How to make a Mac stop playing music after a timer
Yes, the Clock app can stop audio or video when a timer ends. Set a custom timer, open the When timer ends pop up menu, and choose Stop Playing, which sits at the bottom of the sound list. Press Start, and your music or video stops when the time is up.
Steps
- Open the Clock app on your Mac.
- Click Timers at the top of the window, or choose View > Timers.
- Set a custom timer, for example 30 minutes.
- Click the When timer ends pop up menu and choose Stop Playing. It is at the bottom of the sound list.
- Click Start.
Start your music or video before or after you set the timer. When the countdown reaches zero, playback stops.
Good uses
People use this to fall asleep to a podcast, to stop a video playlist during a meal, or to limit a long listening session. It saves you from leaving audio running all night.
What it does not do
Apple’s page describes Stop Playing as stopping audio or video. It does not say the Mac sleeps or shuts down afterwards. A Mac that is still on will keep the display and battery in use. If you want the Mac itself to sleep, choose Sleep from the Apple menu once the music has stopped.
If the music does not stop
Check three things. First, confirm you chose Stop Playing and not a sound. Second, make sure the timer is running in the Timers list. Third, remember that a timer can stop what the Mac plays, but not a second device such as a speaker with its own source.
From the notch
You can start and watch a timer from NotchStar’s Timers tool, and the Home tab shows the song playing with previous, play or pause and next buttons (see Now Playing). NotchStar’s timer ends with a finish sound that you choose, or no sound. It does not stop other apps playing, so for a sleep timer use the Clock app’s Stop Playing option.
