defaults - set preferences in macOS — by SS64.com

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Reference for the defaults command, which reads, writes and deletes macOS app preferences stored as property lists. It explains domains, why defaults is safer than hand-editing plists because of preference caching, and that Dock or Finder changes usually need killall to take effect.

Quick steps

Use killall Dock or killall Finder to apply changes to those apps

Paraphrased from the source. Menus can differ by version, so check the original for full details.

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Source: defaults - set preferences in macOS by SS64.com. Licence: Link only (©).

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

macosdefaultsterminalpreferences

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