macOS 26.5’s new setting might solve Mac mini power button complaints

macOS Tahoe 26.5 was released today, and while it’s light on changes, the update does include interesting new ‘Power control’ settings for compatible Mac desktops. And one might just be Apple’s answer to M4 Mac mini power button complaints.

Power control settings lets you turn on Mac automatically, or via third-party accessories

macOS 26.5 is overall a fairly small update for Mac, with bigger changes arriving in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5.

But the update does have some interesting new settings for Mac desktops.

A new support document reveals that you can now choose to have your Mac mini, Mac Studio, or iMac automatically turn on when connected to power.

Only select models are compatible, including the M4 Mac mini, M4 iMac, and the Mac Studio introduced in 2025.

Funnily enough, Apple says this can be helpful “when you don’t have easy access to the computer’s power button.” The M4 Mac mini famously sparked a lot of complaints about its power button placement.

macOS 26.5 also lets you manage your Mac’s power state via third-party accessories. Per Apple’s release notes:

• Power control setting in Energy for Mac mini, Mac Studio, and iMac enables you to power off or restart your Mac using assistive accessories like switches

Assistive accessories are largely intended for accessibility purposes. You can find some of Apple’s recommended accessories here.

But like all accessibility additions, users can benefit from Apple’s features in a variety of ways.

For example, users without mobility challenges may still have reasons why they’d like to control their Mac mini, Mac Studio, or iMac’s power state via an external switch.

Are you interested in using macOS 26.5’s new power control settings? What are the use cases for you? Let us know in the comments.

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