Set a screen saver or display timeout and require a password immediately after the screen saver starts or the display turns off. This helps protect information that may be visible when you step away from your Mac.
How to fix it
macOS 13 and later
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then select Lock Screen in the sidebar.
- Choose an inactivity period that fits your environment for starting the screen saver or turning off the display.
- Set Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to Immediately.
The names and available timeouts can vary slightly by macOS version and Mac model.
macOS 10.11 – 12
- Go to “System Preferences” > “Desktop & Screen Saver”
- Click the Screen Saver tab. Screen savers appear on left side of the window, and a preview of the selected screen saver appears on the right.
- In “Start after,” choose a short time that fits your environment.
- Ensure in the Screen saver options, that your computer name is not shown.
Require a password after the screen saver begins
- Go to “System Preferences” > “Security & Privacy” > “General”
- Set “Require password” to “Immediately”.
