How to Open System Settings (Preferences) on a Mac — Fast

How to Open System Settings on a Mac

by Heinz Tschabitscher | Aug 5, 2026 | Mac Tips and Resources

Looking for system preferences on your Mac — unsure where exactly to look and for what keyword? Trying to configure the network, languages, how your windows look, or when your MacBook sleeps perhaps? Find out here how to open “System Settings” (or “System Preferences”) on a Mac ⤓.

How to Open System Settings (Preferences) on a Mac

Using the Mac’s Menu

Time needed: 1 minute

To open System Settings on a Mac using the menu bar:

  1. Click the Apple logo () in the menu bar.

  2. Select System Settings from the menu that has appeared.

    Before Ventura: In versions of macOS before macOS 13 Ventura, select System Preferences… from the menu.
    Their word: Apple include information on using System Settings in the Mac User Guide.
    Open System Settings (Preferences) on a Mac

Keyboard set on settings?

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Open Mac System Settings using Spotlight

To open System Settings (or a specific preferences pane) using Spotlight:

  1. Open Spotlight search.
    Here’s how: Press Command Space, for instance, to start searching Spotlight.
  2. Type system settings.
  3. Highlight System Settings in search results.
    Preference panes: You can search for individual panes and settings; look for the System Preferences icon in the search field to find System Preferences.
    Before Ventura: In macOS versions before Ventura (13.0), type and select System Preferences instead.
  4. Press Enter.
    Open macOS System Settings using Spotlight

Ask Siri to Open System Settings

To open settings fast on a Mac with Siri:

  1. Engage Siri.
    Here’s how: Say “Hey, Siri” (with Siri actively listening), press and hold Control Space (or a different Siri shortcut), or click the Siri icon in the menu bar.
  2. Say “Open System Preferences”.
    Alternatives: Siri also accepts “Settings” in place of “Preferences”, and you can leave out “Open”; a curt “System Settings” works.
    Settings panes: You can also ask Siri to open System Settings’ panes directly, e.g., “Open keyboard settings” and “Open network settings.”

Open System Settings from Mac Terminal

To launch System Preferences from a Mac Terminal command prompt:

  1. Open Terminal.
  2. Type /System/Applications/System\ Settings.app/Contents/MacOS/System\ Settings.
    Before Ventura: Type /System/Applications/System\ Preferences.app/Contents/MacOS/System\ Preferences instead.
  3. Press Enter.

How to Open System Settings (Preferences) on a Mac: FAQ

Where is the System Settings (or System Preferences) app on disk?

To go to the location where you can find System Settings (System Preferences) in Finder on a Mac:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Press Command Shift G.
  3. Type /System/Applications.
  4. Press Enter.

The /System/Applications folder is where you can then open the respective settings apps.

(Tested with macOS Tahoe 26, Sequoia 15, Sonoma 14, Ventura 13 and Monterey 12; first published December 2022, last updated August 2026)

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