How to stop your MacBook from booting automatically when you open the lid or plug in

Tired of your MacBook powering up every time you open the lid? Apple has a simple fix to stop this automatic startup behaviour. Here's how to stop it from happening.

By: MD IJAJ KHAN
| Updated on: Feb 04 2025, 13:51 IST
iPhone SE 4, M4 MacBook Air, and other Apple products launching early in 2025
MacBook
1/5 iPhone SE 4 or iPhone 16e: Apple is expected to launch its affordable iPhone model in March with a rebranded name and major upgrades. The iPhone SE 4 likely to be called the iPhone 16e is expected to come with an iPhone 14-like design. It may feature an OLED display, A18 Chip, 8GB RAM, a 48MP main camera, and other major upgrades which will likley attract buyers.  (Sonny Dickson/X)
MacBook
2/5 M4 MacBook Air: After making waves about the new M4 chip, Apple will finally launch the new generation MacBook Air with the M4 chip in the upcoming months. The MacBook Air may include a nano-texture display option with 16GB RAM. The laptop will likely come in two size options 13-inch and 15-inch. Recent reports suggest a March 2025 launch for the new M4 MacBook Air. (Apple)
image caption
3/5 iPad 11: After 2023, the base iPad model is finally set for an upgrade this year with the 11th generation of iPad. While the rumours surrounding the iPad 11 are slim, reports suggest that it is expected to be powered by the  A-series chip with 8GB, making it compatible for Apple Intelligence. Reports also suggest that the new iPad 11 may feature Apple’s in-house  Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. (HT Tech)
image caption
4/5 M3 iPad Air: Last year Apple launched M2 powered iPad Air which major irations. However, in just a year, the company is expected to launch a new iPad Air that will likely be powered by the M3 chip. Rumours suggest significant specs upgrades along with new keyboard accessories. Therefore, we may have to wait a few months to know what Apple in store for its new generation iPads.  (HT Tech)
image caption
5/5 Apple Watch SE 3: We saw the Apple Watch SE model in 2022 and now it is expected to make a comeback in 2025. While the specifications and upgrades are unknown, the smartwatch has been rumoured since last year, now it is expected to make a comeback in the upcoming months at affordable pricing.  (Apple)
MacBook
icon View all Images
Know how to stop your MacBook from automatically booting when opening the lid or plugging it in. (Unsplash)

Have you ever wished your MacBook didn't start up automatically when you open the lid or plug it in? Apple has now provided a way to stop this behaviour. The company published a detailed guide outlining the process for disabling the automatic startup feature on MacBooks with Apple Silicon running macOS Sequoia or later.

This feature can be useful for some users, but it may be an inconvenience for those who prefer more control over when their laptop boots. Unfortunately, Apple does not offer a simple toggle option in the Settings menu, so this workaround requires a few steps using the Terminal app.

Also read: 5 Unique ways Google Gemini can inspire your next big project: Find out how

Also read
Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here.

To begin, open the Terminal app located in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder. Once inside, you can enter one of the following commands depending on your preference:

  • To stop startup when opening the lid or connecting to power: sudo nvram BootPreference=%00
  • To stop startup only when opening the lid: sudo nvram BootPreference=%01
  • To stop startup only when connecting to power: sudo nvram BootPreference=%02

After entering the desired command, press Return. You will be prompted to enter your administrator password. Keep in mind that the password will not appear as you type it. Press Return again to execute the command.

Also read: Is your Aadhaar being misused? Know how to track usage, report fraud, and secure your identity now

How to Restore the Auto Startup Feature

If you change your mind and want to restore the automatic startup feature, simply enter the following command: sudo nvram -d BootPreference.

While these steps disable automatic startup, they do not prevent your MacBook from turning on if you press a key or use the trackpad. For example, if you want to clean your keyboard without triggering a startup, consider using CleanupBuddy for Mac.

Also read: How to completely delete Incognito search history on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac devices

Additional Settings to Manage Startup Behavior

In case you prefer to mute the startup chime instead, Apple has included an option in the Settings menu. Navigate to Settings > Sound and disable the option labelled Play sound on startup.

If your MacBook Pro turns on unexpectedly while in your sleeve or bag, there could be several reasons for this, including an improper shutdown or Bluetooth errors. You can resolve this by ensuring your Mac is fully shut down. Simply click the Apple icon and select Shut Down, or press and hold the power button until the screen goes black.

Disabling Bluetooth or adjusting Energy Saver settings can also help. Make sure options like Wake for network access or Enable Power Nap are unchecked to prevent your MacBook from powering on automatically.

Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. For our latest videos, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

First Published Date: 04 Feb, 13:50 IST
Tags:
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Editor’s Pick