Press the power button and wait for the startup screen

To turn on an Apple computer, locate the power button and press it once. On most Mac models, the power button is a physical button you press with your finger — not a touch-sensitive area. The location varies by model: on iMacs and Mac minis, it's usually on the back or side of the machine. On MacBook laptops, it's in the top-right corner of the keyboard. On Mac Studios, it's on the back panel.

After you press the button, you'll see the Apple logo appear on your screen within a few seconds, followed by a progress bar. The startup process typically takes 30 seconds to two minutes, depending on how much software your Mac has and how long it's been since the last restart. During this time, your Mac is loading its operating system — don't press the button again or unplug the machine.

Once the startup is complete, you'll see the login screen. If this is the first time you're turning on the Mac, you may see a setup assistant instead, which will walk you through creating a user account and connecting to Wi-Fi.

Key Takeaways

  • The power button is a physical button, not a touch area, and its location depends on your Mac model — check the back, side, or keyboard corner.
  • After pressing the button, the Apple logo and progress bar appear within seconds, and the full startup takes 30 seconds to two minutes.
  • If your Mac doesn't respond after 30 seconds, make sure it's plugged in and the power outlet is working.
  • On first startup, you'll see a setup assistant that guides you through account creation and Wi-Fi connection.

What to do if the Mac doesn't turn on

If you press the power button and nothing happens, check that the Mac is plugged into a working power outlet. Test the outlet by plugging in another device — a lamp or phone charger — to confirm the outlet has power. If the outlet works but your Mac still doesn't respond, try a different outlet or power cable if you have one available.

On MacBook laptops, the battery may be completely drained. Plug the charger in and wait 30 seconds, then press the power button. The charging light on the power adapter will glow when it's connected, even if the Mac doesn't turn on when ready. Leave it plugged in for at least 15 minutes before trying again.

If the Mac still won't start after these steps, the power supply or internal hardware may need service. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to have the machine checked.

Understanding the startup sequence and what you'll see

When you press the power button, your Mac goes through a specific sequence. First, the power light illuminates (if your model has one). Then the Apple logo appears on the screen, usually within three to five seconds. Below the logo, a progress bar fills from left to right as the operating system loads.

During this time, your Mac is reading files from its storage drive and preparing the system. You may hear the fan spin up briefly. This is normal. On newer Macs with Apple Silicon chips (M1, M2, M3, and later), the startup is usually faster than on older Intel-based Macs.

Once the progress bar completes, the login screen appears. You'll see a list of user accounts on the Mac, or a single account name if only one exists. Click your account name or picture, then enter your password to log in.

Restarting vs. waking from sleep

If your Mac is in sleep mode rather than fully off, pressing the power button will wake it instead of starting it up. Sleep mode uses very little power and wakes almost when ready — usually within one or two seconds. You'll see the screen come to life without the Apple logo or progress bar.

To fully restart a Mac that's already on, go to the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select "Restart," and confirm. This is different from turning the Mac off and on again. A restart clears temporary files and can fix minor software problems.

To turn the Mac completely off, go to the Apple menu and select "Shut Down." The Mac will close all programs and turn off. When you press the power button next, it will go through the full startup sequence again.

Troubleshooting a Mac that's stuck during startup

Occasionally a Mac will get stuck on the Apple logo or progress bar and won't finish starting up. If this happens, wait at least five minutes — sometimes startup is just slow. If the progress bar hasn't moved in five minutes, force the Mac to shut down by holding the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black.

Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button again to try starting up once more. If the Mac gets stuck again in the same place, it may have a software problem that requires recovery mode. This is a special startup mode that lets you repair or reinstall the operating system. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for help with recovery mode, as the steps vary by Mac model and operating system version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is the power button on my Mac model?

The location depends on your Mac type. On iMacs, it's usually on the back lower-right. On Mac minis, check the back panel. On MacBooks, it's the top-right key on the keyboard. On Mac Studios, it's on the back. If you're unsure, check the manual that came with your Mac or search Apple's support site for your specific model.

Is it bad to force shut down my Mac by holding the power button?

Forcing a shutdown by holding the power button for 10 seconds should only be done when the Mac is completely unresponsive. It's not ideal because it doesn't let programs close properly, but it won't damage the hardware. Use it only when the Mac is stuck and won't respond to normal shutdown commands.

Why does my Mac take so long to start up?

Startup time depends on how much software is installed, how full the storage drive is, and how long it's been since the last restart. Macs with many programs set to launch at startup will be slower. If startup takes more than three minutes regularly, your Mac may benefit from a restart or storage cleanup.

Can I turn on my Mac remotely?

Most Macs cannot be turned on remotely if they're completely off. However, if your Mac is in sleep mode and you're on the same Wi-Fi network, you can wake it using another Apple device through the "Wake on Network Access" setting. To turn a completely off Mac on remotely, you would need special hardware like a smart power outlet.