TinkerTool: make macOS fine adjustments safely

September 25th 2017 is from the helpful macOS software TinkerTool Version 6.21 was released. TinkerTool can therefore be used both under macOS 10.12 Sierra and macOS 10.13 High Sierra. If you use the software, you can use it to make fine adjustments and functions that are built into the Apple operating system for the Mac, but are not immediately apparent to the average user. In this post I will show you the details of the program, which enables configurations on the Mac safely and without admin rights.

can configure browsers. Image: bresink.com" width="620″ height="277″ /> Settings in macOS with TinkerTool – here you can see what you can configure on the Safari browser. Image: bresink.com

TinkerTool: Details on the configuration helper

TinkerTool you can download Puma for all versions of macOS, OS X and Mac OS X from 10.1. You will receive details on the individual software generations on the product page, on which you can also find the TinkerTool download of the latest versions for Sierra and High Sierra. I would like to show details and functions of these in the following.

Worth knowing: These Macs are compatible with macOS High Sierra

If you are toying with the idea of ​​downloading and using TinkerTool, then you might first want to know which programs and system sections you can influence. These are the individual macOS elements that you can adjust with the software (you will find screenshots of each area again below):

• Finder (e.g. show hidden files etc)
• Dock
• Launchpad
• iTunes
• Desk
• Safari
• Setting options for other macOS programs
• General settings for all programs
• Font settings for multiple programs
• Additional features as well as resetting all changes

You can also make general changes and settings in the Apple operating system for the Mac. Image: bresink.com

Individual settings in the overview

To list all the settings, changes and configurations that are possible with TinkerTool under macOS would go beyond the scope. Therefore at this point only an excerpt from important application examples of the TinkerTool software. You can find a complete list on the website of the programmer Marcel Bresink linked above.

• Show hidden system files in the Finder
• Turn off sound effects in the Finder
• Switching off various animations
• Blocking various functions of Finder and Co.
• Enable and disable Press and hold for accents
• Set the file format for macOS screenshots
• Set how to deal with Mac system crashes
• Prevent programs from closing automatically
• Set the default fonts for Safari (proportional and non-proportional)
• Allow iTunes half-star ratings
• And much more

In the start screen of TinkerTool you are informed that the program only changes settings and does not manipulate any parts of the operating system or execute any scripts.

Security when configuring macOS

Not only as a home user of macOS on the Apple Mac, iMac or MacBook, the security of the system is of course very important when changing with third-party software - but also when using it on professionally used Apple computers. However, as Marcel Bresink assures on his website, you can rest assured with TinkerTool:

"The tool ensures that changing setting values ​​only affects the current user. No administrator rights are required [...] Due to this product design, it is not a problem to use TinkerTool in professional networks [...] The program never changes components of the operating system, so your computer is not exposed to any risk and there are no restrictions on system updates. Compliance with these security rules is also guaranteed by the macOS application sandbox."

Conclusion on TinkerTool

You can download TinkerTool for Apple operating systems from Mac OS X 10.1 Puma. "TinkerTool Classic" is available for this and the Jaguar and Panther versions. Other versions also cover Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite and El Capitan. Versions like Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah and older are no longer supported. However, the TinkerTool software is a useful, free and safe program for fine-tuning your Mac for the Apple Mac operating systems mentioned.

What's your opinion? Feel free to leave a comment! ;)

Screenshots from TinkerTool

To get a small overview of the setting options, you can click through the following screenshots, which I just made under macOS High Sierra:

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.