Back in 2016, Apple added an Auto Boot feature in MacBooks that automatically powers on the device when you open the lid or connect it to power. Apple introduced this feature to streamline the user experience. It ensures the Mac boots up instantly when opened or connected to power. However, this may not always be desirable. You may prefer to disable auto-boot if you frequently open the lid just to clean the screen. Several people use the Mac as a headless server or in a custom setup where they don’t want it to turn on automatically. People who switch from a Windows laptop to a Mac prefer manually turning their Mac on with the power button. While this can be convenient, it can also be frustrating if you prefer to manually control when your Mac starts up. Fortunately, Apple provides a way to disable this feature, but the method differs depending on whether you have an Intel-based Mac or an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, etc.).
Also Read: MacBook Clamshell Mode
How to Disable Auto Boot on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs
The method for disabling auto-boot depends on whether your MacBook has an Intel processor or an Apple Silicon chip (M1, M2, M3, etc.).
For Intel Macs
On Intel-based Macs, you can disable auto-boot using the AutoBoot parameter in Terminal:
- Open the Terminal app from Applications > Utilities.
- Enter the following command and press Return:
sudo nvram AutoBoot=%00- When prompted, enter your admin password (it won’t be visible as you type).
- Restart your Mac to apply the changes.
Re-enabling Auto Boot on Intel Macs
If you want to restore the default auto-boot behavior, enter:
sudo nvram AutoBoot=%03Then restart your Mac.
Read: Mac Terminal Commands Every Mac User Should Know
For Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, etc.)
With Apple’s transition to Apple Silicon, the AutoBoot command no longer works. Instead, Apple introduced the BootPreference parameter in macOS Sequoia (15) and Sonoma (14.7), allowing users to control auto-boot behavior.
- Open the Terminal app from Applications > Utilities.
- Choose the appropriate command based on your preference:
- Disable auto-boot when opening the lid OR connecting power:
sudo nvram BootPreference=%00
- Disable auto-boot ONLY when opening the lid:
sudo nvram BootPreference=%01
- Disable auto-boot ONLY when connecting power:
sudo nvram BootPreference=%03
- Press Return and enter your admin password when prompted.
- Restart your Mac to apply the changes.
Reverting to Default Behavior on Apple Silicon Macs
To restore the default auto-boot setting, reset the BootPreference using:
sudo nvram -d BootPreferenceRestart your Mac afterward.
Also read: What is Safe Mode in Mac and How to Boot Mac in Safe Mode?
How to Reset NVRAM If Something Goes Wrong
If your Mac behaves unexpectedly after changing these settings, resetting the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) can restore default behavior.
For Intel Macs:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Press and hold Option + Command + P + R.
- Keep holding the keys for about 20 seconds until your Mac restarts.
For Apple Silicon Macs:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Press and hold the Power button until you see Loading startup options.
- Select Options > Continue, then follow the instructions to reset settings.
Read:
Final Thoughts
Disabling Auto Boot gives you more control over when your Mac turns on. Whether you are using an Intel or Apple Silicon Mac, you can now easily modify this behavior using simple Terminal commands. If you ever want to restore the default settings, just reset the NVRAM or use the appropriate reactivation command.
Would you disable auto-boot, or do you find it useful? Let us know in the comments!
