How to Set a Mac Sleep Timer from Your iPhone

Prepare the Mac remote connection

Pilot needs its iPhone app and the Mac helper. Open the helper on your Mac, follow its permission instructions, and pair by scanning its QR code in Pilot. Check that the device name is correct before sending a power command.

If the devices are not paired yet, use the connection guide first. Keep the helper running while you set up and test the timer.

Choose a time when you do not need the Mac to remain awake for ongoing work. Save your changes before testing power actions, and check any downloads or other tasks you want to finish first.

Set the sleep timer in Pilot

1. Open Power. Select the Power tab in Pilot's bottom navigation.
2. Find Sleep timer. It appears below the main power-action buttons.
3. Choose a duration. The displayed presets are 15 min, 30 min, 45 min and 1 hr.
4. Use Custom for another duration. Follow the options shown in the app to enter the time you want.
5. Review the resulting timer state. Complete any prompts shown by your version of Pilot and check that the duration is the one you intended.

Try a timer while you can watch the Mac before using it for an unattended session. If you want to change an active timer, return to Power and use the timer controls shown by your app version; do not assume choosing another preset always cancels the previous one.

Sleep, Sleep Display and Lock do different jobs

Sleep timer is for a delayed sleep action. Sleep is the separate control to put the Mac to sleep when you are done now.

Sleep Display targets the display. It is a different choice from requesting sleep for the Mac itself. Choose it when the screen is the part you want to turn off, then check the Mac's behavior in your setup.

Lock is for locking the Mac session. The Power screen also includes Restart, Shut Down and Log Out. Those actions are separate from a sleep timer and can interrupt what you are doing.

For the Mac's own sleep and wake behavior, see Apple's sleep guide. Pilot provides controls for your Mac; the Mac's settings and current state still matter.

A bedtime music or video workflow

Start the content on your Mac, then use Pilot's Media controls to adjust playback and volume. Open Power when you know how long you want the session to continue and choose a sleep timer duration.

Return to Media for playback controls. If you need to check the active window without approaching the laptop, use Screen View while the Mac is still available.

Do not treat the sleep timer as a media fade-out or a promise to finish the current episode. It is a duration you choose, so set it around the time you want the Mac to sleep.

If the Mac does not sleep as expected

First check whether Pilot shows the intended Mac and whether the helper is running. Review the timer state and any setup prompts rather than assuming that tapping a preset completed every step.

If the connection and timer look correct, check the Mac's sleep settings and any app currently keeping it awake. Test during a simple session so you can separate timer setup from the behavior of other software.

When the Mac is sleeping or unavailable, do not assume that Pilot can reconnect to it or wake it remotely. This guide covers setting a timer on a connected Mac; use the Mac's normal wake method if you need to resume.

Common questions

Can I set a custom duration?

Yes. The Power screen shows a Custom option alongside the timer presets. Follow its controls in the version of Pilot you use.

Is the sleep timer a shutdown timer?

No. Sleep timer and Shut Down are separate controls on the Power screen.

Can I schedule a repeating bedtime?

This guide covers the displayed duration presets and Custom timer. It does not describe a repeating schedule.