How To Set Up a New MacBook (2024 Step-By-Step Guide)

The first 500 people to use my link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/createdlabs02241
Setting up a new MacBook doesn't have to be hard. In fact, it's now easier than ever, but sometimes it's nice to have someone explain certain things and guide you through the setup process. That's where I come in! I've probably set up hundreds of MacBooks over the years and here is the exact, step-by-step process I recommend as well as some macOS tips and settings you should change.
Products featured in this video:
⮕ Apple World Adapter Travel Kit: geni.us/appletraveladapter
⮕ USB-C to Ethernet Adapter: geni.us/ankerusbcethernet
Helpful links:
⮕ How to Use Migration Assistant: support.apple.com/en-us/102613
⮕ Magnet App (free download): magnet.crowdcafe.com/
⮕ Setapp free trial (access hundreds of apps): crtd.tech/setapp
VPNs I have used and can recommend:
⮕ NordVPN: nordvpn.com/
⮕ ProtonVPN: crtd.tech/protonvpn
⮕ Private Internet Access VPN: crtd.tech/privateinternetaccess
Helpful videos you should watch:
⮕ How To Clean Your MacBook: • Cleaning a DIRTY MacBo...
⮕ Ultimate MacBook Battery Guide: • ULTIMATE MacBook Batte...
⮕ 50 macOS Tips and Tricks in 14 Minutes: • 50 INCREDIBLE macOS Ti...
⮕ Don't Use These macOS Apps: • Why You Should NEVER U...
Support the channel:
🖥️ Custom macOS wallpapers: crtd.tech/wallpapers
📷 Follow me on Instagram: / createdtech
00:00 Introduction
00:42 Physical Check
05:32 Skillshare
06:50 Initial Setup
17:37 macOS Customisations
24:50 Things You Must Know
#macbook #mac #macos
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Disclaimer: Some of the above links are affiliated, and we may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

[@ConnorMJ2029]

me watching this on a gaming pc i just built

[@KarlDaGreato]

Me watching this on my week y.o. Xiaomi Pad 6: 😶

[@shashankvats753]

😂😂

[@Stann99]

Me watching in ipad pro 12.9’ 2022 6th gen 256gb in youtube premium

[@nothinginteresting1833]

watching on my brand new Sony Xperia 1 V

[@SyedSufiyanJaved]

Me watching on a nokia 3310

[@joank3755]

Genuinely one of the best videos I ve ever seen on KZbin So helpful and easy . You aced that dude. keep doing more!!!

[@Ian_Laing]

Me watching this with 0 dollars in my bank account

[@devashishkalambe5014]

But a heart of a king 😎

[@Anthony-nr7lw]

Nice vid mate, waiting for my first Macbook in a couple of weeks👍🏽

[@herzonchu6153]

This is timely as I just bought my first ever new MacBook. Thank you, Mate!

[@MarbsMusic]

Congratulations!

[@jurgenxumalo]

P

[@SameOldStoryz]

perfect! got mine a few days ago! I switched from a i5 7200u to a m3 14inch, the power difference is insane! and the speakers are just Wonderfull!

[@DerrickNotEric]

Awesome video! very informative and helpful. I just purchased a new MacBook Pro so this was much needed. New subbie here! 💚

[@djutsu]

Just received my m3 pro this week after upgrading from a 2019 base mba. Great video!!! So useful

[@baniarora6312]

Did you decide to use the migration assistant?

[@sassytbc7923]

This is a great video. I am a windows girl, but thinking about getting my first MacBook, and know nothing about them. I appreciate the detail you went to in the video. Thank you

[@Faith_Tvshow]

Thank you so much for this video I just pick up my MacBook yesterday and this video has just help me to set it up . ❤I love it

[@yungcap]

very good and helpful video, taught me a few things i am definitely gonna use when i get my mac in a few days

[@SkyDaraNews]

Nice To See To See You !!! ❤ love to learn more from you ❤🙏

[@jacquesmarino7757]

Many thanks mate for the amount of time and passion you put into producing this very helpful "start up guide" from an Aussie/French living now in South of France, Cheers

[@CreatedTech]

Glad it helped!

[@djgcue]

I’m here for the cutest YT calico kitty. Highlight of my day!

