15 hacks for MacBook Professional to save lots of hours each week: A 2026 information

Key takeaways

• Grasp keyboard shortcuts to realize sooner command activation in comparison with menu navigation
• Use native macOS options like Highlight Search, Mission Management, and Focus mode earlier than including third-party instruments
• macOS Sequoia’s built-in window tiling eliminates the necessity for third-party window managers for many customers
• Apple Continuity options like Common Management and iPhone Mirroring create seamless cross-device workflows
• Superhuman Mail can rework the way you deal with electronic mail in your Mac

Image a typical morning for somebody invested within the Apple ecosystem. After a fast stroll with their Apple Watch monitoring steps, they seize their iPad to learn the information over espresso. Then it is time to energy up the MacBook Professional and get to work. That is 4 Apple gadgets earlier than 8 AM. 

By day’s finish, between work, exercises, and studying, many customers may spend 10+ hours on Apple gadgets. This is the reason hacks for MacBook Professional could be such time savers. Mac deployments ship a 186% ROI over 5 years, with IT staff managing twice as many Mac gadgets versus PCs. 

Beneath, we cowl 15 helpful MacBook hacks and methods you can begin utilizing instantly.

What are hacks for MacBook Professional?

Hacks for MacBook Professional are suggestions, shortcuts, and methods that assist customers work extra effectively on their Mac computer systems. These embrace keyboard shortcuts that pace up frequent instructions, native macOS options that many customers overlook, trackpad gestures that streamline navigation, and third-party functions designed to reinforce productiveness. 

Whereas the time period “hack” usually suggests advanced technical workarounds, most MacBook productiveness hacks are simple optimizations constructed into the working system or accessible via trusted software program.

Important keyboard shortcuts for MacBook Professional

Mac gadgets include many productiveness hacks in-built, however even longtime customers do not at all times leverage these native options absolutely. Keyboard shortcuts stay one of the efficient MacBook suggestions and methods for learners and energy customers alike.

System and utility administration:

• Command + House: Opens Highlight Search (quickest methodology to launch apps and find recordsdata)
• Command + Tab: Switches between open functions
• Command + ` (backtick): Cycles via home windows inside present utility
• Command + Q: Utterly quits utility and frees system assets
• Command + H: Hides entrance utility’s home windows with out quitting
• Possibility + Command + Esc: Opens Power Give up dialog for unresponsive apps
• Shift + Command + 5: Opens screenshot and display recording toolbar

Navigation and management:

• Management + Up Arrow: Opens Mission Management (view all home windows and digital desktops)
• Management + Left/Proper Arrow: Switches between digital desktops (Areas)

You’ll be able to view and customise your Mac keyboard shortcuts by going to System Settings, then Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts. This offers you entry to the entire checklist of customizable shortcuts throughout functions and system features.

Important trackpad gestures:

The superior, customizable trackpad on Mac computer systems is a strong productiveness device. Head to System Settings, then Trackpad to configure gestures together with two-finger scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, four-finger swipe navigation for Mission Management, and three-finger faucet for fast lookup. 

For superior workflows, allow three-finger drag via System Settings, then Accessibility, then Pointer Management, then Trackpad Choices.

Highlight Search and Mission Management

Highlight Search is a helpful device constructed into macOS for rapidly looking paperwork, functions, downloads, and extra. Press Command + House bar and begin typing the identify or description of no matter you want. For a job like pulling up the calculator, Highlight permits you to take action rapidly with out your arms leaving the keyboard. Sort “calc,” hit enter, and sort your equation.

Mission Management enables you to see all open home windows on one display, making it simple to change between home windows or functions. Mission Management is especially highly effective when paired with personalized trackpad gestures, letting you create a number of Areas and drag home windows between them effortlessly. Entry it rapidly with Management + Up Arrow or swipe up with 4 fingers in your trackpad.

Native window tiling in macOS Sequoia

One of the vital important productiveness additions in macOS Sequoia is built-in window tiling. Apple’s announcement highlights this characteristic supplies native tiling capabilities that cut back dependency on third-party instruments like Rectangle or Magnet for many customers.

Here is methods to use it:

• Drag home windows to display edges for automated tiling
• Hover over the inexperienced window button to entry format choices (half-screen, quarter-screen)
• Use keyboard shortcuts for all tiling operations
• Customise margins between tiled home windows in System Settings

Understanding window buttons can be important if you happen to’re fascinated by cool hacks for the MacBook Professional. The pink button closes the window however does not give up the app. The yellow button minimizes to the dock. The inexperienced button prompts window tiling in macOS Sequoia, revealing further layouts if you hover over it. Double-clicking the highest bar mechanically makes a window full-size.

Display screen actual property and screenshots

The quantity of display area relies upon closely in your gadget. MacBook Air customers would possibly want for extra space, whereas iMac customers hardly ever complain.

