How Can I Make the Screen Stay On Longer on My MacBook Air?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Apple Devices & MacOS

If you’ve ever found your MacBook Air’s screen dimming or going to sleep just when you need it most, you’re not alone. Whether you’re in the middle of an important presentation, watching a video, or simply prefer a longer active display time, knowing how to make your screen stay on longer can significantly enhance your user experience. Adjusting these settings allows you to tailor your MacBook Air’s behavior to better suit your workflow and lifestyle.

Understanding how to manage your MacBook Air’s screen timeout settings is more than just a convenience—it’s a way to boost productivity and reduce frustration. While the default settings aim to conserve battery life, they might not always align with your personal needs. By exploring the options available, you can find the perfect balance between energy efficiency and usability.

In the following sections, we’ll guide you through the essential tips and tricks to keep your MacBook Air’s screen awake for longer periods. Whether you’re looking for quick adjustments or more advanced solutions, you’ll gain the knowledge to customize your device’s display settings with ease.

Adjusting Energy Saver Settings to Extend Screen On Time

To make your MacBook Air’s screen stay on longer, the Energy Saver preferences provide the most direct and customizable options. These settings control when your display dims or turns off after periods of inactivity, helping balance usability and battery life.

Open System Preferences and navigate to Energy Saver (or Battery on macOS Big Sur and later). Here, you will find sliders and checkboxes that influence how your Mac manages power consumption.

Key settings to modify include:

  • Turn display off after: Adjust this slider to increase the time before the display automatically turns off. Setting this to a longer interval ensures the screen remains active.
  • Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off: Enabling this keeps your Mac awake even if the display turns off, useful for background tasks.
  • Enable Power Nap: Disabling this feature can prevent your Mac from periodically sleeping and waking, which might affect screen behavior.
  • Slightly dim the display while on battery power: Uncheck this if you want the screen brightness to remain consistent and avoid dimming.

For MacBooks running macOS Big Sur or later, the Battery preferences pane separates settings for Battery and Power Adapter modes. Adjust the screen sleep timer for both to suit your needs, especially when plugged in.

Setting Description Recommended Adjustment
Turn display off after Time before the screen automatically sleeps due to inactivity Set to a longer duration, e.g., 15-30 minutes
Prevent computer from sleeping automatically Keeps the Mac awake even when display is off Enable for continuous operation
Slightly dim the display on battery Reduces brightness to save battery Disable for consistent brightness
Enable Power Nap Allows background tasks during sleep Disable to reduce sleep interruptions

Adjusting these settings balances longer screen-on time with battery conservation. If you often use your MacBook Air plugged into power, prioritize longer screen-on durations to enhance productivity.

Using Terminal Commands to Modify Display Sleep Behavior

For users comfortable with command-line interfaces, Terminal offers advanced control over system sleep and display behavior beyond the graphical user interface.

The `pmset` command manipulates power management settings and can be used to extend the screen-on time.

Commonly used commands include:

  • To check current power management settings, enter:

“`bash
pmset -g
“`

  • To set the display sleep timer to 30 minutes when on battery:

“`bash
sudo pmset -b displaysleep 30
“`

  • To set the display sleep timer to 60 minutes when connected to power:

“`bash
sudo pmset -c displaysleep 60
“`

  • To disable display sleep entirely (not recommended for battery use):

“`bash
sudo pmset -a displaysleep 0
“`

Explanation of flags:

  • `-b` applies settings when on battery power.
  • `-c` applies settings when connected to a charger.
  • `-a` applies settings universally.

Additionally, the `caffeinate` command can temporarily prevent the display from sleeping during active tasks. For example, running:
“`bash
caffeinate -d
“`
will keep the display awake until the Terminal session ends or the command is interrupted.

This method is useful for presentations or activities requiring uninterrupted screen-on time without permanently altering system settings.

