Stop your MacBook turning on when you open the lid or plug it in

Why it happens

MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models with Apple silicon are built to start up as soon as you open the lid or connect the power adapter, even after a full shut down. It saves you pressing the power button. Apple added a setting for it that only Terminal can change, so there's nothing to find in System Settings.

How to fix it

1. Check it's this feature. It happens when you lift the lid or plug in the charger on a MacBook that was shut down. If your Mac was only asleep, waking when you open the lid is normal, and this command doesn't change that.

2. Open Terminal. Press Command-Space, type Terminal and press Return.

3. Copy the command from the Terminal section below, paste it into Terminal and press Return. When it asks for your Mac login password, type it and press Return. Nothing appears while you type, which is normal.

4. Shut down your Mac, close the lid, then open it again. It should stay off until you press the power button, which is also the Touch ID button.

5. Want only one of the two? The note in the Terminal section says which value stops just the lid or just the power adapter from starting it.

Still not fixed?

1. Changed your mind? Run the undo command from the same section, and your Mac goes back to starting up on its own.

2. If Terminal won't accept your password, make sure you're logged in to an administrator account, or ask whoever manages your Mac.

3. These steps are for Apple silicon MacBooks. Older Intel MacBooks behave in a similar way but use a different setting, so this command doesn't apply to them.

4. If your Mac starts up while the lid stays closed and nothing is plugged in, that isn't this feature. Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, because the lid sensor or power button may need checking.