How to make Mac sleep at low battery?

[CharType]

I'd like to know if there's a way to make my computer automatically sleep at low battery, maybe 5%. I know about the option to make a mac sleep after a certain period of inactivity. This is not what I'm looking for. My power connection sometimes becomes unplugged pretty much randomly, so I'd like my computer to turn off rather than run down the battery completely. Thanks.

I'm running macOS Sierra 10.12.6 on a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015).

 

[pm-r]

You need this person's problem if you could duplicate it:
MacBook turns off when charger is disconnected
SOLVED: MacBook turns off when charger is disconnected - MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 - iFixit

But the first thing that comes to my mind is wondering if Automator and/or if an AppleScript would work???



- Patrick
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[chscag]

My power connection sometimes becomes unplugged pretty much randomly, so I'd like my computer to turn off rather than run down the battery completely.

Have you thought about buying an UPS? Not normally needed for a notebook computer that already has a battery, but in your situation it might actually be a better solution than relying on software.

 

[ferrarr]

Have you thought about buying an UPS? Not normally needed for a notebook computer that already has a battery, but in your situation it might actually be a better solution than relying on software.

How would the UPS know the device has been disconnected, and be able to put the disconnected device to sleep?

@CharType, what settings do you have enabled in System Preferences > Power Settings?

 

[chscag]

An UPS would keep his power steady which would result in not having to put his MacBook Pro to sleep at all. Besides all that, he stated that when the battery goes down to 5% he would like the machine to sleep. That's a very low discharge percentage and not good for the battery which will cause unnecessary wear.

 

[ferrarr]

I understand that, but once the device is disconnected, is when it has no control over the battery or charging. The OP needs to pay closer attention to the power adapter.

 

[pm-r]

The OP needs to pay closer attention to the power adapter.

Or maybe tape the power connector to the MacBook so it doesn't become unplugged in the first place!!!




- Patrick
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[CharType]

@CharType, what settings do you have enabled in System Preferences > Power Settings?

There's no "Power Settings", but if you mean "Energy Saver" then here's what I have.

Turn display off after: Never
Battery:
[] Put hard disks to sleep when possible
[v/] Slightly dim the display on battery power
[v/] Enable Power Nap while on battery power
Power Adapter:
[v/] Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off
[v/] Put hard disks to sleep when possible
[v/] Wake for network access
[v/] Enable Power Nap while plugged into a power adapter

You need this person's problem if you could duplicate it:
MacBook turns off when charger is disconnected
SOLVED: MacBook turns off when charger is disconnected - MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 - iFixit

But the first thing that comes to my mind is wondering if Automator and/or if an AppleScript would work???



- Patrick
======

I can't find a way to make either Automator or an AppleScript run automatically when the power gets low.



Also I don't think I can tape down the connection effectively. Otherwise that might work.

 

[ferrarr]

Yes, I meant Energy Saver. You will have to pay attention for when the display dims, as this will tell you when the power adapter becomes disconnected from the laptop.

Edit: The screen will also dim if the power adapter becomes disconnected from the wall outlet.

 

[pm-r]

It looks like there are several third-party apps that would be able to do what you want from what I read and understood

Have a look here:
Low Battery Alert for Mac OS X El Capitan
Low Battery Alert for Mac OS X El Capitan - Ask Different

And maybe even this:
How to get low/full battery alerts on macOS


Good luck and I hope at least one of them works for you to do what you want to do.




- Patrick
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