where is system preferences on mac

System Preferences on a Mac is the central app where you adjust system settings. Depending on your macOS version, it may be called System Preferences or System Settings (the latter is the new name starting with macOS Ventura).

Where to Find System Preferences (or System Settings) on Mac

• Apple Menu :
  Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen. In older macOS versions, select System Preferences ; in newer versions (Ventura and later), select System Settings

• Finder :
  Open Finder, go to the Applications folder, and locate System Preferences or System Settings. Double-click to open

• Dock :
  Look for the gear icon in your Dock, which represents System Preferences/System Settings, and click it to open

• Spotlight Search :
  Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type "System Preferences" (or "System Settings" on newer macOS), then press Enter to open it

• Siri :
  Activate Siri and say "Open System Preferences" or "Open System Settings"

• Terminal :
  You can open it via Terminal by typing the path to the app, which differs by macOS version (System Preferences before Ventura, System Settings after)

Summary

Method| How to Access| Notes
---|---|---
Apple Menu| Click Apple logo > System Preferences/Settings| Most common and easiest way
Finder| Applications folder > System Preferences/Settings| Useful if not in Dock or menu
Dock| Click gear icon| Quick access if pinned
Spotlight| Command + Space, type "System Preferences/Settings"| Fast keyboard method
Siri| Voice command "Open System Preferences/Settings"| Hands-free option
Terminal| Run app path command| For advanced users

This app lets you customize everything from display, security, network, user accounts, to software updates

. If you have a recent macOS version (Ventura or later), the app is called System Settings instead of System Preferences , but it serves the same purpose