macOS settings and support guides

System

Keep your device current and configure core system behavior.

• Software UpdateSoftware Update in System Settings keeps macOS current with the latest security fixes, features, and app compatibility improvements. Regular updates help keep your Mac fast, stable, and protected.
• Automatic UpdatesThis is the set of individual toggles inside Software Update that decide whether macOS checks for updates, downloads them, and installs security responses, system files, and app updates without asking you each time. You can automate the whole pipeline or keep manual approval at any step.
• Update HistoryUpdate History lists every macOS update, security response, and Apple software update that has ever been installed on this Mac, along with the date and version number. It's the fastest way to confirm exactly what's been patched and when.
• Beta UpdatesBeta Updates lets you opt this Mac into pre-release macOS software — either the public beta or, with a developer account, the developer beta — so you can try upcoming features before they're officially released. Beta software is less stable and should only run on a Mac you don't depend on daily.
• Rapid Security ResponsesRapid Security Responses are small, fast-turnaround updates Apple issues between full macOS releases to patch urgent, actively exploited security issues. They install quickly, often without a restart, and are labeled with a letter suffix like 'macOS Sonoma 14.5 (a)'.
• App Store Automatic App UpdatesControl whether apps downloaded from the Mac App Store update automatically in the background as new versions become available.
• Update Now vs. Upgrade LaterWhen both are available, decide whether to install just the latest security or point update for your current macOS version, or perform a full upgrade to the newest major macOS release.
• Update Installation SchedulingFine-tune whether macOS installs downloaded updates immediately, overnight, or only after explicit confirmation, minimizing disruption during active work sessions.
• Managed Updates (Enterprise/School)See when an employer or school's device management policy is deferring, restricting, or controlling macOS update availability on a managed Mac.
• Update macOS from the Command LineUse the built-in softwareupdate command-line tool in Terminal to list, download, and install macOS updates without opening System Settings, useful for scripting and remote management.

Privacy & Security

Control which apps can access your camera, microphone, and data.

• FileVault Disk EncryptionFileVault encrypts the entire startup disk on your Mac, so your data stays protected even if the device is lost or stolen. Only someone with your password or recovery key can unlock and read the disk.
• Camera & Microphone PrivacyPrivacy & Security settings let you review and control exactly which apps are allowed to use your Mac's camera and microphone, so you always know what has access to audio and video.
• Privacy & SecurityThe Privacy & Security settings pane is the central hub for controlling app permissions, FileVault encryption, Gatekeeper protections, Lockdown Mode, and analytics sharing — essentially every major security and data-access decision on your Mac in one place.
• App PermissionsBeyond camera and microphone, macOS tracks separate permissions for things like Full Disk Access, Files & Folders, Automation, Accessibility, and Local Network — each controlling exactly what a specific app is allowed to see or control on your Mac.
• Activation Lock (Find My Mac)Activation Lock automatically protects your Mac the moment Find My Mac is turned on, requiring your Apple Account password or device passcode before anyone can turn off Find My, erase the Mac, or reactivate it after an erase — making a lost or stolen Mac far less useful to whoever has it.
• Location ServicesManage system-wide Location Services and grant or deny individual apps and system features permission to use your Mac's estimated location.
• Full Disk AccessAuthorize specific apps, usually backup, security, or automation tools, to read protected locations across your entire disk that are normally off-limits.
• Screen Recording PermissionControl which apps are allowed to record or capture the contents of your screen, a permission required by screen-sharing, recording, and streaming tools.
• Apple AdvertisingTurn Personalized Ads on or off to control whether Apple uses your activity within its own apps, like the App Store and News, to show more relevant advertising.
• Contacts & Calendar Access PermissionsThis privacy page lists every app that has requested access to your Contacts, Calendars, or Reminders, and lets you grant or revoke that access individually per app.

Network & Internet

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and network connection settings.

• Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you join, manage, and prioritize wireless networks on your Mac, including hidden networks and networks that require a captive-portal sign-in.
• Bluetooth DevicesBluetooth settings let you pair and manage wireless accessories such as keyboards, trackpads, mice, headphones, and speakers with your Mac.
• VPN & Network ProfilesVPN settings let you connect to a private network over an encrypted tunnel — common for remote work — while Network preferences let you manage multiple connection profiles, proxies, and advanced TCP/IP settings for different locations or services.
• AirDrop & HandoffAirDrop lets you wirelessly send files, photos, and links directly to nearby Apple devices without email or messaging apps, while Handoff lets you start something on one Apple device — like a browser tab or email draft — and pick it up instantly on your Mac.
• Screen Sharing & Remote LoginScreen Sharing lets you view and control another Mac's screen remotely (or let someone control yours), while Remote Login enables secure command-line (SSH) access to your Mac from another computer. Both are toggled independently under Sharing settings.
• EthernetEthernet settings manage wired network connections through built-in Ethernet ports or USB and Thunderbolt adapters, including IP configuration, DNS, and connection priority relative to Wi-Fi.
• FirewallThe built-in Firewall controls which apps and services are allowed to accept incoming network connections, adding a layer of protection against unauthorized access while connected to any network.
• ProxiesProxy settings let you route web and other network traffic for a given network connection through a specified proxy server, either configured manually or automatically via a PAC file or auto-discovery protocol.
• Thunderbolt BridgeThunderbolt Bridge creates a direct, high-speed network connection between two Macs connected with a Thunderbolt cable, useful for fast file transfers or Target Disk Mode-style workflows without a router.
• Personal HotspotPersonal Hotspot settings let a Mac connect to the internet through a nearby iPhone or iPad's cellular data connection, either automatically via Instant Hotspot or by manually joining the hotspot network.

Display & Sound

Screen, audio, and alert preferences.

• Displays SettingsDisplays settings let you change resolution, brightness, arrangement of multiple monitors, and features like Night Shift and True Tone for more comfortable viewing.
• Sound & NotificationsSound settings control input/output devices and alert volume, while Notifications & Focus let you decide which apps can interrupt you and when — including scheduled Focus modes like Work or Sleep.
• FocusFocus lets you silence notifications and distractions while you concentrate on a specific task, like work, personal time, or sleep. You can allow only certain people and apps through, and each Focus can turn on automatically on a schedule or when you open a certain app.
• AppearanceAppearance settings control whether macOS uses a Light or Dark theme, or automatically switches between them based on time of day, along with accent color, highlight color, and sidebar icon size preferences.
• WallpaperWallpaper settings let you choose a still image, Apple's dynamic or live wallpapers that change with time of day, or your own photo collection to display as the Desktop background, with independent options per display.
• Night ShiftNight Shift automatically shifts the colors of your display to the warmer end of the spectrum in the evening, based on a schedule or sunset-to-sunrise timing, to reduce blue light exposure before bed.
• True ToneTrue Tone uses the Mac's ambient light sensors to automatically adjust the display's white balance to match the surrounding lighting conditions, making white appear consistently natural under different light sources.
• Sound Output & InputSound Output & Input settings let you select which speakers or headphones play audio and which microphone captures it, and adjust device-specific levels like output volume balance and input gain.
• Sound Effects & Alert VolumeSound Effects settings control which alert sound plays for system notifications and errors, its volume relative to media playback, and whether interface actions like Trash emptying play a sound.
• Notification Center WidgetsNotification Center's widget gallery lets you add, remove, and resize glanceable widgets for weather, calendar, reminders, and other apps, arranged in a stack you can scroll through.

Storage & Backup

Manage space, back up your data, and stay protected against loss.

