How to Disable Boot on Lid Open on MacBook Pro (2016 & Later Models)

The newest MacBook Pro models default to automatically powering on when the laptops lid is opened, or when the Mac is connected to power. This may be desirable to some users, but not everyone may be pleased with an automatically booting MacBook just when the display lid is lifted open.

With a visit to the command line of Mac OS, you can turn off the power on / boot on Lid Open feature on the latest MacBook Pro models with Touch Bar.

Disable Boot on Lid Open / Power Connection on MacBook Pro (2016+)

1. Open the Terminal, which is found in /Applications/Utilities/, and then enter the following command syntax exactly:

sudo nvram AutoBoot=%00

2. Hit return and authenticate with the admin password (necessary due to sudo)
3. Exit Terminal when finished

With AutoBoot turned off, when the MacBook Pro lid is opened, it will no longer boot the computer or turn the computer on simply by opening the lid. Additionally, connecting the power cable will not automatically boot the Mac. Instead, the behavior is like it was on earlier Macs, which can open the lid of a Mac without turning the computer itself on.

Return to Default Setting of Booting on Lid Open with MacBook Pro

To return to the new default setting of booting automatically when the lid opens or when the power is connected, return to the command line and issue the following command syntax:

sudo nvram AutoBoot=%03

Hitting return and authenticating will complete the change. You can also reset Mac NVRAM to return the setting to default.

If you’re not sure what setting is enabled, using “nvram -p” will print the nvram settings that have been or can be configured.

This is a handy tip similar to adjusting whether or not the new MacBook Pro makes a boot sound effect or not. Thanks to a thread on MacRumors forums for the appropriate AutoBoot syntax.