An amazing keep-awake utility for your Mac

Amphetamine for Mac
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Amphetamine for Mac

  -  Freeware
Free Download

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Amphetamine for Mac is a lightweight macOS application designed to keep your Mac awake and prevent it from entering sleep mode.

Originally built as a simple alternative to macOS’s Energy Saver preferences, Amphetamine desktop app has evolved into a powerful utility tailored for developers, video editors, presenters, and anyone who needs to keep their Mac active for extended periods.

Amphetamine for Mac Screenshot 1

Whether you're waiting on long downloads, running code, or presenting slides, it ensures your Mac stays on until you decide otherwise.

Key Features

Session Control: Create and manage custom sessions to keep your Mac awake based on triggers like time, app usage, battery level, or connected drives.

Drive Alive: Prevent specific external or internal drives from sleeping independently of system sleep settings.

Triggers: Automate awake sessions when certain apps launch, networks are connected, or accessories are plugged in.

Time-Based Activation: Set awake periods for specific durations (e.g., 30 minutes, 4 hours, indefinitely).

Status Bar Integration: Full control from the macOS menu bar with quick access to session status, preferences, and triggers.

AppleScript & Automation Support: Compatible with Shortcuts, Automator, and scripting for advanced workflows.

Lock Screen Behavior: Choose whether your Mac can lock the screen while staying awake or remain fully unlocked.

User Interface

The app features a minimalist interface that blends into the macOS menu bar. The app icon provides a simple dropdown menu for quick access to session settings, preferences, and active triggers.

It uses native macOS design elements, making it intuitive for Mac users. There's no complex UI—just a clean, responsive, and easily navigable menu.

Installation and Setup
  • Download it for free from the Mac App Store or FileHorse.
  • Once installed, launch it from your Applications folder.
  • Grant requested permissions (like access to Accessibility for advanced automation).
  • The app icon will appear in the macOS menu bar, from where all settings and sessions are controlled.
  • No additional configuration is required for basic usage, though users can dive deeper into preferences and create advanced triggers as needed.
How to Use

Click the app icon in the menu bar.

Select "Start New Session" to keep your Mac awake for a defined time or indefinitely.

To stop a session, click the icon again and choose "End Current Session."

For automation, go to Preferences > Triggers to set rules based on app launches, battery status, connected devices, and more.

Use the “Drive Alive” feature to stop specific drives from sleeping under the Preferences tab.

What’s New (as of latest version)
  • Improved support for macOS Sonoma and Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3).
  • Enhanced trigger performance and reliability.
  • UI refinements for better accessibility and dark mode support.
  • Added support for Shortcuts integration and AppleScript enhancements.
  • Bug fixes related to session handling and macOS Ventura/Sonoma permissions.
FAQs

Does Amphetamine keep my display awake too?
Yes, by default it prevents both system and display sleep, but you can customize it to keep the system awake while letting the display sleep.

Can I use Amphetamine to keep external drives from sleeping?
Yes. The “Drive Alive” feature is specifically designed to keep selected drives active.

Is Amphetamine safe to use long-term?
Absolutely. It doesn’t alter core system files and runs only while sessions are active. Just be cautious of battery drain on laptops.

Does Amphetamine work with Apple Silicon Macs?
Yes, it is fully compatible with M1, M2, and M3 chips and runs natively on macOS 11.3 and later.

Is Amphetamine completely free?
Yes. The app is free with no ads or locked features. Donations are optional and appreciated by the developer.

Pricing

This desktop app is completely FREE on the Mac App Store. It offers full functionality without any hidden costs, ads, or in-app purchases.

Users can optionally support the developer via donations or in-app tipping.

System Requirements

macOS 10.11 (El Capitan) or later

Fully optimized for macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 14 Sonoma

Native support for Intel and Apple Silicon Macs

PROS
  • Highly customizable session control.
  • Lightweight and unobtrusive.
  • Free with no ads or upsells.
  • Advanced automation via triggers and scripting.
  • Native Apple Silicon support.
CONS
  • No mobile version or iCloud sync.
  • May require setup for advanced triggers.
  • Cannot override macOS enforced updates or sleep in all cases.
Conclusion

Amphetamine is a must-have utility for Mac users who need reliable control over sleep behavior without diving into Terminal commands or system settings. It combines simplicity with advanced features, making it suitable for casual and power users alike.

With its extensive customization options, native macOS integration, and zero cost, it remains the best free app in its category. Whether you’re a developer running long builds, a presenter needing the screen awake, or simply someone downloading large files overnight, the app ensures your Mac won’t let you down.

Download Amphetamine for Mac Latest Version
Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)

  • Amphetamine 5.3.2 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    Amphetamine 5.3.2 Screenshot 1

What's new in this version:

Amphetamine 5.3.2
- Fixed a crash on macOS Sonoma related to Bluetooth privacy settings access
- Added warning when Amphetamine is running using Rosetta
- Fixed an issue where some Apple Silicon Macs could be identified as Intel
- Fixed an issue for sessions that start at app launch don't enable Closed-Display Mode
- Fixed an issue where the session time remaining or other text would overlap Amphetamine's icon in the menu bar
- Fixed an issue with a -50 Application Can't be Opened error that appeared on some older macOS versions
- Added additional logic/code around creating and releasing power assertions in an attempt to fix an issue where Amphetamine causes a Mac to sleep, disconnect from external displays and/or WiFi, or create a "flash" on external displays
- Added ability to uninstall scripts via Amphetamine (menu bar icon) → Feedback & Support → Uninstall Scripts...
- Added Location Services request for current WiFi network name access for Trigger sessions in macOS Sonoma
- Configured all of Amphetamine's alerts to be floating windows (show on top of other windows)
- Fixed an issue where some menu text was clipped in French localization
- Fixed an issue with Triggers not activating on some non-laptop Macs
- Fixed an issue where some IP address-based Trigger sessions would not end when expected
- Added Debug Mode


Amphetamine 5.3.1
- Added warning when Amphetamine is running using Rosetta
- Fixed an issue where some Apple Silicon Macs could be identified as Intel
- Fixed an issue for sessions that start at app launch don't enable Closed-Display Mode
- Fixed an issue where the session time remaining or other text would overlap Amphetamine's icon in the menu bar
- Fixed an issue with a -50 Application Can't be Opened error that appeared on some older macOS versions
- Added additional logic/code around creating and releasing power assertions in an attempt to fix an issue where Amphetamine causes a Mac to sleep, disconnect from external displays and/or WiFi, or create a "flash" on external displays
- Added ability to uninstall scripts via Amphetamine (menu bar icon) → Feedback & Support → Uninstall Scripts...
- Added Location Services request for current WiFi network name access for Trigger sessions in macOS Sonoma
- Configured all of Amphetamine's alerts to be floating windows (show on top of other windows)
- Fixed an issue where some menu text was clipped in French localization
- Fixed an issue with Triggers not activating on some non-laptop Macs
- Fixed an issue where some IP address-based Trigger sessions would not end when expected
- Added Debug Mode


Amphetamine 5.3
- Changed "Preferences" to "Settings" for macOS 13+
- Added French language (completed by Mathieu Martin)
- Changed shell used for tasks to ZSH for macOS 10.15+ (Catalina)
- Fixed an issue with some process/app-based Trigger sessions not starting
- Fixed an issue with some process/app-based Trigger sessions consuming lots of CPU
- Updated app icon
- Other minor improvements

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