Are you looking for MacOS Tips to make your life easier? MacOS is an incredibly versatile operating system that has many features to make your daily computing tasks easier. Here are the 20 best macOS Tips for a More Productive Life.
20 Best macOS Tips You Need to Know
Take a screenshot:
Press Command + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot of the entire screen, or Command + Shift + 4 to select a specific area of the screen to capture.
MacOS makes taking screenshots incredibly easy with keyboard shortcuts. To take a screenshot of the entire screen, simply press Command + Shift + 3. The screenshot will be saved to PC/laptop desktop. If you only want to capture a specific area of the screen, press Command + Shift + 4. This will change your cursor to a crosshair, and you can click and drag to select the area you want to capture.
Use Spotlight to quickly find files:
Press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight, then type in the name of the file you’re looking for. The spotlight will search your entire Mac and display results in real-time.
Spotlight is a powerful search tool built into macOS that lets you find files, folders, and applications, and even perform quick calculations. To use Spotlight, press Command + Spacebar to open it, then type in the name of the file you’re looking for. As you type, Spotlight will display results in real time, and you can use the arrow keys to navigate between them.
Create keyboard shortcuts:
Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts to create custom keyboard shortcuts for frequently used applications or actions.
If you have a specific action or application that you use frequently, you can create a keyboard shortcut for it. To do it, go to System Preferences >> Keyboard >> Shortcuts. Here, you can create custom shortcuts for specific applications, system actions, and even menu items. Simply click on the “+” button, select the application or action you want to create a shortcut for and enter the keyboard shortcut you want to use.
Use split-screen view:
Click and hold the green full-screen button in the top-left corner of a window to activate the split-screen view. You can then select another window to display alongside it.
The split-screen view is a great way to multitask on your Mac. To activate it, click and hold the green full-screen button in the top-left corner of a window. This will cause the window to take up half the screen. You can then select another window to display alongside it. This is perfect for working on two documents side-by-side, or keeping an eye on your email while you work on something else.
Customize the dock:
Right-click on the dock and select “Dock Preferences” to adjust its size, position, and which apps appear on it.
The dock is a central feature of macOS, and it’s highly customizable. To adjust the dock’s settings, simply right-click on it and select “Dock Preferences”. Here, you can adjust the size of the dock, change its position on the screen, and even choose which apps appear on it.
Use AirDrop to share files:
Open a Finder window and select “AirDrop” from the sidebar. You can then drag and drop files to share with nearby devices.
AirDrop provides a hassle-free method for transferring files among Apple devices. To use AirDrop, open a Finder window and select “AirDrop” from the sidebar. This will activate AirDrop, and nearby Apple devices will appear in the window. You can then drag and drop files to share them with other devices.
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Use Siri to set reminders:
Click on the Siri icon in the top-right corner of the screen or press Command + Spacebar to activate Siri. You can then ask Siri to set reminders, send messages, or make phone calls.
Siri is a virtual assistant built into macOS that can help you with a variety of tasks. To activate Siri, click on the Siri icon in the top-right corner of the screen, or press Command + Spacebar. You can then ask Siri to set reminders, send messages, make phone calls, and more. For example, you can say “Hey Siri, remind me to buy milk tomorrow at 9 am” and Siri will create a reminder for you.
Use Time Machine to backup your files:
Connect an external hard drive and go to System Preferences > Time Machine to set up automatic backups.
Time Machine is a built-in backup tool in macOS that automatically backs up your files to an external hard drive. To use Time Machine, connect an external hard drive and go to System Preferences > Time Machine. Here, you can select the hard drive you want to use for backups and set up automatic backups. Time Machine will then automatically back up your files on a regular basis, giving you peace of mind knowing that your files are safe.
Use Hot Corners to quickly access features:
Go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > Screen Saver > Hot Corners to assign specific features to each corner of your screen.
Hot Corners is a feature in macOS that lets you assign specific attributes to each corner of your screen. To use Hot Corners, go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > Screen Saver > Hot Corners. Here, you can assign features such as Mission Control, Notification Center, or Launchpad to each corner of your screen. This makes it easy to access these features without having to use keyboard shortcuts or navigate through menus.
Use Night Shift to reduce eye strain:
Go to System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift to enable Night Shift, which adjusts the color temperature of your screen to reduce eye strain.
Night Shift is a feature in macOS that adjusts the color temperature of your screen to reduce eye strain, especially at night. To enable Night Shift, go to System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift. Here, you can set a schedule for when Night Shift turns on and off, or enable it manually. You can also adjust the color temperature to suit your preferences.
Use the dictionary and thesaurus:
Highlight a word and press Command + Control + D to see its definition and synonyms.
The dictionary and thesaurus are built into macOS and can be accessed easily. To use the dictionary and thesaurus, highlight a word and press Command + Control + D. This will display the definition and synonyms of the word in a pop-up window.
Use the built-in magnifier:
Go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Zoom to enable the built-in magnifier, which lets you zoom in on specific parts of the screen.
