How to Change Screen Lock Time on Mac

Leaving your Mac’s screen turned on when you’re not using it can cause unnecessary battery drain. Earlier, when CRT monitors were still in use, screen savers prevented images from being burned into the screen.

Screen burn-in happens when a particular stationary image is displayed on the screen for an extended period, leading to ghost-like pictures of that image being burned permanently. Modern-day screens do not require screen savers, but they help prevent other people from seeing your screen when you’re away from your computer. 

If you want to change the screen lock time on your Mac, keep reading this article as we will explain how you can do that, along with additional tips and tricks. 

How to Change Screen Lock Time on Mac?

You can adjust when your screen goes to sleep on Mac; read the steps given below to see how it is done. 

  • Sign in to your Mac. 
  • Head over to the menu bar and choose the Apple logo. 
  • Click on System Preferences from the list and head over to the Battery tab. 
  • Click on Battery from the side menu and use the slider to change the time after which your Mac’s display will turn off. 
  • Head over to the Power Adapter tab and adjust the slider to change the time after which your Mac’s display will turn off when plugged in.
How do I change inactivity timeout on Mac
How to Change Screen Lock Time on Mac
  • Subsequently, to restore default settings, click on the Restore defaults button at the bottom of the window. 
  • Now, click the back button to go to the main page in the Preference window and click on the Security & Privacy tab. 
  • From here, check the box next to the Require password option and choose the time after which your password is required to log in to Mac after it goes to sleep.

Read How to Turn Off iCloud Photos on Mac

How to Enable Screen Saver on Mac?

Read the instructions given below to learn how to enable screen saver on Mac. 

  • Sign in to your Mac. 
  • Head over to the menu bar and choose the Apple logo.
  • Click on System Preferences from the list and head over to the Desktop & screen saver tab.
Change Screen Lock Time on Mac
Enable Screen Saver on Mac
  • Click on the Screen saver tab and check the box next to Show screen saver after. Adjust the timing as per your preference, and you’re done. 

Read How to Zoom in on Mac With Mouse

How to Add a Hot Corner on Mac?

You can add various apps on your lock screen using the hot corner feature on your Mac. Read the instructions given below to learn how it is done. 

  • Sign in to your Mac. 
  • Head over to the menu bar and choose the Apple logo.
  • Click on System Preferences from the list and head over to the Desktop & screen saver tab. 
  • Click on the Screen saver tab and choose Hot corners from the bottom of the window. 
  • A new pop-up window will open where you can select what apps you want to put in the four hot corners available.
How to Change Screen Lock Time on Mac
Add a Hot Corner on Mac
  • After selecting, click on OK, and you’re done. 

Read How to Sign Out of App Store on Mac

How to Lock Your Screen Using Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac?

Did you know Mac has a keyboard shortcut to enter the lock screen window? It is by far the easiest way to revert back to the lock screen without putting your Mac to sleep first. 

Simply, press the Control-Command-Q shortcut on your keyboard, and the screen will go back to the lock screen. 

However, be cautious that you do not hit the Command-Q shortcut, as this will shut down your Mac. This can be bad if you’re working on something important and haven’t saved it yet. 

How to Enter the Lock Screen Using Hot Corners on Mac?

The Hot Corners feature on Mac allows you to put the Mac, turn off Mac’s display, and revert back to the lock screen. Read the instructions provided below to learn how to do that. 

  • Sign in to your Mac. 
  • Head over to the menu bar and choose the Apple logo.
  • Click on System Preferences from the list and head over to the Desktop & screen saver tab. 
  • Click on the Screen saver tab and choose Hot corners from the bottom of the window. 
  • A new pop-up window will open where you can select what apps you want to put in the hot corners available. Select any corner you wish to and click on the drop-down menu beside it.
How do I stop my Mac screen from locking
  • Select the Lock screen and click on Ok. Now, whenever you move the cursor to that hot corner, your Mac will revert to its lock screen. 

Read How Do I Delete Bookmarks On My Mac

How to Prevent Your Mac From Going to Sleep When The Display is Turned Off?

Suppose you have a big file to download and need to let your Mac run overnight. If you do not change the sleep settings, your Mac will go to sleep after a certain amount of time when the display is switched off. Read the instructions provided below to learn how you can circumvent this issue. 

  • Sign in to your Mac. 
  • Head over to System Preferences from the Menu bar and click on the Battery tab. 
  • Select the Power adapter tab from the menu on the left side. 
  • Check the box next to the Prevent your Mac from automatically sleeping when the display is off option. This option is only available when your Mac is connected to the adapter and won’t work on battery power as it will go to sleep once the display is off. 

Read How To Make A Pdf File Smaller On Mac

Why Does My Screen Get Dimmer When I Disconnect My Mac From the Adapter?

You must’ve noticed that the screen on your Mac gets noticeably dimmer when you disconnect it from the adapter. This is because Macs have a setting to dim the screen when unplugged to save battery life. Read the instructions given below to learn how you can disable that. 

  • Sign in to your Mac. 
  • Head over to System Preferences from the Menu bar and click on the Battery tab. 
  • Select the Battery tab from the menu on the left side. 
  • Uncheck the box next to the Slight dim the display while on the battery power option, and you should be good. 

Conclusion

That’s it for this article, folks. We hope this article helped you understand how to change the screen lock time on your Mac. Be sure to check out other tips and tricks too.

You may also like the following mac tutorials: