As a Mac expert, these are the first 9 tweaks I recommend for every new MacBook

You went out and splashed the cash on a new MacBook, you’ve completed the hallowed unboxing ritual, and you’re ready to get started with your latest fascination. What now?

We’ve got a few ideas of great things you can do with your fresh new computer, from loading it up with all the best apps to making it truly yours. Before long, you’ll have the perfect setup, whatever you want to do.

Get your apps in order

Your fresh Mac won’t be totally bereft of apps, and Apple does a pretty good job of loading it up with most of what you might need in day-to-day life. But there’s no doubt that you can augment Apple’s selections (or replace them entirely) with a wide array of excellent alternatives.

You can find apps in the App Store or on third-party websites, although if you download apps from the latter, you’ll need to open the System Settings app and go to Privacy & Security in the sidebar, then scroll to the Security section. Ensure that “Allow applications from” is set to App Store & Known Developers rather than just App Store, otherwise macOS might prevent your new apps from running.

Once you’ve got a few apps loaded onto your Mac, you might want to change your default settings–your default browser, default email app, and so on. There are a few ways to do this. To change your default browser, go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock and choose an option next to “Default web browser.” For email, open Mail and go to Mail > Settings in the menu bar, click the General tab, then pick an app next to “Default email reader.”

For other apps, you’ll want to open the Finder and right-click a file that will be opened by your chosen app, then click Get Info. From here, click the arrow next to Open With, and select Other. A window of your Applications folder will open; select the app you want to use, then click Away Open With.

Set up automatic updates

Updating your Mac is important, not just to ensure you get all the latest features, but to keep it safely protected with relevant security patches. Enabling automatic updates is a good way to do that, both for your apps and for macOS in general.

To automatically keep macOS up to speed, go to System Settings > General > Software Update. Click the “I” button next to Automatic Updates and ensure all the toggles are switched on, then click Done.

For apps downloaded from the App Store, open the App Store app and click App Store > Settings in the menu bar. Now, click the checkbox next to Automatic Updates.

And if you have apps not downloaded from the App Store, you might want to look at a third-party app like Updatest or MacUpdate that can scan your Mac and download and install all the updates you need. Otherwise, you’ll have to check developers’ websites individually.

Learn hidden trackpad gestures

Apple’s Mac trackpads are the best in the business, and they come loaded with a ton of clever gestures that help you get more done. What you might not know is that Apple has a couple of hidden gestures that aren’t enabled by default–they can make a real difference to your day.

To turn them on, open System Settings and navigate to Trackpad in the sidebar. Click the More Gestures tab, then pick an option from the dropdown menu next to App Exposé. This lets you see all the open windows of whichever app you’re currently using, with everything else hidden. There are other useful gestures in this menu window, so be sure to explore to see what you might need.

There are other gestures to enable elsewhere, and one of my favorites can be found by going to System Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control > Trackpad Options. Here, enable “Use trackpad for dragging” and pick an option from the dropdown menu. This lets you move a file by double-tapping it on your trackpad and swiping, or by using a three-finger swipe, both of which are much easier than trying to hold the trackpad down while you move something.

Set up the Time Machine

Use any computer long enough, and there’s a good chance that, sooner or later, we’re all going to suffer a fatal crash or lose files. When that happens, you’ll be kicking yourself if you haven’t backed up your files. Luckily, backing up your Mac is very easy to do thanks to Apple’s Time Machine app, and all you need is an external storage drive to house your documents.

First, connect your storage drive. Then open System Settings and go to General > Time Machine > Add Backup Disk. Select your drive and click Set Up Disk, then follow the on-screen instructions. Now, macOS will automatically back up your Mac on a regular schedule, provided your drive is connected. That makes sure everything is safe and sound, with Time Machine ready to come to the rescue whenever required.

