Many users want to disable auto-boot on MacBook Air M4 laptops. Apple makes this laptop turn on automatically when you open the lid. Thankfully, macOS Sequoia 15 gives you a safe way to change this behavior. You can stop this automatic startup using a simple Terminal command.
Important Warning: Never use the old Intel Mac command (sudo nvram AutoBoot=%00). This outdated command will crash your Apple Silicon processor and cause severe boot loops.
Steps to Disable Auto Boot on MacBook Air M4
You must use the Terminal application to adjust your system settings. Follow these exact steps to disable auto-boot on MacBook Air M4:
- Press Command + Space to open Spotlight Search.
- Type "Terminal" and press Return to open the app.
- Type the following command exactly as shown:
sudo nvram BootPreference=%00 - Press the Return key.
- Type your Mac administrator password.
- Press the Return key again.
The password characters remain invisible while you type them. This security feature is completely normal.
This is the tested method that worked successfully on my MacBook Air M4.
Extra Settings for MacBook Air M4 Auto Boot
You can customize your power settings even further. Use these alternative Terminal commands to fit your personal workflow:
- Stop booting on lid open only:
sudo nvram BootPreference=%01 - Stop booting ONLY when connecting power:
sudo nvram BootPreference=%02 - Restore default Apple settings:
sudo nvram -d BootPreference
See also: Why Charging is on Hold on MacBook
