It’s time to step up your game and unlock your Mac’s full potential. Apple’s macOS has a myriad of features that are sure to make your digital life easier, if only you knew they existed. And while advanced users may scoff at some of these tips, chances are there are a handful your average macOS user never knew existed. From customizable keyboard shortcuts to built-in screen recording, the Mac always has secret features up its sleeve.
Mac computers are known for their sleek design and user-friendly interface. However, many users may not be aware of the hidden features and functions that can enhance their Mac experience. Here are 10 secret Mac features you should use.
Advanced keyboard shortcuts
Did you know that you can use keyboard shortcuts to quickly access specific functions on your Mac? For example, pressing “Shift + Command + 3” will take a screenshot of the entire screen. This can save you time and effort when trying to capture something on the screen. You should also check out the following Mac shortcuts:
- Command + comma (,): opens the program’s settings.
- Command + left/right arrow: allows you to go back (left arrow) or forward (right arrow) in your browsing history.
- Command + Backspace: helps you move between open windows in the active program.
- Control + Command + Space: allows you to select an emoji to type in a text field.
- Command + Control + Q: immediately locks your Mac to protect it from unauthorized access.
Hidden apps
Your Mac comes with a variety of hidden apps and tools that you may not have known about. To access these apps, simply go to the “Applications” folder in the Finder, then open the “Utilities” folder.
Here you’ll find a wealth of useful tools, including the System Information app, which can provide detailed information about your Mac’s hardware and software.
Stacks
If you have a lot of files and folders on your Mac desktop, it can quickly become cluttered and difficult to navigate. This is where Stacks comes in. This feature automatically organizes your files and folders into neat piles based on type.
To use stacks, simply right-click on the desktop, go to View, and select “Use Stacks” from the context menu. You can also change how stacks are grouped by clicking on the desktop, going to View and selecting “Use Stacks”.
Do not disturb
Tired of notifications popping up on your screen all the time? The Do Not Disturb feature can help. When enabled, this feature will mute all alerts and notifications on your Mac, so you can focus on your work without interruption.
To enable Do Not Disturb, press the Option key on your keyboard and click the Notification Center icon. Follow the same steps to disable it.
Screenshots
Taking screenshots on your Mac is easy with the built-in Grab app. This app allows you to capture a specific area of the screen, a window or the entire screen. To access Grab, go to the “Applications” folder in the Finder and open the “Utilities” folder. From here, you can launch the Grab app and use its various tools to capture and save your screenshots.
For Mac computers running macOS Mojave and later, the Screenshot app replaces Grab. This new tool offers additional keyboard shortcuts to make your screenshots much easier. Here are some of the shortcuts you can use:
- CMD+Shift+3: takes a screenshot of the entire screen.
- CMD+Shift+4: allows you to select an area for the image.
- CMD+Shift+4+Space: keys to switch area selection to window selection.
- CMD+Shift+6: on MacBook Pros will help screen Touch Bar.
Split view
If you often find yourself working with multiple apps and windows at the same time, the Split View feature can be a lifesaver. This feature allows you to split the screen in two, so you can see and work with two apps side by side.
To use split view, click and hold the green “Full Screen” button in the top-left corner of an app window, then select “Tile window on left screen” or “Tile window on right screen” from the context Menu.
Dictation
Don’t feel like writing? You can use the dictation feature on your Mac to convert your spoken words into text. The Mac’s dictation feature allows users to enter text by speaking into the microphone. Follow the steps below to enable the dictation feature.
To use dictation, click Edit > Start Dictation. Click the microphone icon to start and pause dictation.
Customizable keyboard shortcuts
Mac’s customizable keyboard shortcuts allow users to assign specific keys or key combinations to perform specific actions or functions. This can be useful for quick access to frequently used actions or to improve productivity.
You can set up your keyboard shortcuts in your Mac’s System Preferences.
Built-in screen recording
The QuickTime Player app on Mac is a versatile media player that also includes a screen recording feature.
This feature allows you to record video and audio of your on-screen activity, including on-screen actions, gestures, and audio from your computer’s microphone.
Mac’s Markup tool allows users to annotate and edit images and PDF documents by adding text, shapes, and other graphic elements. These tools can be accessed from various apps on your Mac, including Preview, Email, and Photos.
