Mac at the University of Helsinki

This page contains information and instructions for Mac devices at the University of Helsinki.

You can see the operating system version, i.e. the macOS version, by clicking on the Apple menu and selecting About this Mac. Three newest operation systems are supported versions.

Read more about macOS operating systems from Apple Support.

Computers under the university's centralised management can now be upgraded to macOS Tahoe as self-service.

The new Macs will also be delivered with macOS Tahoe.

Managed Software Center of the centrally administered UH Mac computers gives regular popup notifications when the operating system or applications require updates. In case you wish to silence these notifications while you are giving a presentation or attending a meeting, for example, you can do so by using the Focus-mode within macOS. Read more on Focus from Apple's own instructions.

Quick help

The manual that comes with your new machine
First login
Important note about changing your password!
Centralised administration of Mac
My Mac laptop at university
Apple mobile devices

The manual that comes with your new machine

A new Mac comes with a printed quick start guide to get you started.

Mac

PDF updated January 2024.

The first time you log on to the computer, it must be connected to the University of Helsinki network (eduroam or wired network).

Connect the computer to the HY wired network using the USB-C cable that came with it.
Log on to the computer using the short form of your password (e.g. rkeskiva or hy12345).
Note! The machine may not let you in on the first try, so try again if, for example, it flashes a black screen after you enter your password.

After the first login, you will be able to log in even if you are away from the computer or if no network is available.

Important note about changing your password!

Because of the Keychain, Mac administration recommends changing the Mac user password according to a separate instructions.

You can see the detailed password requirements in the password reset app www.helsinki.fi/password. Password requirements are not published for security reasons.

Centralised administration of Mac

Logging in to your Mac and the problems with it

When you log in to your computer, information about your login is passed to the back-end systems. The information transferred is used to enable one-time logins (SSO) to other university services. This information is valid for 10 hours at a time.

If the single sign-on stops working, please check the validity of the authorization in the University menu > Computer Info. If the authorization is not valid, the Computer Info will read "Ticket: no".

You can re-enable the authorization as follows:

Open Terminal, type the command kinit and enter the password for your account (Note that when entering the password, the terminal does not display characters!)

TAI

Put the machine to sleep for a while (Apple menu > Sleep) and then wake up (by clicking a key on the keyboard). Enter your password to log in. Do not sign in with your Apple Watch or fingerprint*.

After this, the authorization is valid for the next 10 hours. Once the authorisation is valid, the one-time enrolment will work.

*) If you use a fingerprint sensor or Apple Watch, the authorisation will not be renewed. This affects, among other things, the single sign-on and thus, for example, printing.

Tip for users: Turn off your computer at the end of the workday. Not only will you save energy, but the one-time registration services will continue to work normally throughout the working day.

My Mac laptop at university

Apple mobile devices

iOS devices (i.e. iPad and iPhone) can be used to access university services such as email, the eduroam network and remote VPN access.

Detailed help

Video instruction

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