[@AhmedAka-oq2wx]

Nice video mate ❤

[@qqvrbx]

I’m so happy that there is finally an Aussie creator setting this up. Everyone always has different plugs but it’s so reassuring seeing someone have an Aussie plug that I’m used too. New sub❤

[@mannyw_]

lol

[@yaz3121]

Perfect timing, just got my first ever Macbook (first ever iOS device) then this video dropped

[@sebabonvin]

Hey man, great video! New subscriber 👋🏻

[@CelesteandJames]

Easy setup tutorial. Another personal favourite setup I like to do for the trackpad is the three-finger drag lock. It’s quite a hidden trick on the mac setting, but man it makes dragging items on the computer so much better! I’ve been using this trick since my first MacBook in 2010! To set it up, open system settings, choose accessibility on the left hand menu, scroll down to pointer control, click trackpad options, enable dragging with three fingers, and let it change your life!

[@ReceiveMusic]

Now that's an actual useful tip. I wonder if it also works with the separate track pad slab that Apple sells.

[@treycybanana]

got my first mac today and this has been very helpful

[@MarbsMusic]

If you save everything to iCloud or an external TB4 drive it's quite easy just to ignore migration and just copy things back over. Excellent and very through setup guide, especially for first time Mac users! I should have had my wife watch this but guess the bonding time setting up her new MacBook was worth it :)

[@mkramer7505]

A tip for the migration assistent is using a usb c to usb c cable between your two macs, that greatly improves the speed

[@SUYA.]

*me watching this on a smart fridge display i stole*

[@MIN_Tech]

Very niceee~ video! 👍🏻

[@ArchieMalabanan]

got my first macbook! thank you for this

[@732harris]

💯 Mutiple desktop option is wow. I didn’t knew that.

[@truebro77]

Actually sitting here an an old Lenovo that takes about 3 seconds to scroll down to the next section of a page and there's lags EVERYWHERE waiting on my arrival today sso so excited!!!

[@Rileyandwinnie]

Just got my 15" Macbook air starlight and I LOVE IT. Thanks for the video!

[@CreatedTech]

No problem, glad you enjoy it! I'll be making more MacBook content soon.

[@vanshbahl5]

great quality

[@Prebbech]

Bought a macbook air M3 yesterday. First Mac for me since the Apple Lisa!. Will make a change from Windows/Intel.

[@hamletgolucky3628]

13” or 15”?

[@marioz2429]

Thank you much ❤

[@LeonDeSilva-io1px]

just got my new MacBook Air M2 and I'm loving it.

[@warrior2364]

Im saving up to buy an M1 MacBook for only 600$ which is a really good price

[@PaulChavelas]

is this McDonalds ? lol jk I can't wait to get mine I want the M3 pro tho that rhymed don't hate the player hate the game Bars !

[@nishantsingh7235]

Same​@@warrior2364

[@af-dx6gn]

Thanks bro

[@louisolivi]

I got the AirPods max a couple of months ago and the sniff was so amazing

[@PeterEmery]

Hopefully a new M3 MacBook Air will arrive tomorrow. I intend to have it set up the same as my current M1 MacBook air. Therefore I'll use a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 cable (I have both) to connect the two computers for the highest available data transfer rate via Migration Assistant.

[@Criminaldmge]

Is there a way to set up wallpapers that are changing throughout the day?

[@Monkore]

very good

[@denenkpojime1440]

0:38 i love the wallpaper for your Mac. How do i find that, please? Great video

[@ItsEzlan]

can you do a video for Windows users who have recently picked up an MBP as a second system for lightweight work and travel?

[@bikashjena8167]

Me watching without having the macbook

[@dawgcodmobile9768]

Not the only one

[@lil_nginya]

me watching till the end with 0$😅.......great video bro mac os looks good would really love to have a macbook

[@oliyb]

100 private😂. U crack me up.😅. Great vid 😊

[@truebro77]

really amazing walkthrough. I'm genuiney nervous about owning an aple prduct for the first ever time today. New macbook pro coming so this is making it feel easier.. Love yout little comments along the way too haha annoying little kid. and you cringed inside when you changed your emoji to a koala haha

[@Celine-rj6ti]

After setting up my wifi it said there’s already a new software update and if i wanna install it. Is that normal? (Macbook air m3 2024)

[@libmorin9985]

using macs since post-Lisa...want to clean the keyboard and touchpad without it starting up (creates a mess of open windows and screen changes cleaning the pad lol): how to disable the start up temporarily for cleaning?

