TinkerTool
{{Multiple issues|
{{primary sources|date=May 2023}}
{{notability|Product|date=May 2023}}
}}
{{Infobox software
| name = TinkerTool
| logo = 128px
| screenshot = 250px
| caption = TinkerTool running on macOS Mojave with its General pane open
| operating system = macOS
| released = December 7, 2010
| latest release date = {{release date and age|2025|02|11|df=yes}}
| language = Multilingual
| genre = Utilities
| license = Freeware
| website = {{URL|http://www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerTool.html}}
| latest release version = 10.2
}}
TinkerTool is a freeware application for macOS that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to change settings that are normally hidden, thereby allowing the user to customise the system.{{cite web |last1=Bresink |first1=Marcel |title=TinkerTool: Description |url=http://www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerTool.html |publisher=Software-Systeme |accessdate=23 February 2019}} It is developed by German developer Marcel Bresink Software-Systeme. Its latest release is version 10.2.{{cite web |last1=Bresink |first1=Marcel |title=TikerTool: What's new? |url=http://www.bresink.com/osx/0TinkerTool/history.html |website=Software-Systeme |accessdate=23 February 2019}}{{Cite web |title=TinkerTool: Download |url=https://www.bresink.com/osx/0TinkerTool/download.php |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.bresink.com}}
Features
TinkerTool gives users access to hidden system and application settings that Apple has built into macOS, but not integrated into GUI settings menus. Although users can typically access these through Terminal operations, TinkerTool assembles them and provides a GUI similar to Apple’s System Settings application for easier access.
By using Apple’s hidden settings, the application only makes changes that are reversible; it also only affects the account of the user running TinkerTool. Administrative privileges and background processing are not required. The application also can reset all settings to Apple's defaults, or to the state that existed before using the application.
History
Initially, TinkerTool worked with all versions of macOS. However, over the years, compatibility with particular versions of macOS was spun off into separate applications: TinkerTool Classic, TinkerTool Classic Generation 2, TinkerTool 4, TinkerTool 5, TinkerTool 6, and the current TinkerTool. Support therefore goes back to Mac OS X 10.1 Puma and later.{{URL|http://www.bresink.com/osx/0TinkerTool/issues.html|TinkerTool versions}}
Versions
TinkerTool versions are specific to versions of macOS and are not backward compatible. The program will not work correctly if used with an OS for which it was not designed.{{Cite web |title=TinkerTool: Notes |url=https://www.bresink.com/osx/0TinkerTool/issues.html |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=www.bresink.com}}
| class="wikitable"
|+Tinker Tool Version Overview{{Cite web |title=TinkerTool Version Overview |url=https://www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerToolOverview.html |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=www.bresink.com}} !Name of special TinkerTool version !For operating systems !Current Version |
| Tinker Tool 1.1.2 (Historical Edition)
|Mac OS X Public Beta |1.1.2 |
| Tinker Tool 1.5.2 (Historical Edition)
|Mac OS X 10.0 Cheetah |1.5.2 |
| Tinker Tool Classic
|Mac OS X 10.1 Puma Mac OS X 10.2 Jaguar Mac OS X 10.3 Panther |3.95 |
| Tinker Tool Classic Generation 2
|Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard |4.5 |
| Tinker Tool 4
|Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard Mac OS X 10.7 Lion OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion |4.97 |
| Tinker Tool 5
|OS X 10.9 Mavericks OS X 10.10 Yosemite OS X 10.11 El Capitan |5.7 |
| Tinker Tool 6
|macOS 10.12 Sierra macOS 10.13 High Sierra |6.5 |
| Tinker Tool 7
|macOS 10.14 Mojave macOS 10.15 Catalina |7.6 |
| Tinker Tool 8
|macOS 11 Big Sur macOS 12 Monterey |8.6 |
| Tinker Tool 9
|macOS 13 Ventura macOS 14 Sonoma |9.81 |
| Tinker Tool
|macOS 15 Sequoia |10 or later |
The current build is actively maintained. However, all previous versions in support of past operating systems are still available for download from the developer's website.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.bresink.com/osx/TinkerTool.html|TinkerTool}} – official site