The right way to arrange your Mac like a professional

It’s an incredible season to get a brand new Mac. Each Mac right now is a superb purchase. When you’re one of many fortunate individuals to get one this 12 months, right here’s easy methods to set it up like a professional.

So rip open that field, tear off that plastic and get to the good things.

If that is your first Mac with Apple’s highly effective new chips inside, you’re in for an actual deal with. It’s fairly simple to arrange whether or not you’ve got an previous Mac to switch knowledge from otherwise you’re ranging from scratch. There are just a few selections to make alongside the way in which, although, and a few important methods and apps you’ll need to think about, so we’re right here to take you thru the method.

Right here is Cult of Mac’s information to organising your new Mac the best method.

The right way to arrange Mac: Preliminary setup

First up, cease your self earlier than you recycle that field — Apple’s packaged your new Mac fairly effectively for journey, so should you ever have to make a return (heaven forbid) and even simply transfer it to a brand new house, the field it shipped in will come in useful. It additionally helps the resale worth.

When you’ve bought a brand new MacBook, it’ll in all probability have some cost already, however you may as effectively plug it in whilst you set it up. New MacBooks will mechanically activate if you plug it in or open the lid.

When you’re organising a brand new desktop, you’ll want to connect the ability cable to the rear of the machine, plug it into the wall and fish round for the ability button within the again. You’ll additionally want to organize its keyboard and mouse.

Model new Macs will launch Setup Assistant and all you must do is comply with the directions on every display because it comes up.

Setup Assistant

First, you’ll want to decide on your nation, after which click on Proceed. Select your keyboard primarily based on the language you need to use in your Mac.

When you had any accessibility settings enabled in your previous Mac, you’ll be able to allow them right here earlier than you proceed. In any other case, simply click on Not Now.

You’ll select your Wi-Fi community and enter your password should you’re connecting to the web wirelessly; select Ethernet should you’re utilizing a wired connection.

Transfer your stuff

The following display provides you the choice to switch your knowledge over from an older Mac to your new one.

When you’re shifting from an previous Mac to a brand new Mac, you’ve got two selections:

1. When you’ve backed up your knowledge from an older machine to a tough drive through Time Machine, that is the easiest way. Simply plug your laborious drive, comply with the directions and your Mac shall be restored precisely as your previous one.
2. You too can use the Migration Assistant app. That is in your previous Mac in Finder > Functions > Utilities. This can be a good choice should you don’t have an area backup or the proper of USB-C cable to plug each computer systems collectively, however it’ll take the longest. It has to work over Wi-Fi, so ensure you have a secure connection.

When you’ve got a PC, you’ll be able to obtain the Migration Assistant program for Home windows. In case your Mac is a 2023 mannequin, you’ll in all probability have to obtain the model for macOS Ventura, Monterey or Sonoma.

You’ll be able to run this app at any time, although, so there’s no stress to do it straight away. If you wish to get going and fear about bringing your previous stuff over later, click on Not Now.

Reply just a few questions

You’ll need to sign up along with your Apple ID. If that is your first-ever Apple machine, create a brand new one. If you have already got an iPhone or iPad, you’ll find out which electronic mail you employ on your Apple ID: open Settings, faucet in your identify and also you’ll discover it proper on the high.

You’ll have to allow Location Providers if you wish to monitor your laptop if it ever will get misplaced. Enabling Display screen Time will make it easier to see how a lot time you spend working or goofing off. Allow “Hey Siri” to ask Siri your questions (or, realistically, simply to set a timer) along with your voice alone.

In case your Mac helps Contact ID, I extremely suggest setting it up throughout this subsequent step. It’s a considerably quicker strategy to signal into your Mac, purchase issues with Apple Pay or set up apps. And whilst you’re at it, it is best to arrange Apple Pay, too. It’s at all times a nice shock once I discover a web site helps it — it’s a lot quicker than getting into in bank card info, billing and delivery addresses each time.

Lastly, you simply have another option to make: Mild or Darkish mode. I’m old-school with my Mac; I at all times use gentle mode, regardless that I adamantly use darkish mode on my cellphone.

Important Mac tweaks

Positive, you should use your Mac proper “out of the field,” however there are some things you are able to do to make sure a extra nice expertise. Listed below are just a few of probably the most important.

When you’re previous the preliminary setup, click on on the Apple menu within the higher left of your Mac’s display after which click on on App Retailer. The Mac App Retailer will launch, and also you’ll need to click on on the Updates tab on the left. When you’ve got software program that wants an replace, it’ll present up within the listing there. It’s usually finest to maintain all of your software program updated. You too can obtain your beforehand bought apps right here.

The Dock can do with just a few much less icons, so click on and drag those that you simply don’t need off the Dock and maintain them till you see the Take away choice present up. Let go they usually’ll poof away.

If you wish to put any apps again within the Dock later, go to Finder > Functions and drag its icon to the Dock space till the opposite icons transfer out of the way in which. Let go and it’ll keep there. You additionally may think about disabling the Dock magnification characteristic, which appears cool, however can get in the way in which of correct clicking. Head into System Settings > Desktop & Dock, then uncheck the Magnification checkbox.

You too can discover your apps in Launchpad, which you’ll be able to deliver up by pinching in 4 fingers in your trackpad or by clicking the rocket icon within the Dock.

Take pleasure in that new Mac

Now that you simply’ve bought your new Mac arrange, you’ll be able to lastly begin having fun with your new laptop. We suggest downloading all of the apps and video games you’ll need to use first — both from the Mac App Retailer, or from trusted third-party sources the place essential. Have enjoyable attending to know your new Mac!

Observe: D. Griffin Jones contributed to this text. We initially revealed this text on December 22, 2015. It was final up to date on December 24, 2023.