Change login screen timeout

Question

Change login screen timeout

Is there a way to change the time before the login screen goes back to sleep?

This is my scenario: when I arrive at work, I attach my MacBook to my external screen. It usually takes quite a few seconds for it to connect properly. In the meantime, I get a glass of water. Very often I find my-self re-entering my office and the login screen goes to sleep the second before I am about to enter the password. I then have to wait some more time before it re-connects to the external display. Not a big nuisance, I must admit. But I would only need another 10 seconds to be sure, and it would save me a mild annoyance in the morning 🙂

MacBook, macOS High Sierra (10.13.6)

Posted on Oct 19, 2018 1:31 AM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

137,169 points

Oct 19, 2018 4:33 AM in response to axel tidemann

"axel tidemann wrote:

Thanks for your replies, Eau Rouge and dialabrain - but this is not what I seek. Because of security concerns, I cannot turn off the password requirement, as you suggest. I want the password login screen to appear for slightly longer time, before it goes into sleep."

You're welcome but I didn't suggest you disable the password.

What I think you want is in System Preferences > Energy Saver. Lengthen the time of "Turn display off after:" and make sure "Prevent computer from sleeping…" is unchecked.

If that doesn't work for you there may or may not be a Terminal command.

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Answer 2

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,678 points

Oct 19, 2018 3:44 AM in response to axel tidemann

Open System Preferences> Security & Privacy> General, you can choose to deselect Require password xx mins after sleep or screensaver begins, you can also alter the time using the drop down, or you could uncheck Disable automatic login.

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Answer 3

Oct 19, 2018 5:31 AM in response to tygb

Thanks tygb, but this is not what I am looking for. I will illustrate:

1) Make sure your laptop has the following setup: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General: "Require password: immediately", and "Disable automatic login".

2) Close the lid of your laptop, have a stopwatch ready.

3) Open the lid, start the stopwatch, don't do anything, and count how many seconds passes before the screen turns black again. For me, this time is 30 seconds. I would like it to be a minute. That is the setting I am after. Hope this clarifies!

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

137,169 points

Oct 19, 2018 3:38 AM in response to axel tidemann

System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Showing Mojave but High Sierra is the same.

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Answer 5

tygb

Level 9

65,026 points

Oct 19, 2018 5:00 AM in response to axel tidemann

See this article macOS Sierra: Set sleep and wake times for your Mac

Keep the setting as per screen shot .

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Answer 6

Oct 19, 2018 4:20 AM in response to Eau Rouge

Thanks for your replies, Eau Rouge and dialabrain - but this is not what I seek. Because of security concerns, I cannot turn off the password requirement, as you suggest. I want the password login screen to appear for slightly longer time, before it goes into sleep.

To further explain: close your laptop. Open the lid, and you will see the login screen appear. After a period of inactivity, it will go back to sleep (with the lid open). I want this period to last a bit longer, that is all.

I imagine this might be a setting only available through Terminal, e.g. by modifying a variable of some sort.

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Answer 7

tygb

Level 9

65,026 points

Oct 19, 2018 5:42 AM in response to axel tidemann

For admin account , if you uncheck the box of disable automatic login it will prompt to enter admin password , but when file vault is on automatic login is disabled , the box for disable automatic login is always checked , and require password is set as immediately , in users and groups - login items - automatic login is kept as off .

You sit around with your stop watch and observe the time , the settings and timings you are looking is not set in the Mac your valued thoughts can be expressed to the link Product Feedback - Apple

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