10 Macbook Tips and Tricks You Need to Know

 

Are you the proud owner of a Macbook? Whether you're a longtime Mac user or a newcomer to the platform, there's always something new to learn. In this article, we'll share 10 tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of your Macbook.

Use Spotlight to Find Anything

Spotlight is a powerful tool built into MacOS that allows you to search for anything on your computer. To access Spotlight, click the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner of your screen or press Command + Spacebar.

You can use Spotlight to search for files, applications, emails, contacts, and more. Just start typing your search term, and Spotlight will show you results in real-time. You can even use natural language queries, like "emails from Jane last week" or "documents modified yesterday."

Use Split View to Multitask

If you need to work on two windows at once, you can use Split View to split your screen in half. To do this, click and hold the green full-screen button on the top left of any window. Then, select the other window you want to use, and it will automatically resize to fit the other half of your screen.

You can also adjust the size of each window by dragging the divider between them. This is a great way to work on two documents side-by-side, watch a video while you work, or keep an eye on your email while you browse the web.

Customize Your Dock

The Dock is the bar of icons at the bottom of your screen, and it's a quick way to access your favorite applications. You can customize the Dock by adding or removing icons, changing its size, and more.

To add an app to the Dock, simply drag its icon from the Applications folder to the Dock. To remove an app, drag it off the Dock and release it. You can also rearrange the icons by dragging them to new positions.

To customize the Dock's size and appearance, go to System Preferences > Dock. From here, you can adjust the size of the Dock, change its position on the screen, and even turn on magnification, which makes the icons bigger when you hover over them.

Use Time Machine to Back Up Your Data

Time Machine is a built-in backup feature that makes it easy to back up your data to an external hard drive. To set up Time Machine, connect an external hard drive to your Macbook and go to System Preferences > Time Machine.

From here, you can select the external drive as your backup destination and choose which files and folders to include in your backup. Once set up, Time Machine will automatically back up your data every hour, keeping a copy of your files in case anything happens to your Macbook.

Use Siri to Control Your Macbook

Siri is a voice assistant built into MacOS that can help you perform tasks and answer questions. To activate Siri, click the Siri icon in the top right corner of your screen or press and hold the Command key and the Spacebar.

You can use Siri to control your Macbook, like opening an app or setting a reminder. You can also ask Siri questions, like "What's the weather like today?" or "How do I get to the nearest Starbucks?"

Use Preview to Edit Images and PDFs

Preview is a built-in app that allows you to view and edit images and PDFs. To open Preview, simply double-click an image or PDF file.

In Preview, you can crop, resize, and rotate images. You can also annotate PDFs with text, arrows, and other shapes. Preview even allows you to fill out PDF forms and sign documents digitally.

Use Night Shift to Reduce Eye Strain

If you spend a lot of time staring at your Macbook screen, you may experience eye strain or difficulty falling asleep at night. Night Shift is a feature built into MacOS that automatically adjusts the color temperature of your screen to reduce blue light, which can interfere with your sleep.

To turn on Night Shift, go to System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift. From here, you can set a schedule for when Night Shift should turn on and adjust the color temperature to your liking.

Use AirDrop to Share Files

AirDrop is a quick and easy way to share files between Apple devices. To use AirDrop, both devices must be running MacOS and have AirDrop turned on.

To share a file using AirDrop, simply click the Share button in the app you're using, and select AirDrop. Then, select the device you want to share the file with, and the file will be sent wirelessly.

Use Quick Look to Preview Files

Quick Look is a feature that allows you to preview files without opening them. To use Quick Look, select a file in Finder and press the Spacebar. This will bring up a preview window that shows you the contents of the file.

Quick Look works with a variety of file types, including images, videos, PDFs, and Microsoft Office documents. This is a great way to quickly view a file without waiting for the app to load.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Save Time

MacOS has a variety of keyboard shortcuts that can help you navigate your Macbook more quickly. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Command + C: Copy
• Command + V: Paste
• Command + Z: Undo
• Command + A: Select All
• Command + W: Close Window
• Command + Q: Quit Application

You can find a full list of keyboard shortcuts by going to the Help menu in any app and selecting Keyboard Shortcuts.

These 10 tips and tricks should help you get the most out of your Macbook. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone who loves technology, there's always something new to learn about MacOS. By using these tips, you can work more efficiently, stay organized, and have more fun with your Macbook.