TL;DR
Sleep uses RAM for quick wake-ups, Hibernate saves to the drive to conserve battery, Safe Sleep secures RAM data, and Standby saves to SSD for long inactivity.
Key Points
- Sleep: Default mode for quick wake-ups.
- Hibernate: Conserves battery, slower to wake.
- Safe Sleep: Combines quick wake-ups with data security.
- Standby: Ideal for long inactivity, lasting up to 30 days.
Ever wonder what happens when you close your MacBook? It uses four smart sleep modes: Sleep, Hibernate, Safe Sleep, and Standby. Curious? Let’s dive into each mode!
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
What Are Mac Sleep Modes?
Mac sleep modes conserve energy when inactive, extending battery life and reducing power use while keeping your Mac ready for action. Here’s an overview of the main sleep modes:
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1. Sleep Mode: A Deep Dive
Sleep mode is Mac’s default power-saving state, saving the system’s state in RAM while powering down peripherals. It allows for quick wake-ups, with Macs entering Sleep automatically after a set period (customizable in System Settings). Desktop Macs use this setting by default, known as hibernatemode 0.
2. Hibernate Mode: The Long Sleep
Hibernate mode, mainly for MacBooks, saves the system state to the hard drive and powers off completely, including RAM. It uses minimal power but takes longer to wake. Known as hibernatemode 1, it was default for Mac laptops before 2005.
3. Safe Sleep Mode: The Safe Zone
Compared to the basic sleep mode, hibernatemode 3 backs up RAM to the startup drive for added security, ensuring data recovery during issues like battery failure. Unlike hibernation, RAM stays active, allowing quick wake-ups. It became the default for Mac laptops after 2005.
Not every MacBook is compatible with this mode.
4. Standby Mode: The Middle Ground
Standby mode saves the session to the SSD to conserve battery. It activates after 3 hours of sleep on newer Macs (2013+) and 1 hour on older models. A standout feature of this mode is its longevity: a fully charged MacBook can sustain itself on standby for an impressive 30 days without a power source.
Which Sleep Mode Is the Best for You?
Choosing the best sleep mode for your Mac depends on your usage patterns, priorities, and the specific circumstances in which you use your device. Here’s a breakdown of all Mac sleep modes to help you decide:
| Mode | Best For | Pros | Cons |
| Sleep Mode (hibernatemode 0) | Users who want extended battery life during inactivity without compromising wake-up speed. | Fastest wake-up time. | Consumes more battery over extended periods than other modes. |
| Hibernate Mode (hibernatemode 1) | Older Mac laptops or those wanting to conserve as much battery as possible during longer periods of inactivity. | Uses the least battery power when the Mac is inactive. | Slower wake-up time since it needs to read the saved state from the hard drive. |
| Safe Sleep (hibernatemode 3) | Users who want a balance between quick wake-up times and data security, especially if there’s a risk of battery drain or unexpected shutdowns. | Combines the benefits of both Sleep and Hibernate. Data is safe even if the battery completely drains. | Takes up additional storage space on the startup drive for the saved state. |
| Standby Mode | Users who want extended battery life during periods of inactivity without compromising on wake-up speed. | Can last up to 30 days on a full battery charge without being plugged in. | Only available on newer Macs. |
- 🔋 Battery Life: Use Hibernate or Standby for extended battery conservation.
- ⚡ Wake-up Speed: Sleep mode ensures instant access for frequent use.
- 🔒 Data Security: Safe Sleep protects against data loss from battery drain.
Find Out Which Sleep Mode Your Mac Uses
Based on your macOS and MacBook type, a default sleep mode is pre-selected. To check the default sleep mode on your Mac using Terminal, follow these steps:
- Launch Terminal on your Mac by searching for it in Spotlight search (Command ⌘ + Space).
- Type the following command and press Enter:
pmset -g | grep hibernatemode
- You’ll see a number representing the default Sleep Mode of your Mac.
Here’s what different numbers mean in terms of Mac sleep modes:
- hibernatemode 0: Standard Sleep
- hibernatemode 1: Hibernate Mode for pre-2005 portable MacBooks
- hibernatemode 3: Safe Sleep
- hibernatemode 25: For post-2005 MacBooks
What Happens to a Mac While It’s Sleeping?
When a Mac is put to sleep, it enters a low-power state to conserve energy while preserving the current session for a quick resume. Here’s a breakdown of what happens during this process:
- ⏸️ Active Processes Pause: Apps and processes freeze, resuming where you left off.
- 🔋 RAM Remains Powered: In standard sleep mode, RAM stays active, storing session data for quick wake-ups.
- 🔌 Peripherals Go Inactive: Devices like drives and displays power down.
- 📡 Network Connections: Wi-Fi and updates pause until the Mac wakes.
- 💡 Power Consumption Drops: Power consumption drops, saving battery.
- 🔍 System Checks: The Mac may wake briefly for network or device activity.
- 🌙 Potential Transition to Deeper Sleep Modes: It may shift to hibernate or standby for more energy savings.
- 🌀 Fans and Hard Drive: Fans and traditional hard drives stop running.
How to Change Your Mac’s Sleep Mode
You can conveniently adjust the sleep settings on your Mac through the System Settings. Follow these steps to change your Mac’s sleep settings:
- Click the Apple logo and select System Settings.
- Click the Lock Screen tab in the left sidebar.
- On the right side, under Lock Screen, you’ll see four options:
- Start Screen Saver when inactive
- Turn display off on battery when inactive
- Turn display off on power adapter when inactive
- Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off
Each option has a dropdown button next to it. You can click it to:
- Pick a time: 1 minute to 3 hours.
- Change password settings: choose between 5 seconds to 8 hours.
- Select Never if you don’t want a timer.
Pick the Right Sleep Mode for Your Mac
Using the right sleep mode boosts your Mac’s performance and lifespan. Optimize settings to match your usage. Here are more tips:
- You can stop a Mac from sleeping to keep your workflows continuous and everything working seamlessly.
- If you’re not happy with your system’s current sleep settings, you can change sleep time on your Mac.
- If your system doesn’t boot up after sleeping, you may have a black screen issue on your Mac.