A built-in magnifier is a great tool for those with visual impairments or who just want to zoom in on specific parts of the screen. To enable the magnifier, go to System Preferences > Accessibility > Zoom. Here, you can enable the magnifier and adjust its settings to suit your preferences.
Use Quick Look to preview files:
Highlight a file and press the spacebar to quickly preview it without opening the application.
Quick Look is a handy feature in macOS that lets you preview files without opening the application. To use Quick Look, highlight a file and press the spacebar. This will display a preview of the file, and you can use the arrow keys to navigate between multiple files.
Use iCloud to sync your files:
Go to System Preferences > iCloud to sync your files across multiple devices.
iCloud is a cloud storage service provided by Apple that lets you sync your files across multiple devices. To use iCloud, go to System Preferences > iCloud and sign in with your Apple ID. Here, you can select which files and data you want to sync across your devices, such as photos, contacts, and documents.
Use the Activity Monitor to manage system resources:
Go to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor to see which applications are using the most CPU, memory, and energy.
The Activity Monitor is a utility built into macOS that lets you see which applications are using the most system resources such as CPU, memory, and energy. To use the Activity Monitor, go to Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor. Here, you can see a list of all running processes and applications, and how much system resources each one is using. This can be helpful in identifying resource-hungry applications and managing your system’s performance.
Use Split View to work with multiple windows:
Click and hold the green full-screen button on a window to enter Split View, which lets you work with two windows side-by-side.
Split View is a feature in macOS that lets you work with two windows side-by-side in full-screen mode. To use Split View, click and hold the green full-screen button on a window, and then select another window to open it in Split View. This can be helpful for multitasking and working with multiple applications at the same time.
Use Terminal to access advanced features:
Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal to access the command-line interface and access advanced features and settings.
The terminal is a built-in utility in macOS that lets you access the command-line interface and execute advanced commands and scripts. To use Terminal, go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal. Here, you can access advanced features and settings, such as changing system settings, installing and managing software, and executing complex scripts.
Use AirDrop to share files wirelessly:
Click on the AirDrop icon in the Finder sidebar to share files wirelessly with nearby devices.
AirDrop is a feature in macOS / macOS Tips that lets you share files wirelessly with nearby devices. To use AirDrop, click on the AirDrop icon in the Finder sidebar. Here, you can select the device you want to share files with and drag and drop the files you want to share. This is a quick and easy way to share files without having to use email or other file-sharing methods.
Use the built-in screenshot tool:
Press Command + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot of the entire screen, or press Command + Shift + 4 to select a specific area to capture.
The built-in screenshot tool in macOS is a quick and easy way to capture screenshots of your screen. To use the screenshot tool, press Command + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot of the entire screen, or press Command + Shift + 4 to select a specific area to capture. You can also press Command + Shift + 5 to access additional screenshot options, such as recording a video of your screen.
Use Siri to automate tasks:
Use Siri to create reminders, send messages, make phone calls, and more.
Siri is a voice-activated personal assistant built into macOS that can help you automate tasks and streamline your workflow. To use Siri, click on the Siri icon in the menu bar or press the Siri keyboard shortcut (by default, it’s the Function key twice). You can then use Siri to create reminders, send messages, make phone calls, and more. This can be a great way to save time and increase productivity.
Use the built-in screenshot tool:
Press Command + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot of the entire screen, or press Command + Shift + 4 to select a specific area to capture.
The built-in screenshot tool in macOS is a quick and easy way to capture screenshots of your screen. And it is on of the best macOS Tips. To use the screenshot tool, press Command + Shift + 3 to take a screenshot of the entire screen, or press Command + Shift + 4 to select a specific area to capture. You can also press Command + Shift + 5 to access additional screenshot options, such as recording a video of your screen.
Use Siri to automate tasks:
Use Siri to create reminders, send messages, make phone calls, and more.
Siri is a voice-activated personal assistant built into macOS that can help you automate tasks and streamline your workflow. To use Siri, click on the Siri icon in the menu bar or press the Siri keyboard shortcut (by default, it’s the Function key twice). You can then use Siri to create reminders, send messages, make phone calls, and more. This can be a great way to save time and increase productivity.
Summary:
In conclusion, these 20 macOS tips can help make your life easier and more productive. By using keyboard shortcuts, optimizing your settings, and taking advantage of built-in tools and utilities, you can streamline your workflow, save time, and get more done. Whether you’re a professional or a casual user, these tips can help you get the most out of your Mac and make your computing experience more enjoyable.
By customizing your Dock, using Spotlight to search for files, and managing your system resources with Activity Monitor, you can keep your desktop clutter-free and improve system performance. Using Siri to automate tasks, AirDrop to share files wirelessly, and the built-in screenshot tool to capture images and videos can help you work more efficiently and effectively.
Ultimately, the key to getting the most out of your Mac is to explore its features and tools and find the ones that work best for you. With these 20 tips as a starting point, you can discover new ways to optimize your workflow, enhance your productivity, and make your life easier.