Lock down your privacy

Compared to many of its rivals, Apple does an excellent job of taking privacy and security seriously. One of the ways it does so is through Touch ID, which lets you unlock your Mac, verify purchases, and more using your fingerprint, ensuring no one else can gain access to things they shouldn’t. Touch ID buttons come equipped on many MacBooks and Magic Keyboards, including all the latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models.

When you initially set up your MacBook, you are taken through the Touch ID setup with one finger. However, you can add other fingers. Just go to System Settings > Touch ID & Password. There, click Add Fingerprint, enter your Mac’s password, then place your finger on the Touch ID scanner until it is fully registered.

While you’re there, you might want to check your Mac’s privacy settings in the Privacy & Security section of System Settings. This contains many options, from location services and microphone access to sensitive content warnings and per-app controls. Go through these options and make sure you’re happy with your choices.

Turn on FileVault

If you have a Mac with an Apple silicon chip or a T2 security chip, your computer’s data is encrypted by default. However, that data is automatically decrypted when you use your Mac and is not locked behind any kind of password, making it potentially vulnerable.

That’s where FileVault comes in. With this setting enabled, you can add an extra layer of protection by requiring your Mac’s login password to be entered before any data is decrypted. If you forget your password, you can also recover access by logging in with iCloud.

FileVault can be found in System Settings > Privacy & Security. Scroll down to the Security section and click FileVault. Now enable the toggle next to FileVault (note you must be using an administrator account to do this). You’ll need to choose whether to use iCloud for recovery or to create a recovery key–it’s a good idea to pick the former if you use iCloud. And just like that, you’ve strengthened your Mac’s defenses against would-be attackers.

Prolong your battery’s lifespan

If you own a MacBook, you’ll want to protect its battery to ensure you get as much life out of it as you can for as long as possible. One way you can do that is by adjusting a few settings on your new Mac.

Open System Settings and go to Battery in the sidebar. At the top, you can enable Low Power Mode based on a couple of different scenarios (such as when you’re on a mains adapter or on battery power), and this setting reduces your Mac’s energy consumption to keep the battery level as high as possible.

Next, click the “I” button next to Battery Health, then enable the toggle next to Optimized Battery Charging to guarantee that your Mac charges as safely and efficiently as possible. This involves macOS learning your charging habits so that it can finish charging beyond 80 percent when you actually need the power.

Finally, click Options at the bottom of the Battery section. There are a few settings here that might aid your battery life, such as ‘”Slightly dim the display on battery” and “Optimize video streaming while on battery.” Enable those if you want to eke even more out of your battery.

Protect your eyes

Staring at a bright screen all day and all night puts undue strain on your eyes, but macOS gives you a few tools to lessen the impact.

The first can be found in System Settings > Displays: switch on the toggle next to “Automatically adjust brightness.” By doing this, you know that your Mac’s brightness will never be too bright for your surroundings–thereby protecting your eyes–and shouldn’t put undue stress on your battery, either.

Night Shift is another handy tool, and it automatically tweaks your screen’s colors to provide a warmer image after dark, which in turn softens the impact on your eyes. To get started, click Night Shift at the bottom of the Displays settings. Here, you can set a custom schedule for Night Shift or use the option that turns it on at sunset and off at sunrise. There’s also a slider to adjust the color temperature of the effect.

Try Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence was meant to be a huge leap forward for Apple, but it’s safe to say that the artificial intelligence (AI) system has had a bit of a sputtering start. That’s not to say you should avoid it, though, and there are actually plenty of great Apple Intelligence features you can (and should) try on your new Mac. Just make sure to enable it in System Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri before you begin.

You can create images with the help of Apple Intelligence in the Image Playground app; just type in your prompt and let it get to work. Or you can highlight some text, right-click it, then pick Show Writing Tools from the context menu. These tools can rewrite your text, proofread it, list its key points, and more.

Apple Intelligence works in a wide range of Apple’s own apps, including Mail, Messages, Notes, Reminders, Photos, and Shortcuts. It also lets you tap into ChatGPT for certain queries and requests, putting more power at your fingertips.