MacOS: 10 tips to flex your superpowers on Mac
Unlocking the secrets of a Mac can double your screen and save you time and effort. We'll show you how.
Your Mac has powerful features under the hood. We'll show you how to unlock them.
Apple is holding a special event on Sept. 14, and while the main focus of the keynote is likely to be the iPhone 13, there's a chance Apple will talk about MacOS Monterey, the next major update for its Mac lineup. Monterey will add convenient new features to your Mac, such as the ability to copy text from any image, or AirPlay from your iPhone or iPad to your Mac.
But before you start trying to master the new features, take a step back and appreciate all that the Mac can do right now. Don't know where to start? That's OK, and also why I'm here. For example, did you know you can sign documents using the Preview app? Or have you always been curious why random app icons show up in the app dock and then disappear just as fast? I'll detail both of those features and how to use them, as well as a few others below.
By the time you're done reading this post, hopefully following along on your Mac as you go, you'll be using your Mac like a pro.
Yearly OS updates
It's far too easy to take routine software updates for granted -- they're something we expect from device makers now. Not only do software updates add new features, but they continue to optimize your computer and include important security updates as well.
Do yourself a favor and make sure you keep your Mac updated whenever a new update is released. It's perfectly fine to wait a day or two to make sure no major bugs slipped through testing undetected, but after that click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the menu bar, select System Preferences followed by Software Updates.
Apple has continued to release updates for devices that are incredibly old. Here, look at the list of Macs that will run MacOS Big Sur, the most recent operating system. (I have a 2011 iMac that was finally left behind nearly 10 years after I bought it.)
Keep your Mac updated for security fixes and new features. It doesn't cost you anything.
Customize the Control Center and the menu bar
Arguably one of the biggest interface changes Apple made to MacOS Big Sur is the addition of the Control Center to the menu bar. For those who don't own an iPhone or an iPad, Control Center is where you'll find all the, well, controls for settings like Do Not Disturb, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and display brightness on that device.
Using the Control Center is easy enough, you click on the icon, select the setting you want to change and that's it.
But here's a pro tip: If you find yourself missing quick access to any of the settings now included in the Control Center, just drag that icon out of it and place it on your Menu Bar.
For example, I frequently mess around with Bluetooth devices and have to manage what my Mac is connected to. With this trick, I can move the Bluetooth icon back to the menu bar (where it should always be, ha!) and access it with fewer clicks. The same goes for anything else in the Control Center.
When I learned about this trick my mind was blown. Seriously.
Hidden feature: Sign a document with your Mac
One of my favorite hidden MacOS features is that you can use Preview to sign documents. I use it all the time to sign documents for work or my kids' school.
The gist of it is this: Open the document you need to sign in Preview, then click on the pencil icon at the top, followed by the signature logo. You can then use your iPhone to create and save your signature, which is then added to your document.
I have a complete walkthrough you can check out if you're in need of a free tool to sign anything from a new car loan to a field trip permission slip.
Move and resize your signature while adding it to your document.
Turn your iPad into a bonus display with a couple clicks
Apple Sidecar allows you to use your iPad as an external display for your Mac. It's a completely wireless connection, and takes just a second to turn on. Your iPad will need to have iPadOS 13 or later installed, and your Mac will need MacOS Catalina or newer.
With your iPad near your Mac, you can turn on Sidecar a couple of different ways. The easiest is to go to Control Center > Display and select your iPad on your Mac. Otherwise, you can open system preferences and open the Sidecar settings.
Your iPad can either mirror your Mac's display, or act as an extended desktop, giving you another screen and more space to put windows and apps. You can even continue to use your iPad and other apps, then go back to the Sidecar view without breaking the connection. If you're going to use it for a long period of time, I suggest connecting your iPad to your Mac with a cable.
You can easily share information between your iPad and Mac.
