Hands-On Mac Episode 178: Using a UPS With macOS
Released on April 17, 2025
Host: Micah Sargent
Introduction
In episode 178 of Hands-On Mac, Micah Sargent delves into the practicalities of using an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) with macOS. Aimed at both casual users and tech enthusiasts, the episode provides a comprehensive guide on integrating a UPS with your Mac to ensure data safety and system stability during power outages.
Understanding Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
Micah begins by explaining the fundamental purpose of a UPS. He describes it as a battery-powered system designed to provide backup power, allowing users to gracefully shut down their machines during power outages instead of experiencing an abrupt shutdown.
Micah Sargent [02:15]: "A UPS is something that I recommend to honestly everyone but in particular anyone who does anything like what we're doing here in the event of a power outage at my house... it instead does get a little bit of extended time."
macOS Integration with UPS
The discussion transitions to how macOS interacts with a UPS. Micah highlights that when a supported UPS is connected to a Mac, the operating system recognizes the device and provides additional functionalities to manage power settings effectively.
Micah Sargent [02:30]: "When you connect a supported UPS to your Mac, macOS notices that and provides you with some functionality to control the UPS."
System Information Insights
Micah demonstrates how to verify if macOS has detected the UPS by accessing the System Information tool. He guides listeners through navigating to the hardware section and specifically the power details to confirm UPS integration.
Micah Sargent [03:10]: "If you have a UPS installed and you check the system information utility and UPS installed says no, then you know you've got an issue."
System Settings and Energy Tab
Moving to the System Settings app, Micah focuses on the Energy section. Here, users can monitor the UPS battery level and adjust settings related to sleep behaviors and automatic restarts post power failure.
Micah Sargent [04:05]: "At the top of that Energy tab that it shows UPS level with a colon and then 100%. So I know that the battery power of the UPS is currently at 100%."
UPS Options and Configuration
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to configuring UPS options within macOS. Micah explains the various settings available, such as shutting down the Mac when the UPS battery reaches a certain time or percentage. He emphasizes the importance of aligning these settings with the UPS manufacturer's software to prevent conflicts.
Micah Sargent [06:20]: "macOS itself now knows that when the remaining battery life on the UPS is 10%, go ahead and shut down my Mac. That way I know that it's going to gracefully turn off and I won't have any loss of data."
Practical Demonstration
Using his CyberPower UPS as an example, Micah walks through the setup process. He accesses the Powerpanel Personal application to adjust the shutdown timer and ensures that macOS settings mirror the UPS software preferences.
Micah Sargent [07:45]: "I'm going to set it though here to 10 and click done. So what that does is macOS itself now knows that when the remaining battery life on the UPS is 10%, go ahead and shut down my Mac."
Tips and Best Practices
Micah shares valuable tips for users considering a UPS:
- Consistency in Settings: Ensure that macOS and UPS software settings are synchronized to avoid discrepancies in shutdown protocols.
- Software Necessity: Depending on the UPS model, users might not need additional software beyond macOS capabilities. It's essential to evaluate based on personal comfort and the specific UPS features.
- Menu Bar Indicators: Users can monitor UPS status via the menu bar icon, which indicates battery levels and power sources.
Micah Sargent [09:30]: "Depending on the software that you have installed and what you are set in the application itself, you may notice that they kind of disagree with each other, and so you want to make sure that they are set to the same if you decide to go with that."
Conclusion
Micah wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of using a UPS to protect Macs from unexpected power losses. He encourages listeners to reach out with questions and highlights the benefits of joining the TWiT.tv Club for additional resources and ad-free content.
Micah Sargent [11:15]: "Many of you out there have at times either considered getting a UPS or have indeed installed a UPS for your machine and maybe you're curious about what all you're able to do. So I want to give you a nice look into that."
Key Takeaways:
- Essential Protection: A UPS provides critical backup power, allowing Macs to shut down gracefully during outages, thereby preventing data loss.
- macOS Compatibility: macOS seamlessly integrates with supported UPS devices, offering user-friendly controls and status monitoring.
- Configuration Sync: Aligning settings between macOS and UPS-specific software is crucial for effective power management.
- User Empowerment: Understanding and utilizing UPS features can significantly enhance system reliability and user experience.
For anyone looking to safeguard their Mac against power interruptions, Micah Sargent’s detailed walkthrough offers both the knowledge and practical steps needed to implement an effective UPS solution.