app when you want to revert back to default sleep settings.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Provides a user-friendly interface for managing sleep settings. | 1. Requires downloading and installing additional software. |
| 2. Offers advanced features and customization options. | 2. Some third-party apps may come with a price or limited functionality in free versions. |
| 3. Can be easily disabled or uninstalled if needed. | 3. Compatibility with future macOS updates may vary. |
Method 4. Via Bluetooth Connection
Another interesting method to prevent your Mac from going to sleep is by establishing a Bluetooth connection. By connecting a Bluetooth device to your Mac, it tricks the system into thinking that it is being actively used, thus preventing sleep mode. Here’s how to do it:
1. Ensure you have a Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or wireless headphones.
2. Pair the device with your Mac via Bluetooth. Refer to the device’s manual or documentation for detailed instructions.
3. Once the Bluetooth connection is established, your Mac will recognize it as an active input source and stay awake.
4. You can keep the device nearby or connect additional devices to maintain the Bluetooth connection and prevent sleep.
5. When you’re done using your Mac, simply disconnect the Bluetooth device or disable Bluetooth to allow your Mac to go to sleep.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Doesn’t require any additional software or technical knowledge. | 1. Relies on external Bluetooth devices, which may not be readily available for everyone. |
| 2. Can be easily disabled by disconnecting the Bluetooth device or disabling Bluetooth. | 2. May drain the battery of the connected Bluetooth device if not powered externally. |
| 3. Allows for a hands-free approach to keep your Mac awake. | 3. Not recommended for users who prefer not to rely on external devices. |
Why Can’t I Keep My Mac Awake?
There are several reasons why you may encounter difficulties in keeping your Mac awake. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
1. Running on Battery Power: When using a laptop, your Mac may automatically go to sleep to conserve battery power. Connect your Mac to a power source or adjust the sleep settings in the Energy Saver preferences to prevent sleep while on battery.
2. Outdated Software: In some cases, outdated software or incompatible applications may prevent your Mac from staying awake. Make sure to keep your macOS and applications up to date to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.
3. System Errors or Faults: If your Mac continues to go to sleep unexpectedly, there may be underlying system errors or hardware faults causing the issue. Perform a restart or run diagnostics to troubleshoot the problem. If the issue persists, consider contacting Apple support for further assistance.
Implications and Recommendations
While keeping your Mac awake can be convenient in certain situations, it’s important to consider the implications and make informed decisions. Here are a few recommendations:
1. Balance Power Usage: Keeping your Mac awake indefinitely may lead to increased power consumption and potentially higher electricity bills. Use sleep settings that suit your needs without unnecessarily draining power.
2. Hardware Lifespan: Constantly running your Mac without allowing it to sleep may lead to increased wear on the hardware components. Consider striking a balance between keeping your Mac awake and allowing it to rest to prolong its lifespan.
3. Scheduled Maintenance: It’s important to periodically allow your Mac to go to sleep to perform system updates, disk repairs, and other maintenance tasks. Create a schedule for allowing sleep mode to ensure your Mac remains in optimal condition.
5 FAQs about Keeping Mac Awake
Q1: Why does my Mac keep going to sleep even though I’ve disabled sleep mode?
A1: There might be a software conflict or an application overriding the sleep settings. Close any unnecessary apps or check if there are any specific settings within the application preventing sleep.
Q2: Can I adjust sleep settings for specific apps without affecting the entire system?
A2: Unfortunately, the built-in sleep settings in macOS apply to the whole system and cannot be customized on an app-by-app basis. You may need to explore third-party software or Terminal commands for more granular control.
Q3: Are there any adverse effects of keeping my Mac awake for extended periods?
A3: Extended periods of keeping your Mac awake may lead to increased power consumption, higher temperature levels, and potentially increased hardware wear. It’s recommended to strike a balance between keeping it awake and allowing it to rest.
Q4: Will keeping my Mac awake affect the performance or battery life?
A4: The performance of your Mac should not be affected by keeping it awake. However, if you’re using a laptop on battery power, keeping it awake will drain the battery faster.
Q5: Is it possible to set a schedule for when my Mac should sleep and wake up automatically?
A5: Yes, macOS allows you to schedule sleep and wake times. You can find these settings in the Energy Saver preferences under the "Schedule" tab.
Final Words
Keeping your Mac awake can be essential in certain situations where uninterrupted usage is required. By adjusting the sleep settings, utilizing Terminal commands, using third-party software, or establishing Bluetooth connections, you can prevent your Mac from going to sleep and ensure a smooth and uninterrupted user experience. Remember to strike a balance between keeping your Mac awake and allowing it to rest to maintain optimal performance and prolong its lifespan.