Published 2021-02-05 by TechNet New England
Setting up a new Mac properly from the start prevents issues later. Follow this checklist. ## 1. Complete Setup Assistant When you first turn on the Mac, Setup Assistant walks you through: Language, country, and accessibility preferences. Wi-Fi network connection. Apple ID sign-in (or create one). For work Macs, your organization may provide specific instructions. iCloud settings (choose what to sync). Privacy and analytics preferences. If migrating from another Mac, Setup Assistant offers to transfer data via Migration Assistant. This works well for personal Macs but check with IT before migrating to a managed work Mac. ## 2. Run Software Update 1. Click **Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update**. 2. Install all available updates. 3. Restart when prompted. 4. Check again until no more updates are available. ## 3. Enable FileVault Encryption 1. Go to **System Settings > Privacy and Security > FileVault**. 2. Click **Turn On**. 3. Choose your recovery method (Apple ID or recovery key). 4. Store the recovery key securely. ## 4. Set Up Endpoint Protection If your organization requires security software, install it now. If not, macOS includes XProtect and Gatekeeper for basic protection. ## 5. Install Applications **From the App Store:** Open the App Store and install apps you need. **From the web:** Download applications from official websites (Chrome, Zoom, Slack, etc.). **From your organization:** Your IT provider may push applications through MDM (Jamf, Mosyle) automatically. ## 6. Set Up Email Open the **Mail** app and add your email account. Or use Outlook for Mac if your organization prefers it. Or bookmark webmail (outlook.office.com or mail.google.com). ## 7. Set Up Cloud Storage Sign in to iCloud Drive, Google Drive for Desktop, or OneDrive depending on what your organization uses. ## 8. Set Up Time Machine Backup 1. Connect an external drive. 2. Go to **System Settings > General > Time Machine**. 3. Click **Add Backup Disk** and select the drive. 4. Time Machine starts backing up automatically. ## 9. Adjust Settings **Dock:** System Settings > Desktop and Dock. Remove apps you do not use from the Dock. Adjust size and position. **Trackpad:** System Settings > Trackpad. Adjust tracking speed and enable gestures. **Display:** System Settings > Displays. Adjust scaling if text is too small. **Hot Corners:** System Settings > Desktop and Dock > Hot Corners. Set corners to lock screen, show desktop, etc. **Notifications:** System Settings > Notifications. Disable notifications from apps you do not need. ## 10. Finder Preferences 1. Open Finder. 2. Click **Finder > Settings**. 3. Under **Sidebar**, check the locations you want to see (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Home folder). 4. Under **Advanced**, check **Show all filename extensions**. ## For Managed Macs If your organization manages the Mac through Jamf or another MDM, many of these steps happen automatically. Your IT provider will configure security settings, push applications, and set up enrollment. Your role is to sign in with your credentials and report any issues. Do not install personal software on a managed work Mac without checking with IT first. MDM profiles may restrict certain installations or settings.