Got a New Mac? How to Set Up and Customize Apple's MacOS

If you have a brand new Mac computer, you need to set it up with the right options before you can start using it properly. The setup process isn’t difficult, but it can take some time if you want to go through all the settings that you need to enable, disable, or modify.

Setting up a Mac works the same whether you have a MacBook laptop or Mac desktop. For this process, we’ll assume this is a new Mac that you want to set up from scratch.

Set Location and Accessibility Settings

Once the computer is powered on, the first step is to select your country or region. You'll be asked if you want to set up certain accessibility features to assist with vision, hearing, and other areas. Choose one, if so. Otherwise, click Not Now to bypass this or set it up later.

Connect to Wi-Fi

The next step is to connect your computer to a wireless network. Select the Wi-Fi network you want to use, enter the password, and click Continue. The next screen describes the privacy of your data. Click the Learn More link to read more about this topic; otherwise, click Continue.

Transfer Data With Migration Assistant

You are then given the option to use the Migration Assistant, which allows you to transfer data from another Mac, Time Machine backup, or Windows PC. If you have content you wish to migrate, select the corresponding option and complete the process. If you choose Not Now, you can transfer data through Migration Assistant later, even after the computer has been set up.

Set Up Apple ID and Login

Next, sign in with (or create) your Apple ID and password. This is the account you use to sign into Apple services. If you previously set up Apple ID two-factor authentication (2FA), you will be prompted to enter a verification code that will go to your iPhone or iPad. Click Continue, then agree to the terms and conditions for iCloud.

At the Computer Account screen, confirm your full name and create an account name to use when signing into your Mac. Enter a password and add a hint if you wish. Check the box next to Allow my Apple ID to reset this password so you can recover your account if you ever forget the password. Click the image next to your account name if you want to change it to a memoji, emoji, monogram, or photo. Click Continue to finalize the setup of your account.

The next screen offers an explanation about the Find My app functionality, which can help you locate your Mac if it's ever lost.

Customize Specific Settings

From the Make This Your New Mac screen, you can review and change some important settings. Click Continue to accept the default values for all the settings, or choose Customize Settings at the bottom to change options around location services, analytics, and Siri.

For Location Services, you can enable or disable location-based apps like Apple Maps and Weather. You can then set your time zone by choosing the closest city from the drop-down menu or clicking a location on the map.

Next, decide if you want to share analytics with Apple. Click the About Analytics and privacy link to learn how this data is collected and used. To restrict when certain apps and websites can be accessed on this Mac, consider turning on Screen Time. Otherwise, click Set Up Later.

Check the box next to Enable Siri, if you want to use Apple’s voice assistant on your Mac. If you do enable Siri, you will then go through a series of screens in which you say certain phrases so that Siri can learn your voice.

If you are OK with Apple accessing your audio recordings in order to help improve Siri, check Share Audio Recordings. You can learn more about this by clicking the About Improve Siri and Dictation & Privacy link. If you don't wish to share this data, check Not Now.

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Next, you’re asked if you want to use FileVault to encrypt the disk on your Mac. To secure your disk and data, check the Turn on FileVault disk encryption option. Also, check Allow my iCloud account to unlock my disk in case you ever forget your Mac password.

If your Mac offers Touch ID, you will then be prompted to set it up. Tap Continue and then keep resting and lifting your finger on the power button until your finger is registered. When Touch ID is ready, click Continue.

You can then choose the theme for your desktop by choosing between light mode, dark mode, or Auto, which will change the theme based on the time of day. Even after the initial setup, this option can be changed in Display settings at any time.

Update Your Mac

Once the setup is complete, you will be placed at your desktop. The last item on the agenda is to update your Mac to ensure that you are running the most up-to-date version of macOS.

For a Mac running macOS Monterey or earlier, click the Apple icon and select About this Mac > Software Update, then choose Upgrade Now. If your Mac has macOS Ventura or higher, open System Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, enter your Mac password and allow the update to install. Afterward, your Mac will reboot so you can sign back in at the login screen and start using your new computer.

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