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Mysterious red number "1" on System Settings icon

There is a red number "1" over the System Settings icon in the dock, but I cannot figure out what I haven't done. The OS is up to date, I did the latest update today. When I click on the System Settings icon, it goes straight to the Appearance settings, but there is nothing there that's telling me I need to do or change something.


Thank you.

MacBook Pro (2021)

Posted on May 30, 2023 1:31 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on May 30, 2023 4:50 AM

Thanks for the reply. Yeah after I checked my software was up to date I checked for apps that may need update. But still nothing. No app update is pending. Also this red dot with the number 1 does not appear in any of the categories inside System settings. Only on the settings icon on the dock.

11 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

May 30, 2023 4:50 AM in response to ku4hx

Thanks for the reply. Yeah after I checked my software was up to date I checked for apps that may need update. But still nothing. No app update is pending. Also this red dot with the number 1 does not appear in any of the categories inside System settings. Only on the settings icon on the dock.

Feb 12, 2024 9:04 PM in response to stelkr

I get the same thing. The Systems Settings icon shows up randomly in my dock with a red circle with a number "1" in it. I know what it's supposed to mean and most times I find the update ...because it's obvious it's a software update ...or possibly an app update. But most times, like now, there is no update. There is *nothing* I can find.


If I ignore it long enough, it goes away ...maybe for months. And then it shows up again. With nothing to show for it.


What's also annoying about it is when I click on the System Settings icon in the Dock, it *always* takes me to the Appearance Settings section ..and there is *never* anything in there needing attention; it's all user set options. Why can't this notification be made to take you to where the issue is? Or at least the General Settings section ...since that's where the updates are usually found.



[Edited by Moderator]


Mysterious red number "1" on System Settings icon

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