Secret Mac Features you Cannot do Without
Macs have many secret features that can transform how you use your device. You must have stumbled across a few, but you might be unaware of the others. In this article, you’ll see some of the lesser-known Mac features compiled for convenience.
Sign in Preview
In Mac, it is easy to add a signature to any document digitally. First, open the document in Preview and click on the Annotations toolbar. Then, click on the Signature icon and select Create Signature. Follow the on-screen prompts to add a signature to your document, and then you can share the document via email. You can even use the signature for future use.
Hot Corners
You can learn keyboard shortcuts to improve your efficiency. But how many will you learn? Hot Corners is a brilliant alternative that allows users to convert the corners of the screen into shortcuts to perform specific actions.
With Hot Corners, you can assign actions to the four corners of your display. For example, it would be best to hover the mouse cursor on four corners, and the action will be automatically executed.
You can set up Hot Corners by going to System Preferences > Mission Control > clicking Hot Corners. Then, from the dropdown menu, you must select which action you want to happen when you take the mouse cursor over to one of the corners of the screen.
Type Special Keyboard Symbols
You can type Unicode characters right from the keyboard when using your Mac. For example, the copyright symbol or the trademark symbol.
If you want to see Mac special characters keyboard, you can see all the symbols by going to System Preferences > Keyboard. Then, you must check the box next to Show Keyboard and Emoji Viewers in the Menu Bar.
Virtual Desktops
Virtual Desktops or Spaces help users organize their open apps and windows into different desktop work spaces. With this, you can quickly create different spaces for different tasks. Switching between them is also fuss-free.
Press F3 on your keyboard to launch Mission Control. Then, move the cursor to the top of the screen and click the plus button to add a new desktop. Then, drag and drop app windows from here into the desktop thumbnails. You can switch between them by clicking the thumbnails.
AirDrop
AirDrop is an excellent feature that allows Mac users to share files and documents with other Apple devices quickly. It uses local Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections instead of the Internet.
You can use AirDrop by clicking on the AirDrop icon in Finder and pairing it with an AirDrop-enabled Apple device in your vicinity. You can share files by dragging and dropping them onto the AirDrop window. Then, choose the device you wish to transfer the files to. The recipient has to accept the file.
Bespoke Text Shortcuts
If you are bored of using the same text phrases over and over again, you can speed things up by using the Text Replacement feature. Click the Apple menu > click System Preferences > Keyboard > Text.
Then, click the plus button and type the text you want to replace. Confirm your choices, and then you can use the text replacements across your Mac device and apps.
Force Quit
No need to stay stuck, staring at the spinning beach ball. If an app is unresponsive or misbehaving, you can quit it by pressing Command + Option + Escape on your Mac keyboard. Then, you must choose the application from the list and click Force Quit.
Quick actions to the Touch Bar
You can use Quick Actions to automate your workflow to finish your tasks quicker. Macs have a hidden feature allowing users to add Quick Actions to the Touch Bar quickly. To do this, click the Apple menu and click System Preferences. Then, click Extensions. You must click the Touch Bar on the left panel and choose the check box next to each action you want to make available from the Touch Bar.
Then, click Customize Control Strip and drag the Quick Actions button to the bottom of your screen until it is seen on the Touch Bar. You can move it to the left or right and place it wherever you want. Once you are done, click Done, and the button will appear on the Touch Bar.
Screenshot Shortcuts
Screenshots have become part and parcel of remote working life, and it is one of the best ways to collaborate with your team. You can quickly take screenshots on your Mac by learning some keyboard shortcuts. For instance, you can take a screenshot by pressing Shift + Command + 3, which will be saved on your desktop. If you want more screenshot options and recording features, you can press Shift + Command + 5.
The Bottom Line
Knowing these hidden Mac features will take your efficiency to the next level. How many did you already know?