Apple addressed a decades-old limitation with macOS 26.5, enabling Macs to automatically boot when power is restored. This feature, called "Start up when power is connected," finally matches PC capabilities that existed since Intel's ATX standard in 1995. Wake on LAN only handled sleep mode, requiring physical power button presses for full shutdowns.

The setting appears in System Settings under Energy, where users select "Always" instead of the default "Never." Mac mini models from 2024 onward, Mac Studio introduced in 2025, and iMacs from 2024 support this functionality. Testing showed the M4 mini boots within two seconds of power restoration, though startup chimes may not play.

Practical applications include lab environments where machines accidentally shut down, and rack-mounted systems used in live broadcast or concert settings. Users with FileVault enabled must first SSH in and enter admin credentials to unlock the drive before remote login works. A bug prevents automatic boot if the Mac is powered off from the login screen.

This update resolves a genuine pain point for system administrators and AV professionals who rely on remote power cycling. While the feature arrives 30 years after PC adoption, it provides essential parity for Mac-based infrastructure that requires unattended operation.