macOS Features and Tools
Unit 3: macOS and Linux. Lesson 11 of 41 in APlus Academy Core 2.
A technician supporting a Mac needs the vocabulary: how applications install, where files live, which utilities do what, and the Apple-specific features users depend on. The exam asks for the names.
Installing and removing applications
- .dmg: a disk image. Double-click to mount it as a volume, then drag the application into /Applications (or run the installer inside); eject the image afterward. Nothing is installed until you drag.
- .pkg: an installer package that runs a wizard and can place files anywhere, with a password prompt; used by drivers, printers, and enterprise software.
- .app: the application itself, a bundle folder that looks like one file; it can run from anywhere.
- App Store: Apple's curated store tied to the Apple ID; automatic updates; corporate Macs can be restricted to it.
- Uninstallation: drag the .app to the Trash and empty it, or run the vendor's uninstaller for packaged software that scattered files; some leftovers stay in the Library folders.
The uninstallation process is dragging the application from Applications to the Trash, or running the vendor's uninstaller when it installed system components.
System folders
- /Applications: installed applications for all users.
- /Users: each user's home folder (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and so on).
- /Library: system-wide support files, preferences, fonts, and launch agents shared by all users.
- /System: the operating system itself, protected by System Integrity Protection; do not modify.
- /Users/name/Library (the user Library, hidden by default; hold Option in the Finder Go menu): that user's preferences, caches, and application support. Deleting a stubborn preference file lives here.
Apple ID and corporate restrictions
The Apple ID signs a user into iCloud, the App Store, iMessage, and FaceTime and syncs Keychain and files. Companies use managed Apple IDs and MDM (through Apple Business Manager) to restrict App Store use, enforce passcodes and FileVault, push profiles, and wipe lost machines. A user who cannot install an app on a work Mac is usually blocked by the corporate restriction, not by macOS.
Best practices
- Backups: Time Machine to an external drive or a network share, hourly, with versioned history.
- Antivirus: Macs get malware too; run an endpoint product in a business.
- Updates and patches: System Settings, Software Update; Rapid Security Response delivers small urgent security fixes between full macOS updates and applies them without waiting for a version release.
System Preferences (System Settings in recent versions)
- Displays: resolution, scaling, arrangement of multiple monitors, night shift.
- Network: interfaces, Wi-Fi, TCP/IP addressing (DHCP or manual), DNS, proxies, VPN configurations.
- Printers and Scanners: add and manage printers (AirPrint finds most automatically) and scanners.
- Privacy and Security: which apps may use the camera, microphone, location, disk access; FileVault; firewall; Gatekeeper (allow apps from the App Store or identified developers).
- Accessibility: zoom, VoiceOver, display contrast, keyboard and pointer aids.
- Time Machine: choose the backup disk and options.
Features users ask about
- Multiple desktops (Spaces) and Mission Control: swipe up with three or four fingers to see every window and desktop; create desktops for different tasks.
- Keychain: the built-in password and certificate store, synced through iCloud Keychain.
- Spotlight: Command-Space search for files, apps, and definitions.
- iCloud: Apple's cloud for photos, files (iCloud Drive), backups of iOS devices, and settings sync.
- iMessage and FaceTime: Apple's messaging and video calling, tied to the Apple ID.
- Gestures: trackpad swipes, pinches, and taps configured in Trackpad settings.
- Finder: the file manager; the Dock's leftmost icon; the Go menu reaches folders and servers.
- Dock: the launcher and running-app bar at the bottom or side.
- Continuity: Handoff between Mac and iPhone, Universal Clipboard, AirDrop, Sidecar, phone calls on the Mac.
Utilities
- Disk Utility: view, partition, erase and format (APFS or exFAT for sharing), and First Aid to repair a volume.
- FileVault: full-disk encryption; keep the recovery key.
- Terminal: the Unix shell; most Linux commands from the next lesson work here.
- Force Quit (Command-Option-Esc, or the Apple menu): end a frozen application.
macOS Features and Tools, explained slowly
The Mac, translated
Most Windows concepts have a Mac equivalent, and the exam asks for the Mac name. Learn the translation table, then the Apple-only features.
