If a font resides in the /System/Library/Fonts location, it's a system font. This can create several issues with font management tools in regards to how they handle managing these same fonts included in a personal font collection since those fonts are already present and automatically-activated by macOS.įonts that macOS includes in their default font collection are called system fonts, and in recent versions of macOS, system fonts are automatically activated and locked as such, Apple does not allow the user to deactivate, move, or remove system fonts in macOS 11 and later. MacOS 11 (Big Sur), macOS 12 (Monterey), and macOS 13 (Ventura) include and automatically-activate many common fonts such as Arial, Courier, Helvetica, Times New Roman, and more. Common Font activation issues in newer versions of macOS Conversely, Mac OS X applications can use these fonts, even when the Classic environment is not active.Suitcase Fusion and Suitcase TeamSync have become Connect Fonts. Classic applications can access only these fonts, not those stored elsewhere. If more than one Mac OS 9.1 System Folder is present, only fonts in the System Folder selected in the Classic pane of System Preferences are used. This folder contains fonts used by the Classic environment (Mac OS X v10.4 or earlier only).

They should not be manually altered or removed.

Mac OS X requires fonts in this folder for system use and displays. This feature is normally used on network file servers, under the control of a network administrator. The Network folder is for fonts shared among all users of a local area network. This is the recommended location for fonts that are shared among applications. An admin user can modify the contents of this folder. Mac OS X does not require these additional fonts for system operation.

Fonts installed here are not available to all users of the computer.Īny local user of the computer can use fonts installed in this folder.

These fonts are available to that user when he or she is logged in to the computer. Apple provides a list of directories here: Įach user has complete control over the fonts installed in their Home.

Default mac fonts list