How to make a Mac ask before saving changes
2 min read · 3 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open System Settings, click Desktop & Dock, scroll to Windows and switch on Ask to keep changes when closing documents. By default, unsaved changes are saved automatically when you close a document. With the switch on, the Mac asks whether to save them.
- Device
- Mac
- Shown on
- macOS Tahoe 26
- App
- System Settings
- Path
- System Settings › Desktop & Dock › Windows
- Real screenshots
- 3 of 3 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
Many Mac apps save your changes automatically when you close a document. If you opened a file only to try something out, the changes are kept anyway. Apple offers a switch for people who prefer to be asked.
The screenshots show System Settings on macOS Tahoe 26.
Step by step
Open System Settings
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and choose System Settings.
Click Desktop & Dock in the sidebar
It is below Appearance. You may need to scroll down in the sidebar.
Scroll to Windows and switch on Ask to keep changes when closing documents
It is the second row of the Windows group. In the picture it is off.
Good to know
Prefer tabs when opening documents, the row above, decides when documents open in a tab and not in a new window: Never, Always or In Full Screen.
In short: System Settings, Desktop & Dock, Windows, Ask to keep changes when closing documents on.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.