Where To Find System Preferences On Mac (And What It's Called Now)

If you've upgraded to a newer Mac and gone looking for System Preferences only to find it missing, you're not alone. Apple renamed and redesigned this core settings area — and depending on which version of macOS you're running, you'll find it in slightly different places and under a different name.

Here's exactly where to look, how the interface has changed, and what that means for navigating your Mac's settings.

System Preferences vs. System Settings: What Changed

For decades, System Preferences was the central hub for configuring your Mac — managing displays, network connections, users, Bluetooth, privacy settings, and more. It lived in a consistent spot and looked roughly the same across many macOS versions.

With macOS Ventura (13.0), released in 2022, Apple replaced System Preferences with System Settings. The name change wasn't cosmetic — the entire layout was overhauled to resemble the Settings app on iPhone and iPad, with a sidebar-based navigation panel on the left and detail panes on the right.

So the short answer:

• macOS Monterey (12) and earlier → look for System Preferences 🖥️
• macOS Ventura (13) and later → look for System Settings

How To Open System Preferences or System Settings

Regardless of which version you're on, the access points are largely the same:

Method 1: The Apple Menu

Click the Apple logo (🍎) in the top-left corner of your screen. In the dropdown menu, you'll see either System Preferences or System Settings listed near the top. This is the most direct route.

Method 2: The Dock

By default, System Preferences (or System Settings) has an icon pinned to your Dock — it looks like a set of gray gear cogs. If you haven't removed it, a single click opens it immediately. If it's been removed from your Dock, you can re-add it by finding it in Launchpad and dragging it back.

Method 3: Spotlight Search

Press Command (⌘) + Spacebar to open Spotlight. Type "System Preferences" or "System Settings" — either term will surface the app. Hit Enter to open it.

Method 4: Launchpad

Click the Launchpad icon in your Dock (the rocket ship), then look for the System Preferences or System Settings icon. You can also type the name in the Launchpad search bar to find it faster.

Method 5: Finder

Open a Finder window, navigate to Applications, and scroll to find System Preferences or System Settings. Double-click to open.

Navigating the Redesigned System Settings (macOS Ventura and Later)

If you've moved to Ventura or a newer macOS release, the layout takes some adjustment. The sidebar on the left lists major categories — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Notifications, General, Privacy & Security, Displays, and so on. Clicking any category loads its options in the main pane to the right.

A few things long-time Mac users notice:

• Settings are regrouped. Options that used to live together may now be split across different sections. For example, some accessibility features moved under their own dedicated area.
• Search still works. There's a search bar at the top of the sidebar. Typing a keyword like "firewall," "sleep," or "mouse" will highlight and surface the relevant setting even if you're not sure where Apple filed it.
• Apple ID and iCloud are more prominently integrated at the top of the sidebar, reflecting how tightly macOS ties into Apple's ecosystem.

What You'll Find Inside (Key Settings Areas)

Whether you're in System Preferences or System Settings, the core categories cover:

Which macOS Version Are You On?

If you're not sure whether your Mac is running Ventura or something older, click the Apple menu → About This Mac. The macOS version and name display at the top of that window.

This matters because the interface, terminology, and layout differ enough that instructions written for one version may not match what you see on your screen. A tip about clicking "Security & Privacy" in System Preferences, for instance, points to a pane that's been renamed and relocated in System Settings.

When Settings Don't Appear Where Expected

Some Mac users — particularly those who upgraded from an older macOS without doing a clean install — occasionally find that System Preferences and System Settings both appear in their Applications folder during a transition period. Generally, only one will be the active, functional version for your current OS.

If a specific setting seems missing, the search function inside System Settings is your fastest tool. Apple reorganized a significant number of options with the Ventura redesign, and muscle memory from older macOS versions doesn't always translate directly to the new layout.

The version of macOS your Mac is running, how it was set up, and whether any profile or MDM (Mobile Device Management) restrictions are applied — such as on a work or school machine — all affect which settings are visible, accessible, or locked down in your particular environment.