Make your Mac ask for a password after sleep or the screen saver
Quick answer
In System Settings, open Lock Screen and set Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to Immediately.
Why it happens
Your Mac only asks for a password after the delay set in Lock Screen. If that's Never or a long time, it wakes straight to your desktop. Automatic login or an Apple Watch can also get you in without typing, which looks the same.
How to fix it
Open System Settings from the Apple menu and click Lock Screen in the sidebar.
Find Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off and choose Immediately. If your Mac asks for your password to confirm, type it.
Lock Screen›Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off
Test it: choose Lock Screen from the Apple menu, or press Control-Command-Q. Your Mac should ask for your password straight away.
Apple menu›Lock Screen
Still not fixed?
If your Mac goes straight to the desktop when it starts up, automatic login is on. In Users & Groups, set Automatically log in as to Off.
Users & Groups›Automatically log in as
If you wear an Apple Watch, it may be letting you in without a prompt. That's working as intended. To always type the password, turn off your watch in Touch ID & Password.
Touch ID & Password›Apple Watch
If the setting is greyed out, a school or company profile may control it. Ask whoever manages the Mac.
If Immediately is set and your Mac still wakes without asking, restart it and test again, then contact Apple Support.
Questions people ask
How do I make my Mac lock when I close the lid?
Set Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to Immediately in Lock Screen settings. Closing the lid puts the Mac to sleep, and it asks for the password when you open it.
How do I lock my Mac quickly?
Press Control-Command-Q, or choose Lock Screen from the Apple menu.
Why does my Mac open without a password?
Require password may be set to Never or a long delay, or automatic login or an Apple Watch is letting you in.
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