MacBook owners may encounter various situations that require turning off the device. In some cases, this is a standard shutdown, in others, it is forced when the system freezes. We tell you about all the ways to turn off a MacBook.
Shutdown via menu
The easiest and safest way to shut down your MacBook is to use the Apple menu. This method ensures that all processes are shut down correctly and helps avoid data loss.
To shut down your MacBook the standard way:
- Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of the screen;
- Select the Disable option;
- Confirm the action if the corresponding window appears.
This method terminates all open applications and active system processes, which is especially important to prevent data loss. Before shutting down, it is recommended to make sure that all important data is saved and all applications are closed to avoid unpleasant situations with data loss. Regularly shutting down the device can also have a positive effect on battery life.
Forced shutdown
Sometimes your MacBook stops responding to commands and the standard shutdown method becomes impossible. In this case, you need to use a forced shutdown.
To force shut down your device, press and hold the power button for 5-10 seconds until the screen turns off. Keep in mind that this will erase any unsaved data, so use this method only as a last resort.
Frequent use of forced shutdown may negatively affect the operation of the device, as it may lead to the accumulation of software errors and failures. If freezes occur regularly, it is recommended to diagnose the system or contact support.
Shutdown using a keyboard shortcut
macOS provides the ability to shut down your device using a keyboard shortcut. This is useful if you need to quickly shut down your work without using your mouse or trackpad.
Use Control + Option + Command + Power button (or Touch ID). This combination will prompt you to save unsaved data and then begin the shutdown process. If you need to restart your device, use Control + Command + Power button – this often helps resolve frozen app issues without shutting down completely.
Shutdown via commands in the terminal
For those who prefer terminal control, macOS provides the ability to shut down the device using two commands.
Shutdown
This method is useful for advanced users who need more control over the system.
To shut down your MacBook using the “shutdown” command:
- Open Terminal (find it via Spotlight or in the Utilities folder);
- Enter the command: sudo shutdown -h now ;
- Enter the administrator password and press Enter.
The shutdown -h now command will turn off the computer immediately. You can also specify a shutdown time, for example, sudo shutdown -h +10 will turn off the computer in 10 minutes. This is useful if you want to schedule the device to turn off automatically. The sudo shutdown -h 20:00 command allows you to schedule the shutdown for a specific time.
halt
Another command to shut down your MacBook via Terminal is halt. This command shuts down the system instantly without going through the normal shutdown procedure, making it similar to a forced shutdown.
- Open Terminal;
- Enter the command: sudo halt ;
- Enter the administrator password and wait for the system to complete its operation.
The “halt” command immediately terminates all processes, so it should be used with caution, as frequent use can lead to damage to the file system.
What to do if your MacBook won’t turn off?
If your device does not respond to attempts to turn it off and appears to be frozen, you can try the following steps:
- Check active applications . Sometimes the system does not allow you to shut down if there are open applications with unsaved data. Make sure all programs are closed.
- Force Quit Apps : Press Command + Option + Escape to open the Force Quit window, select the frozen app, and click Quit.
- Reset SMC (System Management Controller). In some cases, resetting the SMC, which is responsible for power management, helps. The reset procedure depends on the model of your device – it may involve turning off the power and pressing certain keys. It is recommended that you read the instructions on the Apple website for your model.
- Reset NVRAM . In rare cases, resetting NVRAM, which stores system settings, may help. To do this, turn off your MacBook, then turn it on and immediately hold down the Option + Command + P + R keys for about 20 seconds until the device reboots. This may help if the problem is caused by a bug in the system settings.