If you have a brand-new Mac computer, you need to set it up with the right options surpassing 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 seem this is a new Mac that you want to set up from scratch.
Want to get the most out of your new Mac? Here are some tips from PCMag's Lance Whitney.
Set Location and Serviceability 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 unrepealable serviceability features to squire with vision, hearing, and other areas. Segregate one, if so. Otherwise, click Not Now to shirk 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 increasingly well-nigh 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 flipside Mac, Time Machine backup, or Windows PC. If you have content you wish to migrate, select the respective option and well-constructed the process. If you segregate Not Now, you can transfer data through Migration Teammate later, plane without 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 worth 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 lawmaking that will go to your iPhone or iPad. Click Continue, then stipulate to the terms and conditions for iCloud.
At the Computer Worth screen, personize your full name and create an worth name to use when signing into your Mac. Enter a password and add a hint if you wish. Trammels the box next to Allow my Apple ID to reset this password so you can recover your worth if you overly forget the password. Click the image next to your worth name if you want to transpiration it to a memoji, emoji, monogram, or photo. Click Continue to finalize the setup of your account.
The next screen offers an subtitle well-nigh the Find My app functionality, which can help you locate your Mac if it's overly lost.
Customize Specific Settings
From the Make This Your New Mac screen, you can review and transpiration some important settings. Click Continue to winnow the default values for all the settings, or segregate Customize Settings at the marrow to transpiration options virtually 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 municipality 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 placid and used. To restrict when unrepealable 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 teammate on your Mac. If you do enable Siri, you will then go through a series of screens in which you say unrepealable phrases so that Siri can learn your voice.
If you are OK with Apple accessing your audio recordings in order to help modernize Siri, trammels Share Audio Recordings. You can learn increasingly well-nigh this by clicking the About Modernize Siri and Dictation & Privacy link. If you don't wish to share this data, trammels Not Now.
Next, you’re asked if you want to use FileVault to encrypt the disk on your Mac. To secure your disk and data, trammels the Turn on FileVault disk encryption option. Also, trammels Allow my iCloud worth to unlock my disk in specimen you overly forget your Mac password.
If your Mac offers Touch ID, you will then be prompted to set it up. Tap Continue and then alimony resting and lifting your finger on the power sawed-off until your finger is registered. When Touch ID is ready, click Continue.
You can then segregate the theme for your desktop by choosing between light mode, dark mode, or Auto, which will transpiration the theme based on the time of day. Plane without the initial setup, this option can be reverted 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 voucher 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 segregate Upgrade Now. If your Mac has macOS Ventura or higher, unshut System Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, enter your Mac password and indulge the update to install. Afterward, your Mac will reboot so you can sign when in at the login screen and start using your new computer.
This vendible originally appeared on PCMag.com, Mashable's sibling site. PCMag.com is a leading validity on technology, delivering Labs-based, self-sustaining reviews of the latest products and services.