How to Change How Long Until a Mac Asks for Your Password

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Click the Apple menu.

   This is in the upper-left corner of the screen.
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   Step 2: Click "System Preferences."

   If the main System Preferences menu does not appear, click "Show All" at the top of the window.
   
   This looks like a grid with 12 dots. , This is in the top row of options. ,,, When this is enabled, you can set the time until your password is required after your computer goes to sleep or turns on the screen saver.
   
   If you don't want to be prompted for your password ever when your computer goes to sleep or into screen saver, uncheck this box. , , Your computer will wait this amount of time after sleeping or enabling the screen saver until it asks for your password again., This will return you to the System Preferences menu so that you can change the time until your computer goes to sleep or enables the screen saver. ,,,, If you don't want a screen saver, select "Never." Your computer will prompt you for a password once the allotted time has passed after the screen saver activates. , You'll now be changing the time until your computer puts itself to sleep. ,, Your computer will put itself to sleep after this amount of inactivity.
   
   You'll then be prompted for your password however long after that, depending on what you set earlier in the Security & Privacy menu.
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   Step 3: Click "Security & Privacy."

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   Step 4: Click the padlock button in the lower-left corner.

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   Step 5: Type your user password.

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   Step 6: Check the box next to "Require password."

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   Step 7: Click the drop-down menu after "Require password."

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   Step 8: Click the amount of time you want to use.

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   Step 9: Click the "Show All" button at the top of the window.

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    Step 10: Click the "Desktop & Screen Saver" option.

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    Step 11: Click the "Screen Saver" tab.

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    Step 12: Click the "Start after" menu.

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    Step 13: Click the time that your screen saver should start.

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    Step 14: Click the "Show All" button.

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    Step 15: Click the "Energy Saver" option.

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    Step 16: Click and drag the "Computer sleep" slider.

Detailed Guide

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