How to set up and use a shutdown timer on Mac for easy automation

Say goodbye to the cumbersome! Easily set up Mac shutdown timer

Many people have never valued the shutdown timer function of a Mac, but it is actually very practical! It not only prevents the Mac from running unnecessary, but also extends the service life of the device. This article will give a comprehensive explanation of how to set up and use a shutdown timer on your Mac, covering a variety of methods such as built-in functions and third-party applications.

How to set up Mac shutdown timer

There are many ways to set up a Mac to automatically shut down at a specific time: built-in features, third-party applications, or terminal commands (applicable to advanced users, and incorrect commands may corrupt data). I personally recommend using a third-party app because it is simpler and more intuitive.

Setting the shutdown timer method	Operation steps
One-click Almighty application	Install and open Almighty > System > Click the gear icon under "Scheduled Shutdown" > Configuration > Set Shutdown Time > Close the window > Enable "Scheduled Shutdown".
Using the terminal	Open Terminal> Enter sudo shutdown -h > Press Enter.
Using the script editor	Open Script Editor > Create New Document > Enter delay 1800 -- 时间以秒为单位(1800 秒= 30 分钟) tell application "System Events" to shut down > Click File > Export > Select the application as the file format.

If the timer does not work, please refer to the troubleshooting guide for Mac not shutting down.

One-click schedule shutdown: Almighty application

When I first looked for a Mac shutdown timer, the most important thing I valued was convenience. I hope it can be started with just one click if it is set. That's exactly what the Almighty app is - it offers a range of Mac shortcuts, including an automatic shutdown timer.

The Almighty app features far more than setting up automatic shutdown. It can set shortcuts for almost any operation, such as clearing the trash, switching dark mode, and even customizing the action (script). If you're passionate about automating and customizing your Mac experience, this app is definitely worth a try.

Shut down using Almighty:

1. Install and open the Almighty app.
2. Click "System" in the menu on the left to find "Planned Shutdown".

3. Click the gear icon in the lower right corner of the shortcut > Configuration.
4. Set the hours or minutes, and then click the Close “x” icon to return to the shortcut page.

5. Enable Schedule Shutdown to activate the timer. Now you have a one-click Mac automatic shutdown timer. It is recommended to add shortcuts to favorites to make them easier to find.

Built-in power plan?

If you don't want to use any third-party apps, wondering how to automatically shut down your Macbook Pro?

Previously, there was an option in the "Power Saving" feature that allowed you to schedule your Mac shutdown, sleep, or wake up. This is a great feature for those who have their Mac run all night or need to restart it at a specific time.

Unfortunately, starting with macOS Ventura and later, the "Power Saving" feature has been changed. Apple has canceled the option to schedule shutdown. Now you can still schedule sleep or wake-up times, but automatic shutdown is no longer a built-in feature for macOS.

While I set the shutdown timer using the Almighty app, this may not be the best solution for many users. Apple also did not explain why it removed the planned shutdown feature.

But don't worry, there is still another built-in method to set a shutdown timer on your Mac - the terminal command.

Tip: Speaking of improving productivity, I also want to recommend an app called QuitAll. The application allows you to quickly close multiple programs running in the background. It is perfect for optimizing Mac speed and preventing devices from overrunning.

Schedule shutdown timer through terminal

Currently, the only way to set up an automatic shutdown of your Mac without using a third-party application is to use terminal commands. It's a little technical, but don't worry, I'll break it down step by step.

Here are the steps to schedule a shutdown using the terminal:

1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal, or simply press Command 空格键to find it through Spotlight search.
2. Enter sudo shutdown -h to set shutdown timer> Press Enter. For example, if you want to set a 60-minute shutdown timer, enter sudo shutdown -h 60 and press Enter.
3. Alternatively, you can set the exact shutdown time by entering sudo shutdown -h HH:MM . Just provide the 24-hour format time and press Enter. For example, if you want your Mac to shut down at 9:00 pm, enter sudo shutdown -h 21:00 > Enter.