• Sidecar for iPad as second show: Sidecar lets you use your iPad as a secondary show, extending your workspace wirelessly. Allow it via System Settings, then Shows, and choose your iPad.
• iPhone Mirroring: With macOS Sequoia, you possibly can management your iPhone straight out of your Mac for seamless gadget administration.
• Screenshot administration: The default saves screenshots to the desktop, however this creates litter. Use Command + Shift + 5 to open the screenshot toolbar, click on “Choices,” and choose a distinct folder. Or press Shift + Command + 4 to repeat a screenshot on to your clipboard.

Focus mode and Apple Intelligence

Focus is a notification administration mode accessible throughout Apple gadgets that gives granular management over which notifications you obtain and when. Entry Focus settings via System Settings or Management Heart. 

Constructed-in choices embrace Do Not Disturb, Work, Private, and Sleep modes, every absolutely customizable. You’ll be able to create customized Focus modes and set automated triggers based mostly on time, location, or app.

macOS Sequoia and later variations embrace Apple Intelligence, offering on-device AI help whereas sustaining privateness. Writing Instruments can be found system-wide to rewrite textual content for various audiences, proofread your writing, and summarize lengthy paperwork or emails into key factors.

Apple Continuity options

For professionals deeply invested within the Apple ecosystem, Continuity options supply highly effective productiveness features.

• Common Management enables you to management a number of Mac and iPad gadgets utilizing a single keyboard, mouse, or trackpad. Apple Help paperwork seamless pointer motion throughout screens and direct content material drag-and-drop between gadgets. Necessities embrace Mac fashions from 2016 or later operating macOS Monterey 12.4+, iPad operating iPadOS 15.4+, identical Apple ID with two-factor authentication, and gadgets inside 30 ft with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled.
• iPhone Mirroring allows full wi-fi management of your iPhone out of your Mac. You’ll be able to management your iPhone utilizing your Mac’s keyboard and trackpad, drag and drop recordsdata between gadgets, and look at and reply to iPhone notifications on Mac.
• Continuity Digicam lets your iPhone function a high-quality webcam. Apple’s Digicam information highlights options together with Heart Stage for automated body centering, Desk View for simultaneous face and workspace show, and Studio Mild for enhanced facial lighting.
• Handoff enables you to begin duties on one gadget and proceed on one other. Apple’s documentation explains supported apps embrace Safari, Mail, Maps, Reminders, Calendar, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.

Sizzling Corners for fast actions

Sizzling Corners allow you to set off actions by transferring your cursor to any nook of the display. Go to System Settings, then Desktop & Dock, then scroll to Sizzling Corners. Assign every nook to actions like beginning the display saver, locking the display, launching Mission Management, or exhibiting the desktop.

Common setups embrace:

• Prime-left: Mission Management for fast window overview
• Prime-right: Desktop to entry recordsdata immediately
• Backside-left: Lock Display screen when stepping away
• Backside-right: Fast Word for capturing ideas

Maintain modifier keys (Command, Shift, Possibility, or Management) whereas setting a Sizzling Nook to stop unintended triggers. This requires holding that key whereas transferring to the nook.

Fast Search for on the spot file previews

Press the spacebar whereas any file is chosen in Finder to immediately preview it with out opening an utility. Fast Look works with paperwork, photographs, movies, audio recordsdata, and PDFs. Navigate via a number of chosen recordsdata utilizing arrow keys whereas in Fast Look mode.

Superior Fast Look shortcuts embrace:

• Possibility + Spacebar: Opens Fast Look in full-screen mode
• Command + Y: Various Fast Look activation
• Inside Fast Look: Use arrow keys to cycle via a number of chosen recordsdata

Fast Look additionally helps markup. Whereas previewing a picture or PDF, click on the markup icon to annotate, signal, or crop with out opening a separate utility.

Finder customization and navigation

Finder turns into considerably extra highly effective with just a few changes. Open Finder, then go to View, then Present Path Bar to see the total file path on the backside of each window. Allow View, then Present Standing Bar to see merchandise counts and accessible storage.

Important Finder keyboard shortcuts:

• Command + Shift + G: Go to any folder by typing its path
• Command + Shift + H: Leap to House folder
• Command + Shift + D: Leap to Desktop
• Command + Shift + A: Leap to Functions
• Command + 1/2/3/4: Swap between icon, checklist, column, and gallery views
• Command + Delete: Transfer chosen gadgets to Trash

Create customized toolbar shortcuts by right-clicking the Finder toolbar and deciding on Customise Toolbar. Drag frequently-used folders or functions straight into the toolbar for one-click entry.

Textual content substitute for sooner typing

macOS contains system-wide textual content substitute that works throughout all functions. Go to System Settings, then Keyboard, then Textual content Replacements. Create shortcuts that increase into longer phrases, akin to typing “eml” to provide your full electronic mail deal with or “addr” in your full mailing deal with.

Helpful textual content substitute concepts:

• Frequent electronic mail responses and greetings
• Incessantly typed technical phrases or product names
• Date codecs or signature blocks
• Incessantly misspelled phrases with their corrections

Textual content replacements sync throughout all Apple gadgets signed into the identical iCloud account, so shortcuts created in your MacBook Professional additionally work in your iPhone and iPad.

