The problem
Migrating data to a new Mac or an external drive can take hours for large libraries. Sleep interrupts the transfer and may require starting over.
Why it happens
Migration Assistant prevents sleep during its own process, but manual file copies, rsync operations, and third-party migration tools don't.
The fix: Shake It On
Shake It On keeps your Mac awake by moving the mouse slightly at regular intervals. macOS sees real user activity and resets the idle timer. Set it up with the right conditions and it only runs when you're actually data migration.
Recommended conditions for data migration:
- Only Shake If external disk is connected
- Only Shake If a USB device is connected (matching your migration drive's name)
- Paused When on battery
Tip
USB device match (1.1.0) is more precise than the generic 'External disk connected' check — it only fires for the named drive. Plug in the migration drive, the Mac stays awake; pull it out, normal sleep resumes.Shake It On keeps your Mac awake during data migration with smart conditions. $9.99 one-time.
Keep your Mac awake the easy way.
Shake It On lives in your menu bar and uses organic mouse movement to prevent sleep. Set it once and forget it.
One-time purchase. No subscription. Free updates forever.