There are so many hidden gems on a Mac. If you’ve been using a Mac forever or just started yesterday, there should be something below that will help you be more productive, efficient or tickle your fancy.


Tips

First I’ll give you several tips about navigating your Mac:

  • Finder Basics:
    • Learn how to navigate Finder, which is the file management system on your Mac. Understand folders, files, and how to organize your documents.

 

  • Customize Sidebar in Finder:
    • In Finder, you can customize the sidebar by going to Finder > Preferences > Sidebar. This allows you to add or remove specific folders for easy access.

 

  • Dock Customization:
    • The Dock at the bottom of the screen holds your most-used applications. You can customize it by adding or removing apps for easy access. You can even move it to the side of the screen if you prefer.
  • System Preferences:
    • Explore the System Preferences (gear icon) to customize various settings such as display, keyboard, mouse, and trackpad. Adjust settings to suit your preferences.
  • Updates:
    • Keep your Mac and applications up to date. MacOS updates often include important security patches and performance improvements. Use the App Store for app updates.


Tricks

Next, here are some tricks to improve efficiency on your Mac:

  • Keyboard Shortcuts:
    • Learn a few basic keyboard shortcuts like Command+C (copy), Command+V (paste), and Command+Z (undo). They can save time and make tasks easier.

 

  • Quick Preview:
    • In Finder, you can press the spacebar to quickly preview a file without opening it. This works for images, documents, and more.

 

  • Zoom In/Out:
    • To zoom in on the entire screen, press Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + 8. To zoom in on a specific area, press Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + =. This can be helpful for those with visual impairments.

 

  • Screenshots:
    • Press Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 to take a screenshot. You can then select the area you want to capture. For a screenshot of the entire screen, press Command (⌘) + Shift + 3.

 

  • Split View:
    • Work with two apps side by side in full-screen mode. Start by opening both apps, hover over the green dot (zoom button) of one app and choose whether to tile to the left or right. Once you choose, your Mac should show you the other app as an option to open on the other side. Click on it to select it, and you will be in Split View.

 

Tools

Lastly, below is a list of tools that can help you increase productivity and security on your Mac:

  • Spotlight Search:
    • Use Spotlight Search by clicking the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner. It’s a quick way to find files, launch applications, or search the web.

 

  • Time Machine Backup:
    • Set up Time Machine for automatic backups. This ensures you can recover your files if something goes wrong. Connect an external hard drive and follow the prompts in System Preferences.

 

  • Activity Monitor:
    • Activity Monitor provides a detailed overview of your Mac’s performance, including CPU, memory, energy, and network usage. It’s helpful for identifying and managing resource-intensive processes.

 

  • Troubleshooting Basics:
    • Understand how to restart your Mac, force quit unresponsive applications (Command+Option+Escape), and use Disk Utility (found in Applications > Utilities) for basic troubleshooting.

 

These tips, tricks and tools can enhance your Mac experience and make certain tasks more efficient, even if you’re not deeply familiar with technology. Remember, practice is key to becoming more comfortable with your Mac. Don’t hesitate to explore and experiment with different features to become more proficient over time.