System Settings on Mac

What is System Settings on Mac?

System Settings is the control panel of your Mac. It’s the one app where you manage system-wide options—things like Wi-Fi, display brightness, sound, accounts, and privacy. These settings shape the whole computer, not just a single app.

That’s different from the preferences inside individual apps. When you change the font in Pages or the default zoom in Safari, you’re only adjusting that one app. System Settings, on the other hand, controls how the entire Mac behaves.

We’d like to remind you that the options can differ by Mac model, macOS version, connected accessories, and installed apps.

A note from our experts: 

 

No matter which Apple laptop model you use regularly, cleaning your computer space is a must to maintain smooth performance and extend your machine's lifespan. That’s why using MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup is one of the basic steps we recommend for Mac newbies, as it’s no less important than understanding how to use your Apple System Settings.

 

Learn how to use our cleaning tool below:

1. Download MacKeeper, then install and launch our app.
2. Select Safe Cleanup, then click the Start Scan button.  
3. See the scan results.
4. Pick the necessary boxes on the left, and choose Clean Junk Files.

 

System Settings vs System Preferences

If you’ve used a Mac for a while, you’ll remember how you used to get to System Preferences on Mac. That was the name Apple used in macOS Monterey and earlier. Starting with macOS Ventura, Apple renamed it to System Settings and gave it a fresh look.

The layout changed too—the old grid of icons became a scrolling sidebar, similar to the Settings app on iPhone or iPad. Both names point to the same place, so don’t worry if a tutorial still says System Preferences.

Where is System Settings on Mac?

There are several ways to open the app—pick whichever feels natural:

• The Apple menu on Mac—click the Apple logo in the top-left corner, then choose System Settings. It’s a reliable route.
• The Dock—look for the gray gear icon and give it a click.
• Spotlight—press Command-Space, type System Settings, and press Return.
• Finder—open a window, then find System Settings in the Applications folder.

Any of these lets you access System Settings on Mac in a couple of seconds.

How to navigate System Settings?

Once it’s open, System Settings is simple to move around. On the left, a scrollable sidebar lists categories like Wi-Fi, Notifications, and Privacy & Security. Click any category and its controls appear on the right, where you’ll find toggles, drop-down menus, and buttons that open subpages for advanced choices.

Some changes are protected. If you adjust security options or add a user, macOS may ask for Touch ID or an administrator password. That’s normal—it keeps the wrong person from changing settings that matter.

How to search for setting?

We’ve all forgotten which category holds a setting. When that happens, we reach for the search field at the top of the sidebar. Type a keyword—say, “brightness” or “keyboard”—and the Mac settings menu quickly filters to the matching controls.

This is handy when you want to check System Settings on Mac but don’t know the exact category. The search saves you from clicking through every section of your Mac desktop settings.

How to use System Settings on Mac?

System Settings groups everything into categories, and each one controls a different part of your Mac. On the rare occasion the panel stops responding, our tips for a Mac System Settings frozen screen can help you get moving again. Let’s walk through the main categories below together, so you’ll always know where your setting lives.

Apple Account and iCloud settings

At the top of the sidebar sits your Apple Account. This section manages your personal info, connected devices, iCloud services, subscriptions, Family Sharing, and payments across your Apple devices. It’s also where you change Apple ID on Mac when you switch to a new account.

Here’s how to reach it:

1. Open System Settings from the Apple menu.
2. Click your name at the top of the sidebar.
3. Select a service, such as iCloud or Media & Purchases, to manage it.

General settings

The General section holds broad system-management options—details about your Mac, software updates, storage, login items, sharing, Time Machine, and startup or reset controls. We consider it a good place to see how much storage on Mac you’ve left.

Here’s how we get there:

1. Click General in the sidebar.
2. Choose a subpage, like Storage or Software Update.
3. Adjust the options you need on the right.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and network settings

These categories manage how your Mac connects—join Wi-Fi networks, pair Bluetooth accessories, set up Ethernet, add a VPN, and turn on the firewall. If your connection acts up, you can reset network settings and start fresh.

