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If you’ve ever watched Netflix or YouTube on your Mac and then noticed that it suddenly goes to sleep, don’t worry—you don’t need to download any extra apps or change complicated settings. There’s a simple, quick fix using just your Terminal app.
The trick is to run a little command called caffeinate. This command keeps your Mac awake while you’re streaming your favorite shows. Here’s how to do it:
First, you’ll need to open Terminal. To find it:
- Go to your Applications folder
- Open the Utilities folder inside
- Double-click on Terminal
Once Terminal is open, type this command:
caffeinate
Press Return on your keyboard. Your Mac will stay awake, preventing it from sleeping during your streaming session.
When you’re done watching and want your Mac to sleep normally again, just press Control + C in Terminal. This will stop the command and allow your Mac to sleep as usual.
Why use this method? It’s simple, doesn’t cost anything, and avoids the hassle of changing display or power settings manually. Plus, it works for preventing data loss if applications become unresponsive or during updates, and it helps avoid unexpected restarts or boot loops during software updates.
To summarize:
- Open Terminal from the Applications > Utilities folder.
- Type caffeinate and hit Return.
- Watch your streaming content without interruptions.
- When finished, press Control + C to stop the command.
This quick trick keeps your Mac active without messing around with your system settings. Give it a try next time you want to binge-watch without interruptions!


