Lesson 11: App Preferences

Question 1

Key Points

Many apps require a way to store data like app preferences.

App preferences can be stored in property list files.

Property lists are XML documents with the .plist file extension.

These files contain information that affects how macOS and apps function.

Common directories containing plists include:

/Library/Preferences

These root library preferences affect all users on a computer.

~/Library/Preferences

These user library preferences only affect the current user.

Plists are typically saved in binary format.

Quick Look is a fast and easy way to view plists but not edit them.

Specialized text editors, like Xcode, can be used to properly display binary formatted plists.

Quick Look is a feature in macOS that lets the user preview a file. Select the file and press the Space bar to preview.

Changes to preferences take effect immediately, but the macOS process cfprefsd may cause a delay before the changes are written to a plist.

Plists can be configured and deployed remotely to control app preferences with Jamf Pro.

Answer 1

https://youtu.be/ynR5nHjQn-U