Customize your Mac with System Preferences. You can change system settings to customize your Mac. For example, you can change the size and location of the Dock, choose a light or dark appearance, change the desktop picture, and more. To change System Preferences on your Mac, click the System Preferences icon in the Dock or choose Apple menu System Preferences. Mac’s System Preferences menu is your go-to for any and all changes or tweaks you want to make to your Mac. Becoming familiar with it, especially for new Mac users, is critical to getting everything you can out of your Mac purchase. Once you are familiar with the System Preferences, the next thing is to understand how the system folders work. You may need to open System Preferences from time to time to adjust network settings, change user account options, or some other task. If you don’t keep System Preferences in your Dock, you can.

Find Settings On Macbook Air

With Mac OS X, it is easy to customize your computer. Just click the System Preferences icon in the dock and a new window will appear. When System Preferences has loaded, simply click the preference pane that you think contain the setting that you wish to change.

Written by Mårten Björk •

With Mac OS X, it is easy to customize your computer. Just click the System Preferences icon in the dock and a new window will appear.

When System Preferences has loaded, simply click the preference pane that you think contain the setting that you wish to change.

Search for preferences

If none of the icons listed below match the settings you’re looking for, you can search for it. Apple has programmed the search function to understand some Windows-terms as well.

When you perform a search, the most appropriate result will be focused.

Common questions

Instead of rambling on about the contents of every single icon, we have chosen to write this article based on the things you want to change. We simply figured this was the best way for you to find your answers.

How do I change my background image (wallpaper, desktop image)?

Click the “Desktop and screen saver” icon and the settings will appear. This preference pane has two tabs, one for the desktop image and one for the screensaver.

In order to select a new background image, just choose one from the many available. You can add your own by dragging an image onto the preview area or by clicking the “choose picture” button in the desktop image list.

Portable Macs: I want to be able to click simply by tapping my trackpad (touchpad)

Piece of cake! Simply click the preference pane that says “Keyboard and Mouse”. There are four sub-categories. Choose “Trackpad”. Check the box that says “Clicking” and you are done.

Apple is always working on improving your security, and each macOS update brings new privacy features. In particular, macOS Catalina offers better control of your data. It requires apps to get your approval before accessing the camera and microphone on your Mac. Every time you open the application for the first time, you’ll need to permit it to use your computer’s camera.

Below we’ll show you how to give camera access for any installed app. Also, you’ll learn how to limit access for programs you suspect might be recording videos without your knowledge. Let’s dive in!

Securing your camera and microphone

By default, the latest macOS versions — macOS Mojave and macOS Catalina — prevent apps from getting your personal data without your permission. That’s why when you open the program that wants to access your hardware, you’ll receive a pop-up. To give access, you just have to click OK. If this is a reliable app from a legitimate developer, you’ll need to confirm once and never think about it again.

If you clicked “Don’t Allow,” you could easily change that later on your Mac. You can check what apps are allowed to use your camera and allow or block access at any time. And here’s how to do that.

How to manage your camera permissions

Now let’s see a few ways that allow the apps to access your camera. If you’re looking for a simple automated solution, jump straight to the last method.

#1: Use System Preferences

Follow these steps to give some apps access to your camera:

1. Go to the Apple menu.
2. Choose System Preferences.
3. Click Security & Privacy.
4. Choose Camera from the lefthand menu.
5. Allow the app to access your camera by ticking the box next to it.

If the application is opened on your Mac, you’ll receive a message asking you to quit it.

Click “Quit Now” and close the System Preferences window.

#2: Use your web browser

System Preferences Mac Password

Let’s see how to enable camera permissions via Google Chrome.

1. Open Chrome.
2. Go to the Chrome menu > Preferences.

1. Choose Advanced > Privacy & Security.
2. Under Privacy and security, click Site Settings.
3. Choose Camera.
4. Click Ask before accessing and adjust the setting to your liking.

The process is similar for all web browsers, so if you’re using Safari or Firefox, you shouldn’t have problems with finding camera permissions settings.

Cached

#3: Use Parental Controls

The parental control feature on Mac also allows you to manage your camera.

1. Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
2. Choose Parental Controls.
3. Click Enable Parental Controls.
4. Enter your admin password if you’re asked.
5. Click on the Apps tab and check Allow use of camera.

If you want to block camera access, uncheck the box. This will prevent all the apps on your Mac from using the built-in cameras.

#4: Use the app CleanMyMac X

We’ve come to the smoothest and the most intuitive way of taking care of your app permissions — with the help of an app called CleanMyMac X.

This program has a lot of useful features, like cleaning your Mac from junk files, speeding up the system, checking your computer for viruses and malware, and much more. Recently a new feature “Application Permissions” was released, and it allows controlling all your permissions, including your camera, in a few clicks. You should check it out!

1. Download CleanMyMac X (a free trial version is available).
2. Launch the app.
3. Go to the Privacy tab.
4. Click Scan.
5. Choose “Application Permissions.”
6. Check what apps have access to your camera and make changes.

Note: This feature is available only on macOS Catalina.

Once you’ve solved the issue with your permissions, check out other CleanMyMac’s tools. We recommend you to run a Smart Scan first. It will find unneeded files, determine potential threats, and define suitable speedup tasks for your Mac.

Then feel free to try other tools in the left panel —you’ll find a lot of useful tools for making your Mac as good as new.

System Preferences Mac Shortcut

Thanks for reading and stay tuned!