If you own a MacBook and want to know some tricks and tips that will help you make the most of your super device, then you have landed on the right page.
This blog will talk about some amazing tricks and hacks to make sure that you enjoy Mac’s features to the core! Some of the most useful or handy shortcuts or tools are easily forgotten by us. But if you know them, you would be able to enjoy your MacBook to the fullest!
- Digitally sign your documents
Since most of us are working at home during the pandemic, signing documents on your MacBook has become extremely important. It is an essential thing that you should learn right away. For this, you need to open Preview. Then you will see the Menu bar. Click on Tools > Annotate > Signature > Manage Signatures. There will be a pop-up box where you will need to create the signature.
You can now use your iPhone or Trackpad to sign. If you don’t want that, allow your MacBook’s camera to capture your signature that you have written on a piece of paper. Then, whenever there is a requirement to sign a document, you can open it in Preview. Next, click on Tools > Annotate > Signature >and then click on your signature to place it at the right position.
- Take a scrolling screenshot
You can even take a scrolling screenshot on your Mac.
To know how to screenshot and scroll on Mac, click on the article. You can either use keyboard shortcuts for it or do it with Capto! To save scrolling content, you can take the help of CleanShot X as well.
- Customize the Finder sidebar
This is yet again another easy trick that you should know. Finder is the default file browser. However, you can customize it as per your requirements to get quick access to files and apps.
If there is a folder that you use quite frequently, you can even add it to the Finder sidebar. For this, go to the folder, click and drag it over to the Sidebar.
If you want to include applications in the Sidebar, hold the Cmd key and then drag the icon over. You can even remove the items using the Sidebar tab in Finder > Preferences.
To customize the buttons that appear at the top of the Finder, click View > Customize Toolbar. You can then add or remove and rearrange the buttons as per your preferences.
- Rename groups of files in Finder
MacOS comes with a wide variety of features. However, we don’t pay heed to most of them. For this, you need to select all the files you wish to rename.
Then press Cmd + click the files and click Rename x items. You will then see a pop-up window on your screen. You can easily rename the files by replacing the current names. You can even include a name base.
Check the bottom of the pop-up window to preview how the renamed files will look.
- Use stationery pad
If you are looking for a file that can be used as a template for subsequent documents, then you can use the stationery pad. It is such an easy trick but still not followed by many.
Firstly, you need to locate the file you need to use as a template. Then control-click it and get info.
Finally, click the stationery pad checkbox from there. So every time you double click this particular file, Mac will launch a duplicate of the original for your usage. This way, you will be able to make changes without altering the template document. How cool is that?
- Use Spaces for multiple desktops
Since most of us are working from home and using MacBooks for both work and recreation, it would be a great idea to use Spaces for the same. The best part about MacOS is that it comes with many features that let you have multiple desktops.
You can keep different Windows for different purposes. For example, if you want to focus on work during your office time, it is better to keep a separate Window for your office projects. You can then switch to have fun!
To open the Spaces menu, use your four fingers to swipe up on your Trackpad.
After that, press the Mission Control button. Click the “+” icon to add a new desktop to your macOS. You can move between desktops by using your four fingers. You can click the Ctrl+Left arrow or Ctrl+Right arrow for the same. To move Windows or files, you can click and drag it to the top of your screen until the Spaces menu appears. You can then drop it on the desktop that you want to use.
- Unlock your MacBook with your Apple Watch
The entire Apple ecosystem surprises us every time we discover a new thing. You can now use your Apple Watch to unlock your MacBook.
If both the devices are signed using the same Apple ID, you can wake your MacBook by pressing any button on your watch, and it will get unlocked. To make sure that this feature works, launch System Preferences, then click on Security & Privacy.
You need to check the checkbox next to use your Apple Watch to unlock apps on your system.
So these are some of the great features that you can use on your MacBook.
To know about some of its recent launches, you can go through this article by Forbes. In this writeup, they have talked about MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini with its M1 Chip.
