Apple’s Mac is a powerful beast. It has a gorgeous display, is ultra-fast, and has a long battery life to die for. Regardless of which model you’re using, they’re all optimized for best performance. But getting started might be tricky if you move to the Apple ecosystem from a different operating system environment. So, here are some tricks to help.

Create Apple ID and Mac Password

The first step to using a Mac is creating an Apple ID and a Mac password. If you are using other Apple devices, logging in with the same Apple ID and password will sync purchases and data.

As for the Mac password, it is like a credit card PIN number, and forgetting it can be a nightmare. But if you do forget it, it isn’t the end of the world. You just have to learn how to reset MacBook password. You can reset a forgotten Mac password using the Recovery mode.

On Intel-based Macs, activate this mode by turning off the computer and holding the power button + R. Wait for the loading bar to appear while your system boots to Recovery. If you have an M1 Mac, switch off your computer, hold the power button, click Options and then click Continue.

Once in Recovery mode, access Utilities in the Apple menu > select Terminal > type reset password and click Return. Head to the main hard drive and select your user account. Then, change the password and create a hint that you can recollect. Click Save.

Force Quit Apps when they’re Unresponsive

Apps becoming unresponsive on a Mac is a rare occasion, but there are times when it happens. When apps start misbehaving, you must know how to force quit them so you can get on with your day.

The keyboard shortcut for force-quitting apps is Command + Option + Escape.

Use the Quick Look Feature

On Mac, the Quick Look feature is the most used, and if you make it a habit to use this feature, you will rarely need to open files. You can see all the content of the files without opening them.

You can perform the Quick Look action by choosing the file and pressing the Spacebar. For instance, you can choose a PDF file and then press Spacebar. This quickly scans the content of the file without opening it. However, this feature has its limitations.

The preview that this feature shows you will depend on the file you want to preview. If it is an image file or a document, the feature will let you see the entire content. But if it is an eBook or a folder, you will only see superficial information like the file size and the date when it was last modified.

Once you master the Quick Look feature, it will come in handy.

Use Spotlight

Spotlight has evolved over the years, and it is no longer a simple search mechanism. You can use this tool to perform several useful functions on your Mac. For instance, Spotlight is used to perform currency conversions, unit conversions, and simple math calculations.

The mathematical calculations performed using Spotlight include addition, multiplication, subtraction, division, and more. You can also use this tool to get weather information for any city in the world. Simply type ‘weather’ and the city name. You will get the current weather condition. Moreover, you can find word definitions and perform other actions.

Memorize the Screenshot Shortcuts

Don’t get surprised because you cannot find the screenshot tool on the keyboard. macOS comes with an in-built screenshot tool, which lets you capture screenshots. Use the tool to capture screenshots of the entire screen, an app’s window, and a specific area of the screen.

You can capture the entire screen by using the Command + Shift + 3 shortcut. Press Command + Shift + 4 to take a screenshot of a selected area, and then you can drag the cursor over the area you wish to capture.

If you want to capture the screenshot of an app’s window, press Command + Shift + 4. Then, press the Spacebar, and you will find the cursor changing into a camera icon. Then, click on the app’s window you wish to capture, and the screenshot will be shared on the desktop.

If you want more screenshot options, press Command + Shift + 5. This will open the screenshot overlay tool and let you access the abovementioned features. Also, it will let you record your Mac’s screen.

The Bottom Line

These tricks will get you started on using your Mac. Memorize them, and your Mac experience will enhance instantly.

Besides these, it is essential to learn how to use Preview because it is an in-built PDF editor and also lets you sign documents digitally. Knowing how to activate Hot Corners is also a handy trick. But save these for later.