[@sweealamak628]

Just in time for the arrival of M3 Macbook Airs 😊

[@hamletgolucky3628]

13” or 15”?

[@ehiujiagbe5236]

i am considering a swithcing from windows to mac. My worries is using microsoft packages including teams, outlook email..etc

[@ttscornerkitchenanddecor4582]

This video is cool

[@Grommok]

Great video. I just bought an M3 Air and my old MacBook is 9 years old, do you recommend data migration or staring fresh?

[@CreatedTech]

I'd recommend starting fresh and simply copying your files over.

[@Mohammed-ux2rn]

How can i use my Iphone apple ID on a new mac without having a copy of everything from my Iphone ?

[@bearusabarwry]

New buying opportunities for all

[@alamgirhoque0]

I don't have any MacBook and laptop also I am enjoying your videos one day I buy.....

[@SayyoSaZ]

Fantastic video! I saw that Magnet costs $4.99 on the Appstore. Am I going to the wrong place where it should be free?

[@mr.b441]

Seems they just started charging for it

[@Filip-fn7mk]

Hello, I have a question, after updating my macbook to version 14.4.1. all folders disappeared from my desktop. And the show desktop function also disappeared (when I have an application open and I click on the desktop, everything is minimized and folders and things appear on the desktop). I downloaded the rectangle app, but I tried to take permissions from it and completely disabled it. Don't know what it could be? Thanks for the reply.

[@minhtrovert]

Now we need a video to how to set up a cat loaf.

[@michsky46]

I went first time in my life into MacBook. amazing machine. the klanky windows I can't use it anymore

[@732harris]

✨ Always record unboxing of an expensive purchase item as a proof.

[@Thebboyy]

I'm going to upgrade from MacBook 12" 2015 to 16" m3 pro it's going to be huge lol

[@anujkalra6145]

2:47 they don’t give the extension cable anymore?

[@sebabonvin]

Waiting for my very first MacBook. I bought a MacBook Pro M3 Pro 😃

[@hamletgolucky3628]

14” or 16”?

[@lorettawarner]

I have a question: I want to start fresh on my new computer and my apple id is very old. Question: can I have a new iCloud email and password for the new computer? Great video, thank you!

[@JJFlores197]

Yes you can create a new Apple ID. Do note that none of the data that's stored on the old account will transfer to your new account. So if you bought any apps, games, movies, music, subscriptions, etc, those will not transfer nor are they transferable to a new account.

[@peterbustin2683]

0:51 Have a tissue to hand at this point.

[@imhuman_torch18]

Ay m8 . why is australian adapter huge ?

[@ivanmytube]

Where can you buy a Macbook Air / Pro M2 at great discount?

[@vinaykanakavalli4535]

Best Buy or Walmart atm

[@mustansarmahmood4600]

Me watching this on my i3 Office PC 🙂🙂

[@jessemedina5436]

I bought this MacBook 3 days ago from Best Buy same color and see how you said there shouldn't be any marks on it well in my reflective apple logo there are little permanent scratch marks I noticed it right out of the box there's like 10 of them its pissing me off cuz for a 2000 dollar laptop I feel like there shouldn't be any permanent marks on the computer other than those little scratches the laptop is perfect but I don't want to look like an a**hole returning it for something so minor but its definitely irking me

[@billythekido1414]

Is there any downside if I never create or use an apple id?

[@CreatedTech]

Yes, you won't be able to use iCloud or download any apps via the app store.

[@Not_Max23]

Why buy a make when you get get an Rtx 40 series for the same price

[@adredy]

Bro have skills 😅😂

[@nickyfoulkes8476]

Magnet app in the Uk is £4.99. Not free.

[@olagunjulucy]

This is one of the most detailed tech videos I've ever watched. Thank you ❤ I'm trying to win this macbook in a giveaway. I pray I win🏆

[@Rdr2PvP]

Aussies for the win!