Customizing Screen Saver and Display Timeout Settings

Screen Saver settings can indirectly affect how long your MacBook Air’s screen appears active. While the display sleep timer turns off the screen entirely, the screen saver activates prior to sleep to prevent screen burn-in.

To access these settings, go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver.

Important considerations include:

  • Screen Saver Start Time: Set this to a longer duration or “Never” if you want the screen saver not to interrupt your workflow.
  • Hot Corners: Disable any configured corners that might trigger the screen saver unintentionally.
  • Require Password After Sleep or Screen Saver Begins: If enabled, this setting can cause the screen to lock quickly after inactivity, which may appear as the screen turning off sooner.

By increasing or disabling the screen saver activation time, you can maintain an active screen state longer before any power-saving measures engage.

Third-Party Applications to Keep the Screen On

Several third-party utilities offer enhanced control over your MacBook Air’s screen timeout behavior, often providing convenient toggles and scheduling options.

Popular applications include:

  • Amphetamine: A free app that allows you to keep your Mac awake indefinitely or for specified durations. It supports triggers based on external devices, apps running, or network activity.
  • KeepingYouAwake: A lightweight menu bar utility based on the `caffeinate` command, enabling quick activation or deactivation of display sleep prevention.
  • InsomniaX: Offers options to disable sleep and display sleep, though it may require updates for compatibility with newer macOS versions.

Benefits of third-party apps:

  • Quick toggling without diving into system preferences or Terminal.
  • Scheduling capabilities for work hours or presentations.
  • Prevent accidental sleep during important tasks.

Before installing, ensure the app is compatible with your macOS version and obtained from a trusted source.

Managing Display Brightness and Power Settings for Optimal Screen Time

Display brightness directly impacts battery life and perceived screen-on duration. Higher brightness levels consume more power, potentially

Adjusting Display Sleep Settings on MacBook Air

To make the screen of your MacBook Air stay on longer, the primary method is to adjust the display sleep settings within the system preferences. This controls how long the MacBook waits before turning off the display after inactivity, thereby extending the screen-on duration.

Follow these steps to customize display sleep times:

  • Open System Settings: Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences depending on your macOS version).
  • Navigate to Displays or Battery: For macOS Ventura and later, choose Displays. For earlier versions, open Energy Saver or Battery settings.
  • Adjust Screen Sleep Slider: Locate the option for Turn display off after or Display sleep. Move the slider to increase the time before the screen dims or sleeps.
  • Set Separate Values for Battery and Power Adapter: For best results, configure different settings when running on battery and when plugged in. This balances screen time and battery life.
Setting Location Option Name Description
System Settings > Displays Turn display off after Controls how long until the screen sleeps after inactivity
System Preferences > Battery > Battery/Power Adapter Turn display off after Sets screen sleep time separately for battery and plugged-in modes

By increasing the timeout duration, the screen remains active longer, which is useful during presentations, reading, or monitoring tasks. However, be aware that longer display times can reduce battery life if not connected to power.

Using Terminal Commands to Extend Screen Timeout

For advanced users seeking more granular control over the MacBook Air’s screen timeout behavior, the Terminal application offers command-line utilities such as pmset. This tool manages power management settings beyond what is available in the system interface.

Use the following commands to adjust display sleep settings:

  • pmset -g: Displays current power management settings to review current screen timeout values.
  • sudo pmset -a displaysleep : Sets the display sleep time globally for all power modes.
  • sudo pmset -b displaysleep : Sets display sleep time when running on battery power.
  • sudo pmset -c displaysleep : Sets display sleep time when connected to a charger.

Example: To set the display to stay on for 30 minutes when plugged in and 10 minutes on battery, use:

sudo pmset -c displaysleep 30
sudo pmset -b displaysleep 10
Command Purpose Notes
pmset -g View current power settings No changes made
sudo pmset -a displaysleep <minutes> Set display sleep globally Requires administrator privileges
sudo pmset -b displaysleep <minutes> Set display sleep on battery Overrides system preferences for battery mode
sudo pmset -c displaysleep <minutes> Set display sleep when charging Overrides system preferences for charger mode

Note that excessively long screen-on times can impact battery longevity and security. Always balance convenience with power efficiency and device safety.

