Apple moved the controls. We built a better way.

Take control of when your Mac wakes up and shuts down — without having to wrestle with Terminal.

There was a time when scheduling your Mac’s power was straightforward. Apple’s Energy Saver settings provided a graphical interface that allowed users to configure automatic startup, wake and shutdown times without needing to enter a single command.

Then Apple Silicon arrived, and the familiar scheduling interface disappeared from many Macs. Apple’s approach increasingly centred on sleep, wake and an always-ready computing experience, leaving users who still wanted traditional power scheduling with a less convenient alternative: using Terminal and macOS’s built-in command-line tools.

The underlying power-management capabilities didn’t disappear entirely, but accessing them became much less approachable for everyday users.

We thought there should be a better way.

Meet Mac Power Scheduler

Mac Power Scheduler brings a simple graphical interface back to Mac power scheduling.

Designed specifically for Apple Silicon Macs, this lightweight utility makes it easier to configure supported power events through a clean, minimal interface. Instead of remembering complicated commands or manually entering them into Terminal, you can manage your schedule visually.

Choose your days. Set your times. Review your commands. Apply your schedule.

It’s a straightforward solution to a frustrating problem — built for people who want their computers to work around their lives, not the other way around.

Your Mac. Your Schedule.

Whether you use your Mac for work, creative projects, home-server duties or everyday computing, there are plenty of reasons to want more control over when it powers on or off.

Perhaps you want your Mac ready before you begin work. Maybe you want it to shut down automatically at the end of the day. Or perhaps you simply prefer having control over your computer’s routine.

Mac Power Scheduler is designed to make supported power scheduling more accessible, without requiring you to become a Terminal expert.

Features

Simple power scheduling

Configure supported power events using a graphical interface instead of manually typing command-line instructions.

Flexible scheduling controls

Configure wake/startup and shutdown independently, where supported, so you can set up the events that suit your routine.

Weekday selection

Choose the days relevant to your schedule, subject to the scheduling capabilities available through macOS.

Command preview

Review the commands the app intends to submit before applying changes. You can see what you’re asking macOS to do rather than blindly running commands.

Current schedule inspection

Check the schedule reported by macOS to help you understand which power events are currently configured.

Confirmation before applying changes

Review and confirm scheduling changes before the app applies them, helping you stay in control of your configuration.

A clean, minimal interface

Mac Power Scheduler is designed to focus on the essentials. Its restrained, dark interface keeps the controls accessible without unnecessary clutter or distractions.

A Controller, Not a Replacement

Mac Power Scheduler does not replace macOS’s power-management system or install an entirely separate one. It acts as a graphical controller for Apple’s built-in pmset utility, which macOS uses to configure and inspect supported power-management settings.

Instead of requiring you to open Terminal and remember the correct command syntax, the app provides a more approachable way to interact with those tools.

When you apply a schedule, the app submits the relevant commands to macOS. The operating system remains responsible for handling the scheduled events.

The app is the interface. macOS does the work.

This approach keeps the utility focused and lightweight, using existing system functionality rather than reinventing it.

Actual wake and startup behaviour depends on the Mac’s hardware, macOS version, power state and configuration. Not every Mac supports every type of scheduled power event, and shutdowns may be affected by system conditions.

Why We Built It

We believe useful software should make everyday tasks easier, not more complicated.

Apple’s shift towards an always-ready computing experience makes sense for many users. Sleep and wake are convenient, and modern Macs are designed to be ready when needed.

But not everyone wants their computer to follow the same routine.

For users who preferred the old Energy Saver scheduling interface, the removal of those familiar controls created an unnecessary hurdle. The functionality became less accessible, and something that was once a simple settings adjustment could now require command-line knowledge.

Mac Power Scheduler is our answer to that frustration.

We haven’t reinvented the wheel. We’ve made it easier to turn.

Built for Apple Silicon

Mac Power Scheduler is developed for Apple Silicon Macs and is not intended for Intel-based Macs.

The project focuses on delivering a straightforward experience for users running compatible versions of macOS on Apple’s newer processor architecture.

Minimum macOS version and detailed compatibility requirements will be published as they are confirmed through testing.

Free to Use. Independently Built.

Mac Power Scheduler is a free, independent project. There is no purchase price required to use the app.

It’s being developed around a simple principle: useful utilities should be accessible to the people who need them.

As an independent project, development, testing, maintenance and distribution all take time and resources. If you find Mac Power Scheduler useful and would like to support its continued development, voluntary contributions are welcome.

Your support can help us improve the app, maintain the project and work towards a more seamless distribution experience.