How To Effectively Use Mac – 5 Quick Tips

The popularity of Macs has only been increasing, and you can notice a substantial growth in their sales. If you have just switched from Windows to Apple’s operating system, there are a number of tips and shortcuts that you should be well acquainted with in order to simplify your workflows.

When I was new to Mac, there were numerous tricks that I somehow overlooked. Now when I look at those, I realize how easy it has become for me to work with my Mac effectively and streamline all the work.

If you are interested to know these tips and master your Mac, this article is just for you. With this easy-to-follow guide, I have attempted to give you an insight into the Top 5 tips that you should not miss out on if you own a Mac. Let’s check these out!

5 Tips To Effectively Use Mac

1. Clean up

If you want your Mac to run faster and more effectively, cleaning and optimizing it becomes essential. My first tip would be to manage your files and clear the clutter by getting rid of junk files and temporary trash data.

Surprisingly, Mac has some unexpected and hidden spots where these junk files may hide. You can choose to delete them manually, but it is more complicated and there is a risk of accidentally deleting system files. The best way is to use a professional Mac system cleaning software such as Macube Cleaner to safely delete unnecessary junk files and unnecessary cache files. If a Mac computer is used for more than a year, most people have to face a problem: other storage takes up more and more space. You need also to know how to delete other storage on Mac.

It is essential to identify these junk spots on Mac and get rid of them for improved performance.

If you have a messy desktop that needs to be organized, you can simply right-click and tap on “stacks” to get everything arranged by file type automatically. If you wish to get rid of a file instantly without making it go through the trash can, select that file and choose option + command and delete at the same time.

2. Screenshot a specific part

If you don’t wish to capture the entire screen of your Mac while taking a screenshot, a lesser-known option is that you can take a snapshot of a particular part. All you have to do is drag and select the part that you wish to capture and press command + shift + 4.

Once you release the box, your snapshot will automatically be saved to your desktop. However, if you wish to capture the entire screen instead of a part, you can simply use the keys command + shift + 3. Surprisingly, you can even record your screen or a specific part of it by pressing command + shift + 5.

3. Recover passwords

If you forget any passwords or login information of your Mac’s programs and even of other websites you may have visited, you can easily recover them. You do not have to worry as these details are encrypted and are only made visible to the user they apply to.

All these login details are stored in your Mac’s keychain to let you access them in case you forget any of those, provided that you know the password of your user account. This information is also asked whenever you make any security changes on your Mac or get a new program installed.

All you have to do is open the finder window and go to applications. Once done, you should be able to find a folder with the name utilities. Within utilities, open a program named keychain access.

This will give you access to all your login information stored on your Mac. You can simply use the search tool available at the top right corner of the screen and search for the file you are looking for. You can also sort all the files by name or type. You will be asked about your username and password once you decide which login you wish to view.

4. Switch on your Mac silently

If you are in a library or any place where being silent is necessary, you may find the iconic chime of a Mac very inconvenient and something that you would rather avoid. Fortunately, you can be saved from this sound when you start up your Mac and switch it on silently. All you have to do is press down the mute key at the startup.

Even the volume keys on your keyboard can get annoying if you are trying to stay as silent as possible. Wherever you press them, they tend to make sounds, even while you are trying to silence your Mac. you may not know this, but you can actually silence those volume keys if you press shift while using them.

5. Sign documents

If you have been digitally sent a document for your signatures and you own a Mac, you do not have to print the file, sign it and scan it back. In the purview app of your Mac, you can effortlessly sign any PDF.

All you have to do is select the show markup toolbar button that looks like an icon of a marker or pen. A menu will be opened underneath, where you are required to click on the icon that appears like a signature.

Then, select trackpad to add your signatures with your finger. You can also sign on a white piece of paper and open the camera to take its picture with the webcam. You can simply hold the paper with your signature up to your Mac’s webcam and capture it. You may even save your signature for future use as well.

Conclusion

From recovering forgotten passwords to digitally adding your signature to documents, there are innumerable features and tricks that you should be familiar with if you own a Mac. These tips will not just help you use your Mac effectively but also simplify your work for an enhanced experience.

Even those who have been avid users of Mac are unaware of a lot of tricks that enhance your overall experience and make it more productive. Hopefully, through this guide, you will have come to know about these hidden features and shortcuts, which will surely assist you in mastering your Mac. By inculcating these tips in your daily work, you can make the most out of your Mac.