> macOS 26 Settings

In Extreme Privacy, 5th Edition, I offered many privacy and security considerations for macOS. That content is pushing two years old now, so I am probably overdue for an update.  This article revisits that entire section for the recent changes within macOS 26. The following assumes you are on macOS 26.1, which was the latest version at the time of writing. Now that we have let Apple offer the first major update to that OS, the menu settings should be fairly locked in. I always prefer to wait for a ".1" update before documenting specific menu settings. This guide also assumes you have already purchased and booted the device, skipping the request for an Apple ID, and configuring things such as Wi-Fi, application firewall, Spotlight, Gatekeeper, FileVault, and any personal customizations as explained in the book. Consider this a supplement to that information. The purpose of this article is to revisit all of the System Settings for optimal macOS privacy and security. Major updates are known to re-enable undesired settings, so this is a good time to check everything. While everything here will work if you logged in to an Apple account, some menus may appear differently. The following was conducted within System Settings from the Applications menu. Settings > Wi-Fi > Ask to join networks > Off Settings > Wi-Fi > Ask to join hotspots > Never Settings > Bluetooth > Disabled (if not used) Settings > Network > Firewall > Enabled Settings > Network > Firewall > Options > Automatically allow built-in... > Disabled Settings > Network > Firewall > Options > Automatically allow downloaded... > Disabled Settings > Network > Firewall > Options > Stealth mode > Enabled Settings > Battery > Options > Wake for network access > Never Settings > General > Automatic Updates > i > Disable All Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff > Allow Handoff > Disabled Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff > AirDrop > No One Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff > AirPlay Receiver > Disabled Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff > Allow Airplay for > Current User Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff > Require password > Enabled Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords > All Your Password... > (Close "x") Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords > AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys > Disabled Settings > General > Date & Time > Source > Set > pool.ntp.org > Set Settings > General > Date & Time > Set time zone automatically... > Disabled Settings > General > Date & Time > Time zone > Desired location Settings > General > Date & Time > Closest City > Desired location Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions > Remove or disable those desired Settings > General > Sharing > Disable all Settings > Accessibility > Siri > Type to Siri > Disabled Settings > Accessibility > Siri > Listen for atypical speech > Disabled Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Apple Intelligence > Disabled Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Siri > Disabled Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Siri History > Delete Siri & Dictation History > Delete Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Siri Suggestions & Privacy > Disable all Settings > Desktop & Dock > Show suggested and recent apps in Dock > Disabled Settings > Desktop & Dock > Show recent apps in Stage Manager > Disabled Settings > Desktop & Dock > Automatically rearrange Spaces... > Disabled Settings > Spotlight > Show Related Content > Disabled Settings > Spotlight > Spotlight Search History > Delete Search History Settings > Spotlight > Help Apple Improve Search > Disabled Settings > Spotlight > Results from Apps > Disable all Settings > Spotlight > Results from System > Disable all Settings > Spotlight > Results from Clipboard > Disabled Settings > Notifications > Show previews > Never Settings > Notifications > Allow notifications when the device is sleeping > Disabled Settings > Notifications > Allow notifications when the screen is locked > Disabled Settings > Notifications > Allow notifications when mirroring or sharing the display > Disabled Settings > Notifications > Application Notifications > Disable undesired Settings > Sound > Alert volume > Minimum Settings > Sound > Play sound on startup > Disabled Settings > Sound > Play user interface sound effects > Disabled Settings > Sound > Play feedback when volume is changed > Disabled Settings > Focus > Share across devices > Disabled Settings > Focus > Focus status > Off Settings > Lock Screen > Turn display off on battery when inactive > For 1 hour Settings > Lock Screen > Turn display off on power adapter when inactive > For 1 hour Settings > Lock Screen > Require password after... > Immediately Settings > Lock Screen > Show password hints > Disabled Settings > Lock Screen > Show message when locked > Disabled Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Off Settings > Privacy & Security > Confirm app access Settings > Privacy & Security > Sensitive Content Warning > Off Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Disable all Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising > Personalized Ads > Disabled Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Intelligence Report > Off Settings > Privacy & Security > FileVault > Enabled Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessories > Always ask Settings > Privacy & Security > Background Security Improvements > Enabled (if desired) Settings > Touch ID & Password > Use Touch ID for Apple Pay > Disabled Settings > Touch ID & Password > Use Touch ID for purchases... > Disabled Settings > Touch ID & Password > Use Touch ID for autofilling passwords > Disabled Settings > Internet Accounts > None Settings > Game Center > Disabled Settings > iCloud > None Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Autofill Cards > 0 Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Shipping Address > None Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Email > None Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Phone > None Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay > Add Orders to Wallet > Disabled These basic privacy and security settings plus a properly-configured software firewall such as Little Snitch or Lulu will provide the optimal macOS setup. Most telemetry and overall Apple invasions will be eliminated and you can simply enjoy a secure operating system.