Setting up Your Mac

In this chapter we’ll take a look at updating to MacOS Ventura, as well as:

• Powering up and starting your Mac for the First Time
• Internet, WiFi & VPNs
• Connecting Peripherals
• Other Email Accounts
• Additional Users & Login Options
• Passwords
• Setup Apple Pay
• Touch ID
• Dark Mode & Light Mode
• Setup your Mouse & Trackpad
• Dynamic Desktop, Wallpapers & Screensavers
• Managing Displays
• Setup Universal Control
• System Audio
• Pairing Bluetooth Devices
• Fonts
• Time Machine Backup
• Transfer Files from PC or Mac

To help you better understand this section, take a look at the video resources. Open your web browser and navigate to the following website:

elluminetpress.com/using-mac

Updating to MacOS Ventura

MacOS Ventura is a free update to all compatible Macs. If you are updating your Mac, you’ll need to check whether your Mac is compatible, as older Macs won’t receive the update.

According to Apple, the following Macs will be able to run MacOS Ventura:

• iMac & iMac Pro 2017 and later
• Macbook Air 2018 and later
• Macbook Pro 2017 and later
• Mac Pro 2019 and later
• Mac Studio 2022 and later
• Mac Mini 2018 and later
• Macbook 2017 and later

Check your Mac Version on Monterey or Earlier

To check, click the Apple menu on the top left of the screen. Then select ‘about this mac’.

This particular Mac is a Macbook Air 2020 and is currently running MacOS Monterey. This mac meets the requirements and will receive the update.

Updating from Monterey

Click the Apple menu on the top left of the screen, select ‘system preferences’ from the drop down menu. Select ‘software update’.

If there are any updates available, they will be listed here. Click ‘update now’ to apply the updates.

Select ‘automatically keep my mac up to date’ and MacOS will automatically apply the updates in the background. Click ‘advanced’ to select which updates to apply automatically.

Select them all, then click ‘ok’. This will ensure your mac is always up to date and it will do this in the background without prompting you.

If you don’t see any updates, try downloading from the app store. Click the Apple menu on the top left, select ‘app store’.

In the search field on the top left hand side, type:

macOS Ventura

In the search results, click on ‘view’ next to ‘macOS Ventura’

Click ‘get’ on the top right to start the upgrade.

Click ‘download’ on the confirmation prompt.

The update will start to download. This can take a while.

Your mac will restart to apply the update. Again this will take a while. Once the update is complete, you’ll be running macOS Ventura.

Power Up

The power button on the mac is on the top right of the keyboard on a Macbook Air and Macbook Pro.

or

On the Mac Pro, you’ll find the power button on the top panel.

On the iMac and Mac Mini, the power button is situated on the back panel.

Press the button once to start up your mac.

You can also use the power button to force your mac to shutdown in the event of a crash or lock up. Hold the button until the screen goes blank. Only use this option if you’re having problems.

Power Down

To power down your mac or send it into sleep/standby mode, go to the Apple menu on the top left of the screen...’

From the menu...

Click ‘shut down’ to shut down and power off your mac.

Click ‘restart’ to reboot your mac.

You can also click ‘sleep’, this will put your mac into standby mode and is convenient if you use your mac on the go a lot and don’t have time to wait for your machine to start up.

If you are using a Macbook laptop, you can just close the lid and your Macbook will go into sleep mode.

Starting your Mac for the First Time

When you turn on a new mac for the first time, you’ll need to go through some initial steps to set up WiFi, select language, regional preferences and sign in with your Apple ID.

To begin, select your country of residence. Click ‘continue’.

Tap ‘continue’ on the ‘written and spoken languages’ page.

If the language settings aren’t correct, tap ‘customise settings’.

Click ‘not now’ on the accessibility screen. You can configure these later in the settings app if you need to make any changes according to your needs.

Select your WiFi network and enter your password when prompted. Your Wi-Fi password is usually printed on the back of your WiFi router.

Click ‘continue’ on the ‘data & privacy’ screen.

Click ‘not now’ on the ‘migration assistant’ screen. You can transfer data from an old machine later.

Sign in with your Apple ID email address and password. Click ‘continue’.

You may be prompted to enter a verification code. This code will be sent to another Apple device such as your iPhone or iPad. On your iPad or iPhone tap ‘allow’, then copy the code into the boxes on your Mac.

Accept the ‘terms and conditions’, click ‘continue’.

Create your computer account. This is the account you’ll use to log into your Mac and it is different from your Apple ID account. Enter a password, then click ‘continue’.

Click ‘customise settings’ on the ‘express setup’ screen.

Enable location services. It is safe to enable this and it will allow you to make use of location based services such as maps, local news, and weather. Click ‘enable location services on this mac’, then click ‘continue’.

Click ‘continue’ on the ‘analytics’ screen

Click ‘continue’ on the ‘screen time’ page.

Enable Siri, click ‘continue’.

Then on the next screen, click ‘not now’, click ‘continue’.

If you’re using a Macbook with a finger print scanner, you will be asked to set up your finger prints so you can log into your Mac. Click ‘continue’ and follow the instructions to register your finger print.

Select your look. You can choose from light mode or dark mode. Dark mode is good for low light conditions and night time viewing. It removes most of the bright white colour from the screen. Click ‘light’ or ‘dark’, or select ‘auto’ to use light mode during the day, and dark mode during the evening.

Give your Mac a few minutes to complete the setup.

You’ll land on the desktop when the setup finishes.

Now you can start to use your Mac.

Apple ID

Your Apple ID contains all your personal information, messages, calendar, contacts, email, and various settings.

Create a New ID

To create an Apple ID open safari and go to the following website:

appleid.apple.com

From the website click ‘Create your Apple ID’ on the top right.

Fill in the form with your details, scroll down to the bottom and click ‘continue’.

Keep a note of the email address and password you entered. You will need this Apple ID if you want to purchase Apps from the App Store, use iCloud, Apple Email, or purchase songs from iTunes Store.

iCloud

iCloud is a cloud storage service developed by Apple. iCloud enables you to store your email, messages, documents, photos, and music on Apple’s remote servers. This enables you to share data between your devices and with other users.

If you haven’t signed in, go to system settings, click ‘Apple id’ and enter your Apple ID username and password if prompted.

From here you can change your iCloud settings. Use the panel on the left hand side to navigate between the sections.

Select ‘name, phone, email’ to change iCloud password, or your name. To change your password, click ‘password & security’. To add payment methods, select ‘payment & shipping.

Underneath you’ll see a list of all your Apple devices, such as iPhone, iPad or another Mac. Here, you can click on a device and see info such as serial number, and show the location on the web.

If you need to sign out, click ‘sign out’ on the bottom left.

iCloud Drive Setup

Go to system settings, click ‘Apple id’ and enter your Apple ID username and password if prompted. Select ‘icloud’ from the panel on the right.

To change which apps store documents on data on iCloud, click ‘iCloud Drive’.

Click on ‘options’

Select your apps you want to use iCloud Drive.

These apps will save data to iCloud Drive rather than to your Mac.

Click...