Useful macOS defaults: System Settings

com.apple.systemsettings controls the System Settings app, which replaced System Preferences starting in macOS Ventura.

System Settings itself has very few hidden defaults. The real settings live in the individual domains for each feature (Dock, Keyboard, Trackpad, and so on). But there are a few things worth knowing.

Open System Settings to a specific pane

You can open System Settings to a particular section from the command line:

# General
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.settings.General"

# Appearance
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Appearance-Settings.extension"

# Wi-Fi
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.wifi-settings-extension"

# Bluetooth
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.BluetoothSettings"

# Network
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Network-Settings.extension"

# Sound
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Sound-Settings.extension"

# Displays
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Displays-Settings.extension"

# Keyboard
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Keyboard-Settings.extension"

# Trackpad
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Trackpad-Settings.extension"

# Privacy and Security
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.settings.PrivacySecurity.extension"

# Software Update
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Software-Update-Settings.extension"

# Profiles (if any are installed)
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Profiles-Settings.extension"

# Sharing
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Sharing-Settings.extension"

# Battery
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Battery-Settings.extension"

# Lock Screen
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Lock-Screen-Settings.extension"

# Desktop and Dock
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Desktop-Settings.extension"

# Spotlight
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Spotlight-Settings.extension"

# Accessibility
open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Accessibility-Settings.extension"

These URLs are useful in scripts, Shortcuts automations, and documentation where you want to send someone straight to the right place.

Stop System Settings from reopening the last pane

defaults write com.apple.systemsettings NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows -bool false

This makes System Settings open to the main page each time instead of returning to wherever you left off.

Find the URL for any settings pane

If you need to find the URL for a pane not listed above, open System Settings, go to the pane you want, then run:

defaults read com.apple.systemsettings | grep -i "lastPane"

Or check the running process:

log stream --predicate 'process == "System Settings"' --style compact | grep -i "extension"

Where do the real settings live?

System Settings is a front end. It reads and writes to the same defaults domains that existed under System Preferences:

Changing defaults in these domains has the same effect whether you are on the old System Preferences or the new System Settings.

Read current System Settings preferences

defaults read com.apple.systemsettings

Notes

The x-apple.systempreferences: URL scheme works on macOS Ventura and later. The exact extension names can change between macOS versions. If a URL stops working after an update, check for a renamed extension.

The old open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preference.keyboard" style URLs from System Preferences no longer work on macOS Ventura and later. Use the new extension-based URLs above.

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