The Basic Power-On Steps

To turn on a Mac, locate the power button on your keyboard or the back of your machine, then press and hold it for a few seconds until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. The power button looks like a circle with a line at the top. On newer MacBook models, it is integrated into the Touch ID sensor in the top right corner of the keyboard. On older Macs and Mac minis, the button is usually on the back panel. Hold the button down — do not just tap it — until the screen lights up and you hear a startup sound (if your volume is turned up).

Once the Apple logo appears, you can release the button. Your Mac will take 30 seconds to a few minutes to fully start, depending on the model and how long it has been off. You will see a login screen asking for your password. Enter your password and press Enter, or click the arrow button next to the password field. If you have multiple user accounts on the Mac, you may need to select your account name first before entering the password.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears — a single tap will not start the Mac.
  • On MacBooks, the power button is the Touch ID sensor in the top right corner of the keyboard; on desktop Macs, it is usually on the back panel.
  • Startup takes 30 seconds to a few minutes depending on your Mac model and how recently it was shut down.
  • After the Apple logo appears, you will see a login screen where you enter your password to access your account.
  • If your Mac does not respond to the power button, check that it is plugged in and the battery is not completely drained.

Where the Power Button Is Located

The location of the power button depends on which Mac model you own. On MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models from 2016 onward, the power button is built into the Touch ID sensor in the top right corner of the keyboard. You press this same button to power on, power off, or wake the Mac from sleep. On older MacBook models (pre-2016), the power button is a separate physical button located in the top right corner of the keyboard.

On Mac mini and Mac Studio computers, the power button is on the back panel of the machine, usually near the power cable connection. On iMac models, the power button is on the back of the display stand, toward the bottom right. On Mac Pro tower computers, the power button is on the front panel. If you cannot find the button on your specific model, check the manual that came with your Mac or visit Apple's support website and search for your model name.

What Happens During Startup

When you press the power button, your Mac goes through a series of startup steps. First, the firmware (the software that runs before the operating system) checks the hardware to make sure everything is working. You will see the Apple logo on a black screen during this phase. Next, your Mac loads the operating system — either macOS or an older version of OS X — from the hard drive or solid-state drive.

Once the operating system is loaded, you will see the login screen. This is where you enter your password. After you log in, your Mac loads your user account settings, opens any programs that are set to launch at startup, and connects to Wi-Fi if you have saved a network. The entire process usually takes between 30 seconds and 3 minutes. Newer Macs with solid-state drives start faster than older Macs with traditional hard drives.

Troubleshooting When Your Mac Will Not Start

If you press the power button and nothing happens, first check that your Mac is plugged into power. On MacBooks, the battery may be completely drained. Plug in the power adapter and wait 30 seconds, then try the power button again. If you are using a desktop Mac, make sure the power cable is firmly connected to both the Mac and the wall outlet, and that the outlet itself is working (test it with another device like a lamp).

If the Mac still does not respond, try a force restart. Hold down the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black, then release and wait a few seconds. Press the power button again to start normally. On some older Macs, you may need to hold Control + Command + Power at the same time to force a restart. If your Mac still will not start after these steps, the issue may be a hardware problem, and you should contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store.

Waking a Mac from Sleep

If your Mac is in sleep mode rather than fully powered off, you do not need to hold the power button. Instead, press any key on the keyboard, move the mouse or trackpad, or press the power button once briefly. Your Mac will wake up and show the login screen. Sleep mode uses much less power than a fully running Mac, so your computer may go into sleep automatically after a period of inactivity.

You can adjust how long your Mac waits before sleeping by going to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), then selecting Energy Saver or Battery. If you want your Mac to never sleep, you can set the sleep timer to "Never," though this uses more power. Waking from sleep is much faster than a full startup because the operating system is already loaded in memory.

Restarting vs. Shutting Down

Turning on your Mac is different from restarting it. A restart shuts down your Mac completely and then starts it up again automatically. A shutdown turns off your Mac and leaves it off until you press the power button again. To restart, click the Apple menu in the top left corner, select Restart, and confirm. To shut down, click the Apple menu and select Shut Down, then confirm.

Restarting is useful when your Mac is running slowly or a program is not responding. Shutting down is what you do when you are done using your Mac for the day or when you need to move it. Both options give your Mac a chance to close programs properly and save any unsaved work, which is gentler than forcing a restart with the power button.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I hold the power button to turn on my Mac?

Hold the power button for 2 to 3 seconds until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. You do not need to hold it longer than that. If nothing happens after 5 seconds, release and try again, making sure the Mac is plugged in.

Why does my Mac take so long to start up?

Startup time depends on your Mac model, how full your hard drive is, and how many programs are set to launch at startup. Newer Macs with solid-state drives start in 30 seconds to 1 minute. Older Macs with traditional hard drives may take 2 to 3 minutes. If startup is unusually slow, restart your Mac and check System Settings to see which programs launch automatically.

Can I turn on my Mac remotely?

No, you cannot turn on a Mac that is completely powered off from another location. You can only wake a Mac from sleep remotely if it is connected to power and has Wake on Network enabled in Energy Saver settings. To turn on a powered-off Mac, someone must physically press the power button.

What is the difference between sleep and shutdown?

Sleep mode keeps your Mac powered on but uses very little energy and wakes when ready when you press a key or move the mouse. Shutdown turns off your Mac completely and uses no energy, but takes longer to start up again. Use sleep for short breaks and shutdown when you are done for the day.

Is it bad to force restart my Mac?

Force restarting by holding the power button for 10 seconds should only be done when your Mac is completely frozen and not responding. It does not harm the hardware, but it can cause unsaved work to be lost. Use it only as a last resort when the normal restart option does not work.