Translation table
Windows macOS Control Panel and Settings System Preferences (System Settings in recent versions) File Explorer Finder taskbar Dock Start menu search Spotlight (Command-Space) Task Manager end task Force Quit (Command-Option-Esc) and Activity Monitor Disk Management Disk Utility BitLocker FileVault Credential Manager Keychain File History / Backup Time Machine command prompt / PowerShell Terminal (a Unix shell) Windows Update Software Update; Rapid Security Response for urgent patches Microsoft account Apple ID .exe or .msi installer .pkg installer; .dmg image with a drag-to-Applications; .app bundle Program Files /Applications C:\Users /Users AppData ~/Library (hidden)
Installing, drawn
.dmg: download -> double-click mounts a virtual disk on the desktop -> drag the .app into /Applications -> eject the disk image .pkg: download -> double-click runs the Installer wizard -> administrator password -> files placed as the package dictates .app: the program is a folder disguised as a file; it runs from wherever it sits; /Applications is the convention App Store: sign in with an Apple ID -> Get or Buy -> updates automatically uninstall: drag the .app to the Trash (and empty it) or run the vendor's uninstaller; leftovers may remain in /Library and ~/Library
Gatekeeper (Privacy and Security) decides whether apps from outside the App Store may run: App Store only, or App Store and identified developers.
Folders, and who may touch them
folder contents writable by /Applications apps for everyone administrators /Users home folders, one per user each user in their own /Library system-wide support, preferences, fonts, launch agents administrators /System macOS itself nobody (System Integrity Protection) ~/Library the user's preferences, caches, mail, application support the user; hidden (Finder, Go, hold Option)
"Reset an application's settings" means deleting its .plist in ~/Library/Preferences.
Apple ID, MDM, and best practices
A personal Apple ID unlocks iCloud, the App Store, iMessage, and FaceTime, and syncs Keychain and files. Businesses enroll Macs in MDM through Apple Business Manager, assign managed Apple IDs, and push configuration profiles that restrict the App Store, require FileVault and passcodes, configure Wi-Fi and VPN, and allow remote lock and wipe. Best practices: Time Machine backups (hourly, versioned, to an external disk or a network share), antivirus, prompt updates, and Rapid Security Response patches applied as soon as they appear.
System Preferences panes and features
pane what you do there Displays resolution and scaling, arrangement, brightness, Night Shift Network Wi-Fi, Ethernet, TCP/IP (DHCP or manual), DNS, proxies, VPN Printers and Scanners add printers (AirPrint), default printer, scanner setup Privacy and Security app permissions, FileVault, firewall, Gatekeeper Accessibility VoiceOver, zoom, contrast, keyboard and pointer aids Time Machine backup disk and options
Features: multiple desktops (Spaces) and Mission Control for an overview; Keychain for passwords; Spotlight for search; iCloud with iCloud Drive; iMessage and FaceTime; trackpad gestures; Finder and Dock; Continuity (Handoff, Universal Clipboard, AirDrop, Sidecar) across Apple devices. Utilities: Disk Utility (partition, erase, First Aid), FileVault, Terminal, Force Quit.
Worked examples
- A user downloaded an app and says "it opens a window with the app and a folder, then nothing installs." That is a .dmg; drag the app into the Applications folder shown, then eject.
- A corporate Mac refuses to open a downloaded tool. Gatekeeper or an MDM restriction; the technician either approves it in Privacy and Security or the policy forbids it.
- A user's Mac was stolen. FileVault protected the data; MDM or Find My can lock and wipe it; Time Machine restores their files to a new Mac.
- An application is frozen. Force Quit with Command-Option-Esc.
- A Mac's disk shows errors. Disk Utility, select the volume, First Aid.
How the exam asks it
- "Which macOS file type is a disk image?" .dmg.
- "Where do user-specific settings live on a Mac?" /Users/name/Library.
- "Which utility provides full-disk encryption on macOS?" FileVault.
- "Which feature backs up a Mac?" Time Machine.
- "How does a user end a frozen application?" Force Quit (Command-Option-Esc).
- "Which feature stores passwords on a Mac?" Keychain.
- "Which Apple mechanism delivers urgent security fixes between OS updates?" Rapid Security Response.
What to memorize
- The translation table and the three file types.
- The five folders and ~/Library.
- Apple ID, managed IDs and MDM; Time Machine, antivirus, updates, Rapid Security Response.
- Preferences panes; the feature list; Disk Utility, FileVault, Terminal, Force Quit.