Stage Supervisor for organized multitasking

Stage Supervisor, launched in macOS Ventura, gives an alternative choice to conventional window administration. Allow it via Management Heart or System Settings, then Desktop & Dock, then Stage Supervisor. Energetic home windows keep centered whereas different apps stack on the left aspect of the display as thumbnails.

Stage Supervisor works nicely for workflows involving frequent app switching. Click on any thumbnail to deliver that app ahead, or drag home windows between the middle stage and the aspect. Mix Stage Supervisor with Areas to create separate work environments for various initiatives or contexts.

Automator and Shortcuts for repetitive duties

macOS contains two automation instruments: Automator (legacy) and Shortcuts (newer, extra highly effective). Each allow you to create customized workflows that run with a single click on or keyboard shortcut.

Sensible automation examples:

• Resize and rename batches of photographs
• Convert file codecs mechanically
• Create templated folders for brand spanking new initiatives
• Ship pre-written emails at scheduled instances
• Extract textual content from photographs utilizing OCR

Entry Shortcuts via the Functions folder or Highlight. Create workflows utilizing drag-and-drop actions, then assign keyboard shortcuts via System Settings, then Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts, then Companies.

Terminal instructions for energy customers

Terminal supplies direct entry to macOS’s Unix basis. A couple of easy instructions unlock options not accessible via the graphical interface.

Helpful Terminal instructions:

• defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Photos/Screenshots && killall SystemUIServer — Adjustments screenshot save location
• defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true && killall Finder — Reveals hidden recordsdata in Finder
• caffeinate -t 3600 — Prevents sleep for one hour (helpful throughout lengthy downloads)
• sudo purge — Clears inactive RAM when the system feels sluggish

At all times analysis Terminal instructions earlier than operating them. The defaults write instructions modify system preferences, whereas sudo instructions require administrator privileges.

Break up View for side-by-side work

Break up View locations two functions aspect by aspect in full-screen mode, eliminating distractions from different home windows. Hover over the inexperienced window button and choose Tile Window to Left of Display screen or Tile Window to Proper of Display screen. Then choose one other utility for the other aspect.

Regulate the divider between apps by dragging it left or proper. Exit Break up View by urgent Escape or transferring the cursor to the highest of the display and clicking the inexperienced button once more.

Break up View works particularly nicely for reference work: hold analysis materials on one aspect whereas writing on the opposite, or evaluate two paperwork with out consistently switching home windows.

Superhuman Mail for keyboard-driven electronic mail

The hacks on this information share a standard theme: utilizing keyboard shortcuts and built-in options to work sooner with out reaching for the mouse. Electronic mail is the place this strategy pays off most. Professionals spend hours every day of their inbox, and each mouse click on provides friction.

Superhuman Mail was designed for keyboard-first electronic mail on Mac. Each motion has a shortcut: hit J and Ok to maneuver between messages, E to archive, R to answer, Command + Shift + I to go to your inbox. Navigate, triage, and reply with out your fingers leaving the keyboard.

For MacBook Professional customers who’ve mastered the shortcuts and gestures all through this information, Superhuman Mail extends that very same effectivity to electronic mail:

• Keyboard-first navigation: Each command accessible by way of shortcut, matching the Mac power-user workflow
• Break up Inbox: Routinely separates essential messages so that you concentrate on what issues
• On the spot Reply: AI-generated drafts in your voice, able to ship or edit
• Remind Me: Messages return to your inbox on the proper second
• Snippets: Templates with variables that personalize mechanically

In the event you’ve invested time studying Mac keyboard shortcuts, Superhuman Mail enables you to apply that very same muscle reminiscence to electronic mail.

Flip your inbox into your best productiveness device

Keyboard shortcuts, AI triage, automated comply with ups, scheduled sends

Get Began with Superhuman Mail

FAQs

What are some hidden Mac shortcuts?

Some lesser-known shortcuts embrace Command + Possibility + D to cover/present the Dock, Command + Shift + Interval to indicate hidden recordsdata in Finder, and Management + Command + House to open the emoji picker. Command + backtick cycles via home windows within the present app, and Command + comma opens preferences for any utility.

The right way to make your MacBook Professional cool?

Maintain your MacBook Professional operating cool by guaranteeing vents aren’t blocked, utilizing Exercise Monitor to shut resource-heavy apps, retaining macOS up to date, and avoiding tender surfaces that entice warmth. Think about a laptop computer stand for higher airflow, and periodically clear mud from vents with compressed air.

The right way to discover hidden issues on a MacBook Professional?

Press Command + Shift + Interval in Finder to disclose hidden recordsdata and folders. You can too use Terminal instructions like “defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true” adopted by “killall Finder” to completely present hidden recordsdata. The Library folder, usually hidden, comprises app preferences and assist recordsdata.

What are butterfly keys on a MacBook?

Butterfly keys have been a keyboard mechanism Apple utilized in MacBooks from 2015 to 2019. Named for the butterfly-shaped mechanism underneath every key, they provided a thinner profile however have been vulnerable to points with mud and particles. Apple returned to scissor-switch keyboards in 2019, now referred to as Magic Keyboard, that are extra dependable and comfy.