Auto Start on MacBook Pro 2015

Question

Level 1

4 points

Auto Start on MacBook Pro 2015

Can anybody confirm that they have a Macbook Pro 2015 that auto starts when power is connected, or lid is lifted?

I would like my Macbook Pro mid 2015 (running Monterey) to auto boot when connected to power. I can see that the nvram auto-boot option is already set to true. I assume this is the command that changes that setting:

sudo nvram AutoBoot=%03

I've not yet tried this, as auto-boot seems to be set to true, with no effect, and some articles mention it only works on Macbooks from 2016.

Posted on Feb 1, 2026 11:05 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 1, 2026 11:43 AM in response to Apple-Flash

The 'Restart after power fail' is intended for use with desktop systems, typically intended to be "always-on". it is NOT useful for MacBook Pro or any BATTERY-capable Mac.

When external power is not available, the machine continues to run off battery. When external power is re-applied, it is incapable of booting up until it has accumulated a substantial battery charge.

This is not the feature you seek, and if it does not work for you no one will be surprised.

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Answer 2

Feb 1, 2026 2:52 PM in response to Apple-Flash

I think the feature you seek is "wake for network access'.

The tragic flaw is that It requires that there be a Sleep Proxy on your home network somewhere.

"Wake for network access" is a feature on Macs that allows the computer to wake from sleep when another device accesses its shared resources, such as files or printers. To enable this, go to System Settings, select Battery or Energy, and turn on "Wake for network access."

Set sleep and wake settings for your Mac - Apple Support

Share your Mac resources when it’s in sleep - Apple Support

"Devices that can act as an Apple Bonjour Sleep Proxy include Apple AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, AirPort Time Capsule, all generations of Apple TV, HomePod (2018), HomePod mini (2020), and [always-on] computers running Mac OS X Snow Leopard [or later] with Internet sharing enabled. These devices help reduce power consumption by allowing network services to remain available while the host device is in a low-power sleep mode."

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Answer 3

Apple-Flash Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 1, 2026 1:34 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi. Thanks doe your reply. Not sure we're talking about the same thing though. I'll explain what I am trying to do:

I remote access this 2015 Macbook Pro, but want to be able to start it up remotely - when I switch on the smart plug where the magsafe charger is plugged in.

I've read of others with 2016+ macbooks being able to achieve this with a command like that I mention, but I think these Macs are also capable of starting up when the lid is opened, and I'm not sure if the two features are somehow connected.

The battery will generally always be charged as the macbook is connected to the mains (smart plug) all the time except when switched off.

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Answer 4

Feb 1, 2026 3:24 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

It might be possible for a Router to send that wake-up packet directly, but I am not familiar with how to do that.

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