Try this:

1. Select Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in the sidebar.
2. Pick a network or device to connect.
3. Click Details to open advanced options.

Appearance, wallpaper, and desktop settings

These settings control Light or Dark Mode, accent colors, wallpaper, screen savers, the Dock, and desktop items. You can even make lockscreen and homescreen different on Mac for a personal touch.

Let’s set it up:

1. Open Appearance or Wallpaper in the sidebar.
2. Choose your preferred style or image.
3. Watch the change apply right away.

Display and sound settings

Here you fine-tune what you see and hear—brightness, resolution, Night Shift, audio input and output, volume, and system sounds. Connect a second monitor, and you can extend display on your Mac for more room to work.

Here’s the way:

1. Click Displays or Sound in the sidebar.
2. Drag the sliders to set brightness or volume.
3. Select an external display or speaker if one’s connected.

Keyboard, mouse, and trackpad settings

These controls shape how your Mac responds to typing and clicks—shortcuts, input sources, scrolling, gestures, and pointer behavior. For instance, we advise you to change mouse speed on a Mac if the cursor feels too quick or too slow.

Give this a go:

1. Select Keyboard, Mouse, or Trackpad.
2. Move the sliders to set speed and sensitivity.
3. Test the feel and tweak as needed.

Notifications and Focus settings

Here you manage alerts from each app and build Focus modes for work, study, or rest. You can mute notifications on Mac during a meeting and let them back in later.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Open Notifications or Focus in the sidebar.
2. Pick an app to adjust its alerts.
3. Create a Focus mode and set when it turns on.

Privacy & Security settings

This section sets the permissions that decide which apps can reach your files, location, camera, microphone, and other private data. It also covers FileVault and allowed app sources. When you install a new app, we recommend you to change security preferences on Mac.

Here’s what to do:

1. Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
2. Choose a category, such as Camera or Location Services.
3. Toggle access on or off for each app.

Users & Groups and login settings

Users & Groups lets you manage administrator, standard, and guest accounts, plus how people log in. Turning on fast user switching on Mac makes hopping between accounts quick.

Set it up like this:

1. Open Users & Groups in the sidebar.
2. Click Add Account to create a new one.
3. Set the account type and a password.

Battery and energy settings

On MacBook models, this section shows how your battery is used and lets you review usage history, manage charging, and adjust sleep behavior. You can change power settings on MacBook to save energy on the go.

Let’s take a look:

1. Click Battery in the sidebar.
2. Review your recent battery usage.
3. Adjust Options for charging and sleep.

Accessibility settings

macOS includes accessibility tools for vision, hearing, mobility, and reading, plus spoken feedback, display comfort, and keyboard control—so the Mac fits the way you work.

Explore them here:

1. Open Accessibility in the sidebar.
2. Pick an area, like Vision or Hearing.
3. Turn on the features that suit you.

Siri, Spotlight, and Screen Time settings

These settings personalize how your Mac assists you—customize Siri, choose what appears in Spotlight results, and use Screen Time to monitor usage and set limits. On supported models, you can also use Apple Intelligence on Mac for everyday help.

Here’s how it works:

1. Select Siri & Spotlight or Screen Time.
2. Adjust the options for each feature.
3. Set app or website limits if you’d like.

Control Center and menu bar settings

This section lets you decide which controls appear in Control Center and the menu bar. Once set up, open Control Center on Mac from the menu bar with a single click.

Follow our instructions below:

1. Click the Menu bar in the sidebar.
2. Choose which items appear in the menu bar.
3. Toggle extras on for faster access.

Keep your Mac clean while you explore its settings

System Settings is the central place to manage accounts, connections, appearance, hardware, security, updates, accessibility, and everyday Mac behavior. When you’re not sure where an option lives, lean on the search field—it’ll point you straight to it.

As you tidy your settings, we suggest tidying your storage too. Cluttered caches and junk files build up over time, leaving your Mac feeling sluggish. MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup clears that clutter in one click, empties the trash, and frees up space—without touching your personal files.