2 Ways to Schedule Shutdown Timer on Mac

If you ever need your Mac to shut down automatically—maybe to save power, limit screen time, or just because you’re prone to forgetting—there are a couple of easy ways to set it up. Here are two straightforward methods to schedule a shutdown timer on your Mac.

Method 1: Use Terminal and the sudo shutdown Command

For quick, one-time shutdowns after a specific amount of time, Terminal is your best friend.

How to Do It:

1. Open Terminal (find it via Spotlight or in Applications > Utilities).
2. Type the following command: sudo shutdown -h +60 This schedules your Mac to shut down in 60 minutes. Change 60 to whatever number of minutes you want.
3. Press Enter and type your password when prompted.

Notes:

• -h means “halt” (shut down).
• To cancel the scheduled shutdown, type: sudo shutdown -c

This is great for when you’re downloading something, watching a movie in bed, or want the Mac off after you fall asleep.

Method 2: Use macOS Energy Saver (or Battery) Preferences

For recurring shutdowns—like shutting down every night at 10 PM—use the built-in scheduling feature.

How to Do It:

1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences in older macOS versions).
2. Click Battery (or Energy Saver).
3. Scroll down and select Schedule (you may need to click Options first).
4. Check the box next to Shut Down, and choose the day(s) and time.
5. Click Apply or OK to confirm.

This method is perfect if you want your Mac to automatically shut down at the same time every day or on a regular schedule.

Final Tip

Don’t forget to save any work before your Mac shuts down—unsaved files will be lost. You can also pair shutdown scheduling with apps like Amphetamine or Caffeine if you want to keep the Mac awake only for a specific period before it shuts down.

Want more Mac tips like this? Subscribe or follow for regular updates that help you get the most out of your Apple gear.