[@kadarriuscampbell8999]

Watching from zfold 3

[@dhruvmeena96]

How to setup mac back inside in its box and sending it back

[@amirhosseinrajaizadeh2232]

today i bought my m3 pro 16 inch macbook and this is my first experience of using macbook pro at the age of 19 :)

[@dannysairpids]

i got mine yesterday after using windows all my life. I'm 32. I'm excited

[@wlothridge]

I’m 60 year old retiree picking my first MacBook Air M3 this week. Wish me luck! 😢

[@jaygre4836]

ME watching this on my old iMac... as I just bought a MBP M... but ..found out unlike my trusty old mac... the new one FEEDS ALL MY EMAILS that I save passwords on my new comp... TO MY IPHONE 13 PRO.... AAAAAaaaaaaa.. no I just want two main emails.. the rest I check weekly... so help..... HELP...

[@Omm_3931]

I was thinking about to search how to setup a Macbook and KZbin suggested me this video. 😅. Google started reqding minds?😅

[@telboyynwa699]

Why set it up for American English being an Ozzy? Were your English school text books American growing up?

[@CreatedTech]

I use American spelling for my website and scripts.

[@emarskineel]

We ALL sniff new tech

[@bidyut4813]

I was waiting for a while to write this comment. Now I can say that I am watching this video on my own MacBook. BOOM

[@ReetRanaMagar]

I forgot the mac password 😢 but my finger print is working. Any solution plz

[@namansinghal6316]

Hahaha 😂😂😂

[@xayveonkhooblallgamingpro]

i dont need to know this but i still watched it because i was gaming

[@janoo85]

horrible short cut why always 3 buttons? impossible with one hand or even remember to all of it

[@mayavi93]

you can change the account name later.

[@32ps]

3:29 I do that too.

[@akkhan1904]

I am not sure who is the imposter in here!

[@whiteshadow7624]

Me thinking going for macbook but hey that thing can't play games.

[@imjustasalamander]

Actually new MacBook with the M3 And the one that will come with the M4 got Ray tracing and are really good for gaming its just that game company didn’t port their games yet :D

[@AlexsanderFer90]

I'll be honest, I only watched it because of the cat.

[@srikanthshastry4546]

The smell of money you just burnt buying any apple products

[@mythiqul]

Can you send me MacBook? Im also in Australia

[@momotaroux264]

Gotta sniff

[@lukea526]

Soooo.... Magnet is £4.99. I guess they spotted your video 🤬

[@joseedumont3231]

The smell of regret 🤣😂

[@chetanss6542]

bruh they made MAGNET PAID :(

[@user-jt5sh4jm7l]

Tiles is free, and does exactly the same :)

[@chetanss6542]

@user-jt5sh4jm7l thanks man , downloaded it and it worked pretty well 🫡. :)

[@tensom0509]

video starts at 6:51 thank me later

[@DJRoyalePhilly]

Thanks for the video. However it seems you lack awareness and reverence for privacy and data - Apple is not the holy grail.

[@MuaazToOr]

bhai yeh banda bohat fazool batain karta h iss ko samjhao

[@Lalteyn]

Painfully slow

[@pritishpatil7659]

I got one from my office. But for personal use I'll never buy these. These are ridiculously expensive and to update the RAM and storage the additional cost is back breaking. Apple is milking it's customers dry to the bone. And remember, if anything goes bad, they're virtually not repairable or the repair costs almost a new MacBook. Please don't buy these for personal use people :)

[@RigoVids]

First thirty seconds are infuriatingly incomprehensible. Missing connection words, mispronunciations… all coming from a native speaker. 0:04 missing the phrase “you know” in “because you want to make sure (you know) how to set it up correctly…” 0:07 pronounces “are” as if he’s saying “aren’t” (this is just a minor point) 0:10 “I’ve been setting up probably hundreds of MacBooks over the past” means you are still working on hundreds of MacBooks. You should drop the “been” since they’re already set up (completely in the past) 0:12 “on this channel and both at my job” this one is obvious. The both goes before the “on this channel” 0:16 “exactly how to do it, along with some tips and tricks” along is pronounced slurred, sounds like “so long” 0:22 “tips and tricks and essential things” drop the first “and”

[@JJFlores197]

Sounds like user error