>

Shorten the Display Sleep Timer with pmset

Make the screen lock sooner by setting the display-sleep delay on battery and charger at once.

macOSsleeppmsetlockscreenMedium risk
Run sudo pmset -a displaysleep 10 to make the display sleep — and with password-requirement on, lock — after 10 minutes.

01Command

Command
$ sudo pmset -a displaysleep 10

02What it does

The faster the display sleeps, the sooner the lock screen appears when you walk away, provided 'Require password after sleep' is enabled. pmset -a applies the setting to both battery and power-adapter profiles in one command; use -b or -c to set them separately. Check the current value first with pmset -g | grep displaysleep so you can restore it later.

03Risk

RiskMedium risk
RequirementsAdministrator password for sudo; pair with 'Require password after sleep' in System Settings → Lock Screen.
!Warning: This is a power-management setting, not a security toggle by itself — it only protects you if the password requirement is on. Aggressively short timers can interrupt presentations and video viewing.

04Undo

Undo
$ sudo pmset -a displaysleep <previous value>  # check with pmset -g | grep displaysleep

05Sources

  • pmset - power management settings
    SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Documents pmset -a displaysleep N for setting the display sleep timer on all power sources.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: Security & Privacy

06Related solutions

See What Is Keeping Your Mac Awake: pmset -g assertions
macOSsleeppmsetPower & Sleep

List every power assertion — the named reason an app, audio stream, or screen share blocks sleep.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17