L4E PD: Settings & Accessibility

Settings & Accessibility features

Desktop & Dock

Your desktop and dock are customizable and adaptable. The desktop is a surface and a storage space, and the dock is the applications bar. Both have many settings and options to allow you to set your laptop up in a way that makes it work best for you.

Resource: Use the Dock on Mac
Resource: Get to know the Mac desktop
Resource: Ways to organize files on the desktop

Trackpad

On your laptop's trackpad, you can use gestures—such as click, tap, pinch, and swipe—to zoom in on documents, browse through music or webpages, rotate photos, open Notification Center, and more. Most computer mice won't able to mimic these same gestures, but if you purchase Apple's Magic Mouse, you can use some of the same movements. Note: DoT does not provide computer mice.

Resource: Use trackpad gestures
Resource: Change Trackpad settings

Accessibility features

Your laptop includes many accessibility features to support vision, hearing, and physical motor needs, and more. You can set up the Accessibility settings when you first set up your laptop, or you can turn them on later in the laptop's System Settings.

Resource: SFUSD's Everyday Accessibility page
Resource: Get started with accessibility features on Mac
Resource: Change Accessibility settings on Mac
Resource: Turn on accessibility options in the login window

AirPlay & Displays

You can connect your MacBook to other monitors, Apple TVs, and projectors. You might also be able to connect your MacBook to iPads or other Apple Devices if they are new enough, but most district owned iPads are slightly too old for this feature.

If connecting to a projector or other display with a cord, you'll likely need an adapter for your USB-C port.

Resource: Use one or more external displays with your Mac
Resource: Connect a display, TV, or projector to Mac
Resource: Use your iPad as a second display for your Mac - requires a newer iPad
Resource: Stream audio and video from your Mac with AirPlay - may require district-managed Apple TV
Resource: See the USB-C section on our Day 1 of your new device page

Touch ID

Your new MacBook has Touch ID in the upper right corner of the keyboard, and you can use it to unlock your MacBook, instead of typing your password. For security, you will always need to enter your password when you start your MacBook after shutting it down, and sometimes you will also need to enter your password to continue using Touch ID. For example, you will have to re-enter your password every 48 hours. Some websites can also use Touch ID for logging in, as a way to verify that you are the person who should have access to your account.

If Touch ID doesn’t recognize your fingerprint, make sure your finger is clean and dry, then try again. Moisture, lotions, cuts, or dry skin can affect fingerprint recognition. After five incorrect fingerprint attempts, you will be asked to enter your password instead.

A note about privacy (from Apple): Only logged-in users can access their own Touch ID information. An administrator cannot change or view anyone's Touch ID settings or fingerprints.