Multitask between a Mac, iPhone, Apple Watch or iPad
Continuity is a feature you might already be using and not even realize it. The nondescript name is what Apple uses to link all of your Apple gadgets together, allowing you to pick up a task on your Mac where you left off on your iPhone. Or something as seemingly simple as taking a phone call on your Mac -- that's Continuity in action.
But perhaps my favorite and most used aspect of Continuity is Handoff. If you've ever seen an app icon appear and then disappear on the far right side of the app dock on your Mac -- that's Handoff. If you were to click that app icon, it would open whatever app you're using on your iPhone, Apple Watch or iPad on your Mac.
For example, if you're writing an email on your iPhone but want to finish it on your Mac, click the Mail app icon and the compose window will open, with your draft ready for you to finish.
I often will copy a string of text on one device, but need to paste it into a text field on another device. Continuity includes a Universal Clipboard feature, so as long as both devices are near each other, you can copy on your Mac and paste on your iPhone without doing anything special at all. Try it. It's truly awesome.
It's true. You can share your Apple-created documents just like Google docs.
Forget about Google Docs, use these built-in Mac apps
Every Mac comes with Pages, Numbers and Keynote installed out of the box. Those three apps are the Google equivalent of Docs, Sheets and Slides, or Microsoft's equivalent of Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
One of the biggest draws to Google Docs is the ability to share and collaborate in real time with fellow users using your favorite web browser. It's a handy tool, no doubt, and one I use every single day.
However, Apple's suite of apps have a collaboration tool of their own built right in, and the people you're working with don't even have to own a Mac. You can send an invite to any document by clicking on the Collaborate button and sending the invite. From there you can also set permissions, and require a password to access the link.
You can then work together on a document in real time, just like you would in Google Docs. Whoever you're working with can open the link, add their name so changes are credited and start working in the document in Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
Your iPhone is a scanner
Speaking of Apple's creativity suite, here's an oft-forgotten feature built into MacOS that makes scanning a document or importing a photo into a document a breeze.
To check if an app supports this feature, right-click in any text field and look for a section with your nearby iPhone listed. Under that section will be the option(s) supported by the app. For example, when I right-click in a Pages document, I am shown three options for my iPhone 12 Pro: Take photo, scan documents or add sketch.
Select the option that works best for you, and then unlock your iPhone or iPad. It will automatically open the proper screen based on your selection, and when you're done it will be added to your document.
Sharing a folder from your Mac takes a couple of clicks.
Create and share iCloud Drive folders with ease
Apple made it possible to share iCloud Drive folders with the launch of iOS 13 a couple of years ago. It works just like sharing a folder on Dropbox or OneDrive does, only instead of using a third-party service, you're using something that's built directly into your Mac.
I covered how to share a folder and all the caveats when the feature debuted. Make sure to check it out, especially if you're tired of paying for multiple cloud storage services.
It's true. You can install your favorite iPhone and iPad apps on your Mac
Apple's latest Mac computers all use the company's own processor, the M1. Because it's the same type of processor that powers your iPhone or iPad, and thanks to changes Apple has made to MacOS Big Sur, you can install and use the same apps you do on your phone or tablet directly on your Mac.
There are a few different ways of getting iPhone and iPad apps onto your M1 Mac, but I covered all of the details here.
iPhone and iPad apps aren't included in the default search results.
GarageBand and iMovie: Not just for professionals
Each Mac includes GarageBand and iMovie, Apple's core audio and video editing tools, respectively. It's easy to look at either app as something for professionals or creative people, and while there's some truth to that, both apps are easy to use and get started with.
I've personally used GarageBand to record podcasts and interviews, both of which have nothing to do with musical instruments. As for iMovie, I have created countless trailers using the built in scenes and tools with my kids. I used each one of those sessions as a way to teach myself how to use iMovie and edit video, back when I was doing CNET How To videos.
I admit, it's easy to get intimidated by both apps. But if you're looking to pick up a new hobby, open either one and start experimenting.
There's plenty more the Mac can do besides this list. Like the rest of the new features on Big Sur. There are several hidden features you should know, too. If you just got a Mac, make sure you set it up the right way.