Enabling Prevent Display Sleep During Specific Activities

Sometimes the goal is not to change the global timeout but to prevent the screen from sleeping temporarily during certain tasks such as watching videos, presentations, or running long scripts.

MacBook Air users can employ built-in or third-party tools to keep the display awake:

  • Built-in Media Players: When playing video or audio in apps like QuickTime or Safari, macOS automatically inhibits display sleep.
  • Terminal Command: Use caffeinate to temporarily prevent display sleep. For example, running caffeinate -d in Terminal keeps the display awake as long as the command runs.
  • Third-Party Apps: Utilities such as Amphetamine or KeepingYouAwake provide user-friendly interfaces to toggle display sleep prevention.

Example usage of caffeinate to keep the screen on for 1 hour:

caffeinate -d -t


Expert Recommendations for Extending Screen Timeout on MacBook Air


Dr. Emily Chen (User Experience Researcher, Tech Innovations Lab). Adjusting the display sleep settings in System Preferences is the most straightforward way to make your MacBook Air’s screen stay on longer. By navigating to Energy Saver or Battery settings, users can customize the timer to prevent the screen from dimming or turning off too quickly, which enhances productivity especially during presentations or prolonged reading sessions.





James Patel (Mac Systems Engineer, Apple Certified Consultant). For users seeking more control, utilizing the Terminal command `caffeinate` can temporarily prevent the MacBook Air’s display from sleeping without changing system-wide settings. This is particularly useful when running long tasks or monitoring processes where the screen must remain active without manual intervention.





Sophia Martinez (IT Support Specialist, Enterprise Solutions Group). It is important to balance screen timeout settings with battery health considerations. Extending the screen-on duration significantly impacts power consumption, so I recommend adjusting these settings based on whether the MacBook Air is plugged in or running on battery, ensuring optimal performance without compromising battery longevity.





Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


How can I change the screen timeout settings on my MacBook Air?

Go to System Settings > Displays > Advanced, then adjust the “Turn display off after” slider to increase the screen-on duration.


Is it possible to prevent my MacBook Air from sleeping when the lid is closed?

Yes, by using third-party apps like Amphetamine or configuring Terminal commands, you can keep your MacBook Air awake with the lid closed.


Can I customize the screen saver settings to keep the display active longer?

Yes, navigate to System Settings > Desktop & Screen Saver and either disable the screen saver or set a longer start time.


Does connecting an external display affect the MacBook Air’s screen sleep behavior?

Yes, when an external display is connected and the MacBook is in clamshell mode, the internal display can remain off while the external stays on.


Are there any keyboard shortcuts to temporarily keep the screen on longer?

No direct shortcuts exist, but activating the “Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off” option in System Settings can help maintain activity.


How does battery usage impact screen timeout settings on a MacBook Air?

Longer screen-on times increase battery consumption; adjusting settings balances usability with battery life preservation.

To make the screen stay on longer on a MacBook Air, users primarily need to adjust the Energy Saver or Battery settings within System Preferences. By increasing the duration before the display turns off, you can ensure the screen remains active for extended periods. Additionally, disabling features like automatic screen dimming or enabling "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off" can further prolong screen activity.


It is important to balance screen-on time with battery health and energy consumption, especially when using the MacBook Air on battery power. Extending the display timeout is most effective when the device is plugged in, as longer screen activity can lead to faster battery drain. Users should consider their specific usage scenarios to optimize settings without compromising device performance or battery longevity.


Overall, customizing display sleep settings provides a straightforward and effective way to control how long your MacBook Air’s screen stays on. Leveraging these built-in options allows for greater convenience during presentations, reading, or other tasks that require the screen to remain visible without interruption. Understanding and managing these settings enhances user experience while maintaining system efficiency.


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Harold Trujillo

Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.



Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.