• Time Machine BackupTime Machine automatically backs up your entire Mac — apps, accounts, preferences, and files — to an external or network drive, so you can restore individual files or your whole system if something goes wrong.
• Storage ManagementStorage settings show a visual breakdown of exactly what's using space on your Mac's disk, plus built-in recommendations — like storing files in iCloud or automatically emptying the Trash — to free up space without manually hunting for large files yourself.
• Optimize StorageOptimize Storage is a set of Apple-recommended actions — like storing files in iCloud, auto-emptying the Trash, and removing watched TV shows and movies — that free up local disk space with minimal effort. It's found inside About This Mac's Storage settings.
• iCloud DriveiCloud Drive keeps your files in sync across every device signed into the same Apple ID, and can automatically include your Desktop and Documents folders so they're backed up and accessible from any Mac, iPhone, or iPad. Files sync in the background and are accessible from the Finder sidebar or iCloud.com.
• External StorageExternal Storage covers how macOS handles USB, Thunderbolt, and network-attached drives connected to your Mac — formatting them, choosing a file system, ejecting safely, and deciding which ones are eligible for Time Machine backups. Disk Utility is the main tool for managing these drives.
• Documents & Desktop iCloud SyncAutomatically upload the contents of your Desktop and Documents folders to iCloud Drive so they stay backed up and accessible from other signed-in devices.
• Migration AssistantMove apps, files, user accounts, and settings from another Mac, a Time Machine backup, or a Windows PC onto your current Mac using the built-in Migration Assistant utility.
• Disk Utility: Partition & Format DrivesUse Disk Utility to create or resize partitions, format internal or external drives to a specific file system, and erase disks before reuse.
• iCloud+ FeaturesEnable and configure premium iCloud+ features such as iCloud Private Relay, Hide My Email, and HomeKit Secure Video storage tied to your paid iCloud storage plan.
• Download a Copy of Your DataRequest a downloadable archive of the personal data associated with your Apple ID, including iCloud content, purchase history, and account details, through the Data & Privacy portal.

Accounts & Family

Account sign-in, sync, and family/parental controls.

• Apple Account & iCloud SynciCloud settings control which of your apps and data — Photos, Mail, Contacts, Find My Mac, and more — stay in sync across all your Apple devices, plus your iCloud storage plan.
• Family SharingFamily Sharing links up to six Apple IDs into one group so everyone can share iCloud+ storage, App Store and iTunes purchases, and subscriptions like Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade — without sharing passwords. It also gives parents tools like Ask to Buy and Screen Time to manage what kids can access.
• Internet AccountsInternet Accounts is where you add non-Apple email, contacts, and calendar accounts — like Google, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo, or a standard IMAP account — so they sync into Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Notes. It's separate from your Apple ID and handles every other account you use on the Mac.
• Users & GroupsUsers & Groups lets you create additional accounts for other people who use this Mac, decide whether each one is an administrator or a standard user, and organize accounts into groups for permission purposes. It's the foundation for keeping multiple people's files and settings separate on a shared Mac.
• Password & Sign-inThis settings area covers your Mac account password, Touch ID fingerprint enrollment, and AutoFill for passwords and passkeys saved in your keychain. It's where you change your login password and decide how quickly Touch ID or a password is required to unlock the Mac.
• Screen TimeScreen Time shows how much time you or a child spend in apps and on websites, and lets you set app limits, downtime schedules, and content restrictions that sync across signed-in Apple devices.
• iCloud KeychainiCloud Keychain securely stores and syncs passwords, passkeys, and payment information across your Apple devices using end-to-end encryption, and can autofill them in Safari and other apps.
• Game CenterGame Center settings control your public gaming profile, friends list, and social features like leaderboards and achievements that sync across Apple devices for supported games.
• Wallet & Apple PayWallet & Apple Pay settings let you add and manage credit, debit, and transit cards for use with Apple Pay on the web and in apps, and configure default cards and shipping information.
• Apple Account SecurityApple Account Security settings manage two-factor authentication, trusted phone numbers, trusted devices, and recovery options that protect sign-in to your Apple Account across all your devices.

