Programing your computer’s macOS to automatically turn off at a specific time is a great way to save energy and automate recurring tasks. Whether to save power at night or to turn off your computer after a long download or video rendering, macOS offers convenient functionality to schedule automatic shutdowns. In this article, you will learn how to set macOS to shut down automatically using “Scheduler”.
Step 1: Accessing the Scheduler
macOS has a tool called “Scheduler” that allows you to schedule various actions, including shutting down your computer at specific times. Follow the steps below to access the Scheduler:
Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of the screen.
Select “System Preferences” from the drop-down menu.
In the System Preferences window, click “Energy Saver”.
At the bottom right of the “Energy Saver” window, you will find the “Schedule…” button. Click on it to access the Scheduler.
Step 2: Configuring the Scheduler
Now that you’re in Scheduler, follow these steps to schedule your macOS to automatically shut down:
In the “Scheduler” window, check the “Enable Scheduler” box.
From the “Shutdown or Restart” drop-down menu, select “Shutdown.”
Choose the frequency at which you want the automatic shutdown to occur. You can choose between “Daily”, “Weekly” or “Monthly” depending on your needs.
Configure the time you want the shutdown to occur by entering the hours and minutes in the corresponding fields. Make sure you choose a suitable time to avoid interrupting ongoing tasks.
Select the days of the week you want the automatic shutdown to run if you are using the weekly option. Leave the fields blank if you want the action to occur every day.
If you are using the monthly option, select the day of the month you want the shutdown to occur.
After configuring all the details, click the “Schedule” button.
Step 3: Checking the Configuration
After you schedule the automatic shutdown, you can check the setting in Scheduler at any time to make sure everything is correct. To do this:
Return to the “Energy Saver” window in “System Preferences”.
Click the “Schedule…” button again in the bottom right corner of the window.
Confirm that your auto-off schedule is correct.
Step 4: Testing the Programming
To test the programming and ensure that the automatic shutdown works as intended, follow these steps:
Wait until the scheduled shutdown time arrives.
You will see a confirmation message asking if you want to shut down your computer. Make sure to save all your work before proceeding.
Click “Shutdown” to confirm the shutdown.
If everything is configured correctly, macOS will automatically shut down at the scheduled time.
In practical summary, scheduling your macOS to automatically shut down at a specific time is a convenient way to save energy and automate tasks. macOS Scheduler makes this task easy to set up and manage.
It is worth noting that you must make sure use this functionality responsibly and according to your needs to avoid unexpected interruptions. With the steps outlined in this article, you can schedule your macOS to automatically shut down and enjoy the benefits of automation.
Photo by Buro Millennial