How to Schedule Your Mac to Turn On and Off Automatically
Who is interested in pressing a power button these days?
The new Mac Mini from Apple features a design that resembles a compact version of the Mac Studio, and it has generated mixed opinions due to a particular detail: to turn it on, users must access the bottom. This could be an inconvenience for some users who prefer not to have to turn the device. However, there are options to automate the power on and off schedules through a power settings program.
There are several reasons why a user might want to set up a power schedule. For instance, those with a MacBook Air that they do not often use may find it convenient to avoid opening the lid only to discover that the device is dead. Other users might need their computer to turn on at odd hours to perform scheduled backups, while some may unplug their Mac for work-related reasons.
Previously, this type of scheduling could be easily done through the System Preferences menu, but with the introduction of macOS Ventura and the replacement of System Preferences with the new Settings app, this function has disappeared. Despite this, it is still possible to set up these automations, although it will require using the command line tool, Terminal, which can be intimidating for less experienced users. Additionally, Apple’s support instructions on how to set up the power schedule through Terminal are not particularly helpful.
When using Terminal to adjust your Mac's power schedule, it’s important to remember that only one schedule can be set, which will take precedence over others. Thus, if you attempt to set the power on schedule and then the shutdown schedule, only the last command entered will apply. It is advisable to be cautious and avoid entering random commands if you do not understand their function.
To establish a power on schedule, first, open Terminal, which should be located in the Utilities folder within Applications. Once there, you will enter the first command to schedule daily power on using “sudo pmset repeat poweron.” Next, you will specify which days the schedule will apply—this can be just weekdays or represented by a series of letters for each day—followed by the time in 24-hour format.
For example, if you want the computer to turn on at 7 AM from Monday to Friday, the command line would look like this: sudo pmset repeat poweron weekdays 7:00:00. For a power on schedule from Wednesday to Sunday, the command would be: sudo pmset repeat poweron WRFSU 7:00:00. Then, if you wish to add a shutdown schedule, you can complete the initial command with “shutdown,” followed by the desired days and times for shutdown.
If you need to remove this scheduling, it can be done with a simple command to clear the existing schedule. To verify that the schedule was set correctly, another specific command can be used. One thing to keep in mind is that sometimes open applications may prevent the computer from shutting down, or it may remain in sleep mode waiting for user input. In such cases, you can schedule it to wake from sleep using “wakeorpoweron.”
By following these steps, it is possible to automate the power on and off of the new Mac Mini, maximizing its energy efficiency and taking advantage of modern technology.