Customize Sidebar Order in macOS 13 System Settings

macOS 13 Ventura replaced the long-standing System Preferences layout with a new iOS-inspired System Settings application featuring a persistent left-hand sidebar. This article explains whether users can customize or reorder the sections within this sidebar and outlines the most effective alternative methods for navigating your Mac's system settings quickly.

The short answer is no; Apple does not provide a native way to customize, reorder, or hide items in the macOS 13 System Settings sidebar. The order is hardcoded by Apple, organized into predefined groupings such as network connectivity, general hardware and system settings, display and sound, and account controls. Unlike older versions of macOS (macOS 12 Monterey and earlier), which allowed users to organize preference panes alphabetically or hide specific icons entirely, macOS 13 locks the sidebar into a fixed arrangement with no user-facing customization toggles or Terminal commands available to alter the list.

Because the sidebar cannot be modified, navigating the extensive list can sometimes feel slower than the previous grid view. To access settings more efficiently, you can use several built-in navigation shortcuts:

• The Built-in Search Bar: Located at the top of the sidebar, the search field is the fastest way to find buried toggles. Typing a specific setting or keyword will instantly filter the sidebar options.
• The Menu Bar "View" Option: With System Settings open, click View in the top menu bar. This displays a traditional alphabetical list of every settings pane, allowing you to bypass the sidebar's default grouping entirely.
• Spotlight Search: Press Command + Space from anywhere in macOS and type the name of the pane you need (e.g., "Displays" or "Trackpad"). Pressing Return will open System Settings directly to that specific section.
• Siri: You can prompt Siri directly to change settings or open specific panes by saying commands like "Open Network Settings" or "Turn on Dark Mode."

While third-party modifications exist for many areas of macOS, the System Settings app remains sandboxed and protected by macOS System Integrity Protection (SIP), preventing system-level modifications to the user interface. Users looking for a faster workflow must rely on search tools and menu shortcuts rather than reorganizing the sidebar itself.