Accessibility

Assistive features, input, and language & region settings.

• Accessibility SettingsAccessibility settings on Mac include VoiceOver screen reading, Zoom for magnification, Voice Control, and many vision, hearing, and mobility features to make macOS easier to use.
• Language & RegionLanguage & Region settings control which language macOS and your apps display in, plus regional formatting for dates, times, numbers, currency, and the calendar system used system-wide. You can also set different preferred languages per individual app.
• VoiceOverVoiceOver is macOS's built-in screen reader, describing aloud what's on screen — windows, buttons, text, and images — so you can use the entire Mac without seeing the display. It works through keyboard commands and gestures rather than a mouse.
• ZoomZoom is macOS's built-in screen magnifier, letting you enlarge everything on the display using keyboard shortcuts, trackpad gestures, or the mouse scroll wheel, without needing a separate magnifying app. It works independently of display resolution settings.
• Voice ControlVoice Control lets you operate your entire Mac — clicking, typing, opening apps, and navigating menus — using only spoken commands, with all speech processing done on-device for privacy. It's built for people who can't use a traditional mouse and keyboard, but works for anyone who wants hands-free control.
• Switch ControlSwitch Control lets you operate your entire Mac using one or more adaptive switches, a game controller, or the keyboard instead of a mouse and trackpad, by scanning through onscreen items and selecting with a button press.
• CaptionsCaptions settings control how closed captions and subtitles appear across macOS, including text style, background, and size, and let you require captions whenever available in supported media.
• Sound RecognitionSound Recognition uses on-device listening to detect sounds such as a doorbell, smoke alarm, or crying baby, and shows a notification on screen so people who are deaf or hard of hearing do not miss them.
• Display AccommodationsDisplay Accommodations groups visual comfort settings such as Reduce Motion, Increase Contrast, Differentiate Without Color, and color filters, letting you tune how the interface renders for visual comfort or color vision differences.
• Pointer ControlPointer Control provides accessibility-focused cursor options, including size and color customization, Dwell Control for click-free selection, and Head Pointer for hands-free cursor movement using the camera.

Troubleshooting

Reset, restart, and diagnose common issues.

• Erase & Reset MacErase All Content and Settings lets you wipe your Mac back to factory defaults — useful for major troubleshooting, or before selling, trading in, or giving away your device.
• macOS RecoverymacOS Recovery is a built-in set of utilities for reinstalling macOS, restoring from a Time Machine backup, repairing a damaged disk, and resetting a forgotten password — all accessible without needing a working copy of macOS already running.
• Safe ModeSafe Mode starts your Mac with only essential system software and drivers loaded, skipping login items, most fonts, and system caches. It's a diagnostic first step used to determine whether a startup problem is caused by third-party software or a deeper system issue.
• Analytics & ImprovementsAnalytics & Improvements controls whether your Mac automatically sends crash reports and usage analytics to Apple, and optionally to third-party app developers, to help them find and fix bugs. It's separate from location services and general privacy settings, focused specifically on diagnostic and usage data.
• Activity MonitorActivity Monitor is macOS's built-in tool for seeing exactly what's using your Mac's CPU, memory, energy, disk, and network resources in real time, broken down by individual app and process. It's the first place to look when the Mac feels slow, hot, or the fan is running loudly.
• Disk Utility First AidRun Disk Utility's First Aid tool to check a disk or volume for directory and file system errors and attempt automatic repair.
• Apple DiagnosticsUse Apple Diagnostics, launched at startup, to test your Mac's hardware components including memory, logic board, and battery for underlying issues.
• Console: View System LogsUse the Console app to view real-time and historical system logs, crash reports, and diagnostic messages generated by macOS and installed apps.
• Reinstall macOSReinstall the current version of macOS over your existing system through Recovery Mode, replacing system files while keeping your apps, settings, and personal data intact.
• Force Quit Unresponsive AppsUse the Force Quit Applications window to immediately close an app that has stopped responding, without needing to restart the entire Mac.

