macOS · System Info
View software licenses and regulatory certifications
The Legal & Regulatory page contains the macOS software license agreement, open-source acknowledgments, and regulatory certification marks required for different countries and regions.
How to open Legal & Regulatory
- Open System Settings → General → Legal & Regulatory
- Browse the license agreement, acknowledgments, or regulatory sections
- Use Command-F to search for specific terms within the document
What you should know
- Read the full macOS Software License Agreement
- View acknowledgments for open-source components used in macOS
- See regulatory compliance marks (FCC, CE, and others) relevant to your region
Why it matters
While rarely opened casually, this page matters for compliance, legal, and IT documentation purposes, particularly for organizations that need to reference exact license terms or regulatory certifications for procurement and audit requirements. The open-source acknowledgments are also relevant for developers curious about which open-source projects Apple builds into macOS. It's one of the few places where this information is centralized rather than scattered across separate documents.
Best practices
- Reference this page directly when IT or legal teams need official license text rather than searching third-party sources.
- Check regulatory marks here if a country-specific compliance question comes up for a fleet of managed Macs.
Common problems and fixes
- Can't find country-specific regulatory information.
- Regulatory marks are limited to what's applicable to your current region/locale setting; switch region temporarily if you need to check another market's marks.
Tips and tricks
- Search within the page (Command-F) if looking for a specific licensing clause rather than reading the entire document.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same agreement I accepted during setup?
Yes, it's the same Software License Agreement presented and accepted during initial macOS setup.
Does this list every open-source library used in macOS?
It lists major open-source acknowledgments, though not necessarily an exhaustive list of every dependency.
Related settings
- 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.
- 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.
More System Info guides for macOS
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.