Whether you ’re new to the Mac or a longtime exploiter , you want to get the most out of macOS . It has a ton of feature , but even someone who ’s been using it for old age blank out about many of them or did n’t realize they ’re there to begin with . Besides macOS ’s features , there are a few use you should learn that will assist you master your Mac and keep it break away — and lasting — as long as possible .
Here are a few tips I find the most useful in making it feel like I ’m getting the most out of the Mac daily . We have several more tips onsetting up your new Mac , becoming a great power user , protecting your Mac , mastering Safari , keyboard shortcuts , andeasy ways to facilitate you navigate macOS .
Mission Control: Survive a messy desktop
We all do it : keep dozens of windows open at the same time . To facilitate voyage the mess , macOS has a feature calledMission Control , which leave an uncluttered view of your desktop so you’re able to see all of your open windows . But most people do n’t apply it .
There are several ways to launch Mission Control , so many in fact , that you ’ve probably done it by fortuity once or twice : press the F3 key on your keyboard , purloin up with three fingers on a trackpad , intercept with two fingers on a Magic Mouse , or drag any windowpane to the top of the screen . Whichever one you choose will do the same matter : sort all your open windows so you’re able to see each one . From here , you could pick the one you require .
But Mission Control is more herculean than just a background organizer . you may also create extra desktops beyond your main one to organize your oeuvre and keep your system of rules focused on the master apps you involve at a specific time . When in the Mission Control interface , you ’ll see a “ Desktop ” bar at the top that shows your current view . cluck the “ + ” push at the far right , and a new desktop will come along , let you get behind window from your current desktop to the new one .
Mission Control brings clarity to a messy Desktop.
Mission Control bring lucidness to a mussy Desktop .
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Once you ’ve get the basics of Mission Control down , you’re able to do more with it within the Dock itself . If you ensure - press an app icon , a come out - up carte appears and in theOptionssection , there is anAssign Tooption where you could mark the app to open on a particular Desktop . Another handy tip : move your pointer over an app in the Dock , and then gently double - tap with two fingers on a trackpad or Magic Mouse to take that app ’s windowpane to the cutting edge .
Mission Control brings clarity to a messy Desktop.
Low Power Mode: Survive a long day
Your MacBook has nifty battery life sentence , but when act remotely for longer than usual , Lower Power Mode can help extend it even further . In Low Power Mode , the MacBook ’s filmdom cleverness is mechanically turned down a picayune , the organisation clock hurrying is a little scurvy , and overall power pulmonary tuberculosis is reduced . On the MacBook Pro , the fan is turned down a bit as well .
To rick on Low Power Mode , go to System preferences > Batteryand tap the pop - up menu for Low Power Mode . you could set it to Always , Only on Battery , or Only on Power Adapter . you may also set it to Never if you absolutely ca n’t give performance – you might do this if , say , you schedule demand for maximal productivity .
If you ’re shy about the event of Low Power Mode on operation and your employment , fiddle around with it a bit . You may find the difference with it on or off imperceptible in your situation .
Low Power Mode is crucial when using an unplugged MacBook.
Low Power Mode is all-important when using an unplugged MacBook .
The Battery scheme Setting has other option you should learn . tap the “ i ” button for Battery Health and you’re able to see your MacBook ’s barrage condition and the maximum charge it can hold . At the bottom of the main window , press theOptionsbutton , and you ’ll find more configurations to set that involve your battery life . The more you live about your stamp battery ’s health , the well off your MacBook will be .
Universal Clipboard: Survive multi-device sharing
We ’ve all been there — a liaison , school text snippet , or image is on our iPhone and we need it on our Mac . So you open Mail , write an electronic mail to yourself , place it to your Mac , wait , open it , imitate what you need , and guide back to the app you were using to glue it in . WithUniversal Clipboard , that takes just a second . It ’s a fantastic , magic tool that allows you to ignore / copy and paste between your Macs , iPhones , and iPads . On macOS , there is no Universal Clipboard setting , but you do ask to do the chase :
Once that ’s done , you’re able to copy text and image on your iPhone and glue them on your Mac and vice versa . I use it forever , and every metre it feels like illusion . prove it once and you ’ll enquire how you were able to get anything done promptly before .
Other helpful Apple ecosystem features includeiCloud Desktop and Documents , Universal Control and Sidecar , iPhone mirroring , andunlock a Mac with an Apple Watch . Using these features not only do your Mac more productive , but they help make it find like you ’re getting the most out of your devices .
Many iPhone/iPad games can be loaded and played on a Mac.
iPhone and iPad apps: Survive productivity-killing distractions
You might not realise it , but any Mac released since the M1 arrived in 2020 canrun apps made for the iPhone and iPad . There is n’t an obvious “ iPhone & iPad Apps ” section in the App Store , however , so to find these apps , you have to research and them on the outcome page , sink in the iPhone & iPad Apps button near the top .
Why would you need to do this ? While many iPhone and iPad apps have a Mac comrade , others do n’t or have a entanglement - free-base choice . But more importantly , when you need to piece up your iPhone to do something , it can run to lots of distractions that can zap your productivity .
You wo n’t find every app on there — it ’s up to the developer to decide if they want to make their iPhone app available on the Mac — but many of your favorite iPhone apps will likely be available . And if you ca n’t find something , you may always resort toiPhone Mirroring , a macOS Sequoia feature that lets you mirror your iPhone screen right on your Mac . So you could keep your sound in your pocket or bag and keep your eye on your work .
Many iPhone / iPad games can be loaded and play on a Mac .
Antivirus: Survive malware attacks
If you ’re an old - timekeeper like me , you remember when the Mac community would express joy at the idea of using antivirus software . Maybe that was because Macs are more inviolable than Windows personal computer , or because Macs were n’t as democratic , they are n’t targets for attack . Whatever the reason , it was uncommon that macOS fell dupe to a virus .
time have changed . While there are still way more Windows personal computer in use , the Mac has become more of a target for viruses , malware , and other attacks . Apple has security features in macOS such as Gatekeeper and XProtect , but hackers are making more of an effort to go around these measures . That ’s where antivirus software package comes in .
Intego Mac Internet Security X9
If you download anything outside the Mac App Store or receive files from other people , an antivirus suite of software system will protect your Mac . We have aroundup of the best antivirus softwareto supporter you come up one that ’s right for you . Our top pick right on now isIntego Mac Internet Security X9 , which require a subscription , but we also have recommendations for spare pick as well .
macOS Recovery: Survive total disaster
If your Mac lock up or wo n’t start , there ’s a atomic mode called macOS Recovery ( also called Recovery Mode ) that can be used to fasten or fully restore your Mac . If things get so bad that you need to erase the inauguration drive and reinstall macOS , you’re able to do it in macOS Recovery as well .
On M - serial publication Macs , you may get into macOS Recovery by powering up a Mac and withstand down the power button as it wrench on . ( On Intel Macs , throw down Command+R. ) carry on to hold down the button(s ) until you see “ consignment startup choice ” or an Options icon . get through the Options icon to proceed into macOS Recovery .
In macOS Recovery , you have several tools at your disposal . We have acomplete templet to using macOS Recoveryto service with what ail your Mac . you’re able to do things like reformat your Mac ’s drive , reinstall macOS , and get at Safari , Disk Utility , or Terminal . Try it out to get familiar with the port — you’re able to get back to your Mac ’s regular user interface by restarting the Mac .
Think of macOS Recovery as a flare in an emergency roadside kit . If you ’re favorable , you never have to apply it , but it helps to know how it act in example you end up in a situation that predict for it .