Personalization

Themes, wallpaper, lock screen, and layout of your device.

• Desktop & DockDesktop & Dock settings control the size, position, and behavior of the Dock, along with desktop options like Stage Manager, widgets, and how windows and Mission Control behave. It's the main place to make the Dock and desktop work the way you want.
• Menu Bar & Control CenterControl Center gives you quick access to frequently used settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Focus, and display brightness from a single menu bar icon. You can customize which controls appear in Control Center and which ones show directly in the menu bar for one-click access.
• Wallpaper & Screen SaverWallpaper settings let you set the desktop picture — from Apple's built-in dynamic and aerial images to your own photos — and configure the screen saver that appears after your Mac sits idle. Recent macOS versions combine both into a single Wallpaper settings pane.
• Lock ScreenLock Screen settings control when your Mac requires a password after sleep or screen saver, how long it waits before locking, and what's shown at the login window — all central to protecting your Mac from casual tampering or unauthorized access.
• Appearance (Light, Dark & Auto)Choose whether macOS displays a light, dark, or automatically switching interface theme across the Dock, menu bar, Finder, and supported apps.
• Accent Color & Highlight ColorSet the accent color used for buttons, checkboxes, and links, and a separate highlight color used for selected text and list items.
• Focus & Do Not DisturbCreate and schedule Focus modes such as Do Not Disturb, Work, or Personal that filter which notifications and apps can interrupt you.
• Stage ManagerEnable Stage Manager to automatically arrange open windows into a single focused workspace with recent windows shown as thumbnails along the side.
• Hot CornersSet each corner of your screen to instantly trigger an action such as Mission Control, Desktop, Notification Center, or starting a screen saver when you move your cursor there.
• Login Window Appearance & MessageLogin window settings control what appears before anyone signs in, including whether user accounts are listed by name or require typing a username, and an optional custom message.

Devices

Mice, keyboards, trackpads, printers, and other connected hardware.

• TrackpadTrackpad settings control click pressure, tracking speed, scrolling direction, and the full set of multi-touch gestures used for navigating macOS — everything from a simple tap-to-click to four-finger app switching.
• MouseMouse settings control tracking speed, scrolling direction, and secondary-click behavior for any connected mouse, including Apple's Magic Mouse, which also supports its own set of swipe gestures.
• KeyboardKeyboard settings control key repeat speed, modifier key behavior, text input sources, and Dictation — plus Touch Bar customization on supported MacBook Pro models. It's also where you add languages and manage keyboard shortcuts across the system.
• Printers & ScannersPrinters & Scanners settings let you add, configure, and manage printers and scanners connected over USB, Wi-Fi, or a network, including setting a default printer and checking on active print jobs.
• BatteryBattery settings show battery level history, condition, and power usage by app on Mac laptops, and let you configure power modes and options like optimized battery charging.
• CDs & DVDsCDs & DVDs settings let you choose what happens automatically when you insert a music CD, picture CD, video DVD, or blank disc into a connected optical drive, such as opening a specific app.
• DictationDictation lets you speak instead of type in nearly any text field on the Mac, converting speech to text using either on-device processing or enhanced online recognition depending on the language and settings.
• Bluetooth Accessory DetailsClicking a paired Bluetooth accessory in Bluetooth settings, such as AirPods, a Magic Keyboard, or a Magic Mouse, shows detailed information including battery percentage, firmware version, and connection options specific to that device.
• Continuity Camera & SidecarContinuity Camera lets your iPhone act as a high-quality webcam or document scanner for your Mac, while Sidecar turns a nearby iPad into a wired or wireless second display or graphics tablet.
• AirPlay ReceiverAirPlay Receiver turns your Mac into an AirPlay destination, so an iPhone, iPad, or other Mac can stream its screen or audio directly to your Mac's display and speakers.