If you use terminals frequently, you may be looking for different ways to open a terminal on your Mac and find the most convenient option.

Create a desktop shortcut to shut down timer

Desktop shortcuts are very convenient for accessing applications or features you use frequently, including setting a shutdown timer on your Mac. While applications like Almighty do a great job, you can also create your own shutdown shortcut using the script editor app built in macOS.

Create a shutdown timer using the script editor:

1. Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Script Editor.
2. Click New Document > Enter delay 1800 -- 时间以秒为单位(1800 秒= 30 分钟) tell application "System Events" to shut down . This script will shut down your Mac. You can change the number of seconds and minutes in the command as needed.
3. Then, you need to save the script. Click File > Export in the menu bar.
4. Select the application as the file format.

Simply double-click on this application to start the shutdown timer.

Tip: If you use a terminal for a built-in shutdown timer, then I recommend using Keysmith to create your desktop shortcut. This application basically records a series of actions and saves them as a shortcut icon on the desktop. For example, you can record a shortcut to launch an application or backup in one click, and of course shut down your Mac.

How to disable shutdown timer

I set up the Mac shutdown timer several times, but found that the plan for the day changed, or I had other work to continue. Anyway, canceling the timer is very easy.

You just need:

1. Switch back to the terminal.
2. Enter the shutdown timer command sudo pmset schedule cancel all .

If you want to set up a countdown on your Mac and know exactly when it will shut down, check out your guide on using the countdown timer.

Useful shutdown alternatives

While the focus of this guide is on setting up a Mac shutdown timer, it is worth mentioning that putting your computer to sleep is actually better than shutting down completely:

• Sleep mode allows you to keep your Mac's current state (such as the apps you are running and the website you have opened) while using only a small amount of battery.
• What most people don't realize is that shutting down your Mac regularly can actually increase wear and tear on the components inside your device due to the power cycle. Not much, but it's still worth considering, especially if you want your Mac to be as long as possible.

There is a great app to manage power settings on your Mac called One Switch. With it, you can put your Mac's monitor to sleep and lock the screen and keyboard—all in one click. It's much faster and much more convenient than shutting down your Mac regularly.

Mac shutdown timer: Completed

That's it, you've learned everything you need to set up a shutdown timer on your Mac device! Whether creating macros through the Almighty app or through the Keysmith app, you will find no shortage of options when you customize your Mac's power settings and make automatic shutdown/sleep mode part of your daily workflow.

Best of all, you can start using all the apps I mentioned with a Setapp subscription, including One Switch and QuitAll. This is a great platform with over 250 macOS and iOS tools that you can access with a 7-day trial period, which should be enough for you to test everything and see which ones best for you!

FAQ

How to set up a Mac to shut down at a specific time?

To get your Mac to shut down at a specific time, you can use Almighty:

• Install and open Almighty.
• Click System > Plan Shutdown.
• Click the gear icon > Configuration.
• Set the hours or minutes, and then click the Close “x” icon to return to the shortcut page.
• Enable Schedule Shutdown to activate the timer.

How to set a shutdown timer for Mac?

To set a shutdown timer for your Mac, you can use Apple's Script Editor app:

1. Go to Applications > Utilities > Script Editor.
2. Click New Document > Enter delay 1800 -- 时间以秒为单位(1800 秒= 30 分钟) tell application "System Events" to shut down .
3. Click File > Export in the menu bar.
4. Select the application as the file format.

How to get my Mac to shut down after 1 hour?

A good way to get your Mac to shut down after 1 hour is to use a third-party app called Almighty. This application is especially useful if you don't want to do anything too technical, such as using a terminal and entering commands. Simply configure the "Scheduled Shutdown" function in the settings to shut down after 1 hour.

How to schedule shutdown on your Mac?

As of now, Apple still does not provide a shutdown timer function as the Mac used to have under "power saving". Fortunately, you can still set up a power plan for Mac shutdown via the terminal using the command sudo pmset repeat shutdown [day] [time] .

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