macOS Personalization settings
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.
Other macOS categories
- SystemKeep your device current and configure core system behavior.
- Privacy & SecurityControl which apps can access your camera, microphone, and data.
- Network & InternetWi-Fi, Bluetooth, and network connection settings.
- Display & SoundScreen, audio, and alert preferences.
- Storage & BackupManage space, back up your data, and stay protected against loss.
- Accounts & FamilyAccount sign-in, sync, and family/parental controls.
- AccessibilityAssistive features, input, and language & region settings.
- TroubleshootingReset, restart, and diagnose common issues.
- DevicesMice, keyboards, trackpads, printers, and other connected hardware.
- AppsInstalled apps, optional features, and what runs on startup.
- System InfoDevice details, advanced settings, and activation status.