Apps

Installed apps, optional features, and what runs on startup.

• Mission Control & SpacesMission Control gives you a bird's-eye view of every open window and virtual desktop (called a Space) on your Mac, so you can quickly find a window or switch contexts. Spaces let you group apps by project or activity instead of piling every window onto one desktop.
• General & Default AppsThe General settings pane covers system-wide basics like software update, storage, and login items, while default app settings let you choose which app opens web links, email, and specific file types instead of relying on Apple's built-in apps.
• Login Items & ExtensionsLogin Items & Extensions settings control which apps and documents open automatically when you log in, plus which system extensions — like Finder add-ons, sharing options, and background helper processes — are allowed to run.
• Siri & SpotlightSiri settings control your Mac's voice assistant — activation phrase, voice, and language — while Spotlight settings determine what shows up when you search with Command-Space, including which categories of results and suggestions appear.
• ExtensionsExtensions settings let you enable or disable add-ons that other apps install into Finder, the Share menu, Today widgets, and other system surfaces, giving you control over what third-party code can hook into.
• Passwords AppThe Passwords app provides a dedicated interface for viewing, organizing, and sharing the passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes stored in iCloud Keychain, separate from Safari's AutoFill settings.
• Game ControllersGame Controllers settings let you pair Bluetooth controllers such as PlayStation DualSense, Xbox Wireless Controllers, and MFi controllers with your Mac, and customize button mapping for supported games.
• Universal ControlUniversal Control lets you use a single keyboard and mouse or trackpad to work seamlessly across a Mac and a nearby iPad or second Mac, and drag content such as files and images between them.
• Shortcuts AppThe Shortcuts app lets you build multi-step automations that run apps, files, and system actions in sequence, either manually, on a schedule, or triggered by an event.
• Screenshots & Screen RecordingThe Screenshot toolbar (opened with Shift-Command-5) controls where captures are saved, whether the pointer is included, a capture timer, and lets you record all or part of the screen as a video.

System Info

Device details, advanced settings, and activation status.

• Date & TimeDate & Time settings keep your Mac's clock accurate by syncing automatically with a network time server, or let you set the date, time, and time zone manually when automatic detection isn't appropriate.
• About This MacAbout This Mac (accessible from the Apple menu) shows your Mac's model, chip or processor, memory, macOS version, and serial number at a glance, plus a detailed system report and storage breakdown for deeper troubleshooting.
• System ReportSystem Report (opened via the System Information app) provides a full technical inventory of your Mac — every connected device, installed application, network configuration, and hardware component — far beyond the summary shown in About This Mac. It's the tool Apple Support usually asks you to check when diagnosing hardware issues.
• Startup DiskStartup Disk lets you select which internal or external bootable volume your Mac uses when it powers on, useful if you have multiple macOS installations, a bootable backup, or a Windows partition via Boot Camp on an Intel Mac. Apple silicon Macs manage most of this through Startup Security Utility instead.
• Serial Number & CoverageThis is where you locate your Mac's serial number and check whether it's still covered by Apple's limited warranty or an AppleCare+ plan. You'll need the serial number for support calls, insurance claims, or verifying coverage before a repair.
• Sharing & Computer NameView and change the name your Mac uses on local networks and AirDrop, and manage which sharing services like File Sharing or Screen Sharing are enabled.
• Profiles (Device Management)See configuration profiles installed on your Mac by an employer, school, or manually, which can enforce settings like Wi-Fi configurations, restrictions, or MDM enrollment.
• macOS Version & Build NumberClicking the macOS version number in About This Mac reveals the exact build number, useful when a support agent, developer, or compatibility check needs more precision than the marketing version name.
• Legal & RegulatoryThe Legal & Regulatory page contains the macOS software license agreement, open-source acknowledgments, and regulatory certification marks required for different countries and regions.

Help and tools

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