Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Introduction
Setting up a routine to schedule automatic Mac restarts ensures your computer stays fresh without you having to remember it. A regularly scheduled restart clears temporary files, installs pending updates, and refreshes system memory—all of which keep your Mac running at peak performance. Whether you want a weekly Sunday morning reboot or a daily restart during your lunch break, macOS offers several ways to automate the process.
This guide covers the two main methods: using the built‑in System Settings and scheduling restarts from the Terminal. For a broader overview of all restart methods, see our how to restart a Mac guide . To learn the Terminal commands that power these schedules, our restart a Mac from Terminal guide has you covered.
Method 1: Use System Settings for Automatic Updates
The simplest way to schedule automatic Mac restarts is through System Settings. Apple has integrated automatic restart triggers with the software update mechanism to keep your computer secure and up to date without manual input.
- Open System Settings from the Apple menu () in the top‑left corner of your screen.
- Click General in the sidebar.
- Select Software Update.
- Click the ⓘ button next to Automatic updates.
- Turn on Install macOS updates and Install system data files and security updates. Your Mac will automatically restart to apply these updates when necessary.
Once enabled, your computer restarts automatically overnight (if it is sleeping and plugged into power) to install critical system updates. You will not need to remember to click “Restart” after an update notification. If a restart is imminent, macOS will warn you, giving you time to save your work before the countdown hits zero.
Method 2: Schedule Restarts Using Terminal
For greater control, use Terminal to schedule automatic Mac restarts at specific times. The command pmset manages power settings and lets you define a recurring restart schedule.
Open Terminal and type the following command to restart every day at 3:00 AM:
text
sudo pmset repeat restart MTWRFSU 03:00:00
The letters represent days of the week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Omit a day letter to skip that day. For example, to restart only on weekdays at 11:00 PM, use:
text
sudo pmset repeat restart MTWRF 23:00:00
After you press Return and enter your administrator password, the schedule activates immediately. To view your active schedules, type:
text
pmset -g sched
To cancel all scheduled restart events, run:
text
sudo pmset repeat cancel
This removes every scheduled restart, shutdown, and wake event. Use it when you want to clear the slate.
Combine Scheduling with a Custom Message
If you are scheduling a restart on a shared computer, consider pairing the restart with a custom broadcast message to warn other users. While pmset works silently in the background, a manual script can combine the delayed restart command with an alert. For instructions on how to craft this kind of script, see our restart a Mac from Terminal guide , which covers the shutdown command with time and message options.
When to Schedule Automatic Restarts
Scheduling a weekly restart is good practice for most users. Choose a time when your computer is plugged in but not in active use—Sunday morning at 3:00 AM, for example. This ensures the restart does not interrupt your workflow.
If you run server software on your Mac or perform heavy creative work like video editing, daily restarts may be beneficial. They clear memory caches and close lingering processes that can degrade performance over time. For casual users, a weekly schedule strikes the right balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will scheduled restarts interrupt my work?
Yes, if you are using the computer at the scheduled time. Set the restart for a time when the Mac is normally idle. The system does not automatically save open documents, so save your work before stepping away.
Can I schedule a restart for specific days only?
Yes. The pmset command lets you specify exactly which days using the MTWRFSU letter codes. Skip the letters for the days you want to exclude.
Does the System Settings method guarantee a restart?
Not always. The automatic update restart only occurs when an update requires a reboot. For guaranteed restarts on a fixed schedule, use the Terminal method.
How do I undo a scheduled restart?
Run sudo pmset repeat cancel to remove all scheduled power events. This command clears everything—restarts, shutdowns, and wake events—so you will need to recreate any you want to keep.
