Computer Steps

macOS

How to Turn Off a Mac

Also available for: Windows 11

What you need: A Mac.

Before you begin: Save your work and close your documents. If you want the Mac to turn back on automatically, use How to Restart a Mac.

  1. Click the Apple menu (the Apple logo) in the upper-left corner of the screen.
  2. Click Shut Down.
  3. In the confirmation window, click Shut Down.
  4. Wait for the Mac to turn off. Keep a Mac laptop's lid open until it has finished. Leave the power button alone while it shuts down.

Expected result: The Mac has turned off and its screen is dark.

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Practice these steps

Try this task on a pretend Mac screen in your browser. The steps guide you one at a time, and nothing changes on your own computer.

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