Keep the Mac awake automatically with Amphetamine
One click in the menu bar stops the Mac sleeping, and Triggers do it on their own while an app runs or a display is connected.
Works on: macOS Big Sur 11 and later · checked on macOS Golden Gate 27
Published: · Source: Miguel McFly
A long export or download that fails because the Mac went to sleep is avoidable. Amphetamine, free on the Mac App Store with no in-app purchases, keeps it awake on request from the menu bar.
Start a session from its menu and choose how long it runs: indefinitely, for a set time, until a given hour, while a particular app is open or until a file finishes downloading. You can also decide whether the display is allowed to turn off in the meantime.
The part worth setting up is Triggers, rules that start a session without you touching anything. Amphetamine can keep the Mac awake whenever an external display is connected, a certain app is running, the battery is charging or a specific drive is mounted, among other conditions.
If you would rather not install anything and are comfortable in Terminal, the
built-in caffeinate command covers the manual side of the job.
Apps mentioned
- Amphetamine Free
Keep-awake utility for the menu bar, with no in-app purchases.
Related tips
Put the controls you use most in the menu bar
Bluetooth, AirDrop and the rest can sit permanently at the top right instead of two clicks deep.
Keep the Mac awake from Terminal
caffeinate stops the Mac from sleeping for as long as you say, or until a command finishes.
Stretch the battery with Low Power Mode
Energy Mode trades a little performance for battery life, separately on battery and on the power adapter.