Welcome!
If you are on this page, chances are, you want to make YOUR macOS setup match the macOS 10.15 Sequoia concept that I've brought to life!
There's much more than just what's on the desktop. There's functionality, login screen customizations, and more!
Let's get started!
There's much more than just what's on the desktop. There's functionality, login screen customizations, and more!
Let's get started!
Requirement(s) and Disclaimers:
Before we start, I want to note a couple things:
- I have only tested this setup on Mojave as that is the only OS that I have to test. It should work just fine on High Sierra (and possibly even below), but don't quote me on that.
- Things are subject to change! This is an evolving setup where things will be added, changed, removed, and more. I'll always update the tutorial to include the latest updates, and Twitter will be the first to know!
- Some things that work on Mojave will work differently (or not at all) on High Sierra and below. The login screen is a completely different process on other versions of macOS, and I'm not sure how to complete them. If I remember correctly, it's pretty easy- easier, in fact, then this tutorial is. But, just thought I should note that.
- At this time I will not include how to change the 'About this Mac' screen. That process is not complete, and could be very disastrous if not done correctly. Until I can perfect the process, I'm going to leave that part out of the tutorial.
- (This one may get me in trouble... :/ ) I did only paid for 1 of the applications that I use. However, some of them are paid. I should never recommend pirating, but, I will send links if you DM me. No judgement- I did it too! I don't mind. :D
However, you have to understand why I can't link that sort of stuff here- I don't want to get into any trouble. If you want the links, DM me on Twitter. I'll send a painless (Google Drive / MEGA) link.
Links and Apps you'll need:
Here are the links and apps I used to get this setup! These will be added to whenever a new update comes out, I'll note on Twitter whenever I add or change something.
- Links and Apps for Pt. 1:
- Bartender (Free trial - $15 for premium): This will neaten your finder-bar area up top to make things a lot cleaner and less cluttered. That is what those three little dots are up in the finder-bar. I think that this app is waaaay overpriced- $0.99 - $5 would be much more reasonable. So, make your decision carefully.
- Vanilla - Alt. to Bartender (Free - $5 for premium): Vanilla is a much more affordable alternative to Bartender- and gets you the same features for free. You can pay the $5 dollars to get some premium features, which isn't necessary, and I don't even recommend paying it. However, for someone on a budget who wants the cleaner finder-bar, this is a MUCH better choice!
- cDock (Free trial - $5 for full app): cDock, in my opinion, is the meat of this whole concept. The dock at the bottom is the biggest part of the whole concept, and hosts the most changes and features.
Again though, the payment is something that not many people would like to do- which I can understand. If you don't want to pay, I believe you have 14 days to try- to where you can use something like CleanMyMac to remove it and reinstall it and reset the trial. - Magnet (No trial :/ - $0.99 for full app & Optional): Another staple in my macOS setup is Magnet. Magnet allows for Windows-like window snapping through drag-and-drop, and programmable keyboard shortcuts. Definitely optional, but I like to imagine that it's built into Sequoia!
- Toggle Night/Light Mode from Dock (Optional): Okay, this one isn't required really, but I made it a built-in feature to my custom setup. I use this thing ALL THE TIME, and I love it! Much quicker than going into settings every time!
- Wallpapers (Optional): The macOS Sequoia wallpapers (yep, there are 3 varients!), are custom-made by me, and you can grab them by clicking on the link. If you need a different size, let me know!
- Logo: Like the wallpapers, I made a logo for Sequoia too that reflects the wallpaper, and can be used as a user-image or can be used in the 'About this Mac' screen when that tutorial becomes available.
- Icons: These icons were not made by me. They were made by Octaviotti on DeviantArt. You can find a list of every icon he's made here, or click on the first link to download the ClayOS icon pack that he made, which is the icon pack that I use!
- LiteIcon: Tool to change icons from the standard macOS ones to the ones above!
- OnyX (Optional): Tool used to add text to the login screen in Mojave and below, and to change the login wallpaper on Mojave.
Tutorial: Full setup- start to finish
Let's begin!!!
- Download all your desired apps above. Download any apps or graphics you so choose from the links above.
- Install Bartender/Vanilla. Part of Sequoia is minimalism and simplicity. The finder-bar takes this on by using a clutter-reducer app such as Bartender or Vanilla. You can leave Vanilla's preferences as-is, but for Bartender, use these!
- Install cDock. The next part of Sequoia comes in the new design for the dock. More pronounced shadows, rounder finish, and no borders that lets it blend seamlessly with any wallpaper you so choose. Not to mention color-matched badges, and a more complete light/dark experience. Use cDock to match your preferences with mine, or just download the macOS 10.15 backup folder here!
Place the backup folder in the themes folder of cDock which you can find by going to the cDock prefs, and clicking the 'Show' under the 'Theme Options' section in the main menu.
- Install LiteIcon. Once you've downloaded and installed LiteIcon, it'll be very easy to drag and drop icons from the folder to the LiteIcon app and get your custom icons. I also recommend downloading the ClayOS icon pack rather than downloading individual icons one-by-one. Follow the image below!
- (Optional) Change the wallpaper to the custom Sequoia set. Simply download the wallpapers onto your Mac, and set whichever one as your wallpaper. You can choose one with or without the logo, and if you don't want the logo, you can choose either blurred or not blurred.
- (Optional) Follow instructions to create the light/dark mode toggle. Again, not required, but highly recommended. Very useful to those who want to change it on the fly!
- (Optional) Install Magnet. I recommend Magnet to those who aren't even attempting this setup. Magnet adds window-management features to your Mac that I truthfully cannot live without. Try it out!
- (Optional) Change your Login screen to include text and a custom wallpaper. You can install the OnyX app to automate the processes of adding text and a custom wallpaper if you'd rather not use terminal commands and file-system digging.
If you're on High Sierra though, you can simply replace the image in /Library/Caches that is titled com.apple.desktop.admin.png with either of the custom ones in the Wallpapers folder linked above.
As for Mojave, I have found that OnyX is the best solution. I was never successful when it came to manually replacing the files, so, I'd highly recommend using OnyX. Follow the images below!
To change the login screen text, you can use OnyX, or you can go to System Preferences >> Security & Privacy >> Set Lock Message... and set it there.
That's about it!
Enjoy your new macOS 10.15 Sequoia setup! Modern and fresh!
Enjoy your new macOS 10.15 Sequoia setup! Modern and fresh!