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macOS

Updated June 17, 2025

Product information

Product website

https://apple.com/macos/

Apple Intelligence

https://www.apple.com/apple-intelligence/

Guides

Video Tutorials

Extras

Updating macOS

  1. Go to Apple Menu () > System Settings… > General > Software update.
  2. You should see the most recent macOS update available for download (you can install other updates if any are available, if you wish).
  3. Click on Install on the right.
    • It's possible at this moment that it will ask for your user account password (1).
  4. It will take about 15 minutes to download and another 20-30 minutes to prepare the update.
    • You can keep working during this process if you want.
  5. Once it is ready the button changes to Restart, click on it.
    • At this point you need to stop working if that's the case.
    • Again, it's possible that it will ask you to enter your user account password (2), but less likely.
  6. The process takes about 30-45 minutes to complete.
  7. Once it is done it will restart and get you back to the login screen. You can log back in and use your computer.
  1. This is the password for your own user account, not the admin one.
  2. This is the password for your own user account, not the admin one.

Alternatives to the macOS Finder — File managers

Reccomended System Settings

  • Siri can be enabled, but:
    • Uncheck Listen for "Hey Siri".
    • When asked, click Don't share dictations with Apple.
  • Desktop & Dock > Default Browser should be Google Chrome.
  • General > Airdrop & Handoff
    • Allow Handoff between this Mac and… should be off.
    • Airplay Receiver should be off.
  • General > Software Updates > Automatic updates:
    • Download new updates to on.
    • Install macOS updates to off.
    • Install application updates from the App Store to on.
    • Install Security Responses & system files to on.
  • General > About: insert the person's full name in the Name field.
  • General > Sharing:
    • Turn on Remote Management and Remote login, with all options, and allow only the admin user (not the administrator group).
    • Everything else set to off.
  • Lock Screen:
    • Start Screen Saver when inactive should be set to after 20 minutes (or lower).
    • Require password immediately after sleep or screen saver begins: set to 5 seconds or immediately.
  • Notifications Show previews set to When Unlocked (near the top).
  • iCloud > See All:
    • iCloud Drive should be on, as well as Desktop & Documents Folders. Same for Optimize Storage.
    • Find my Mac should be on (if available).
    • Passwords & Keychain should be off (as to not interfere with 1Password).
    • Contacts & Calendars should be off (we use Google Workspace).
    • The rest is as you wish.
  • TouchID:
    • Make sure the saved fingerprints are named with the user's first name and which finger it is.
    • Uncheck Apple Pay & purchases on App Store, those are off.
    • Make sure unlock your Mac and fast user switching are on.
  • Users & Groups: deactivate/turn off the Guest account.
    • Automatic log in as has to be off.
    • Same for password hints.
  • Privacy & Security:
    • Allow apps downloaded from set to App Store and identified developers.
    • FileVault should be on and the recovery key saved inside 1Password.
    • Location services can be enabled for the following:
      • Maps
      • Calendar
      • Find My
      • Siri
      • System Services > Setting Time Zone
      • System Services > Show location icon in Control Center...
      • Weather
  • Network > Wifi:
    • uncheck Ask to join Personal Hotspots and Ask to join new networks.
  • Bluetooth turn off if there is no Bluetooth peripherals used with your computer.