Mac computers continue to grow in popularity. This makes sense, consider that Apple’s devices are easy to use, simple, and safe. But if you own a MacBook, then there’s a chance that you’re not really getting as much out of it as you could be.
Understanding just the basics of your MacBook should be enough to get you surfing the web and making new documents. But only by knowing some helpful MacBook tips and tricks can you really take advantage of all that your machine has to offer.
Are you interested in learning more? If you are, then continue reading and we’ll walk you through some of the most important MacBook tips and tricks that you need to know about!
Dark Mode
Since the El Capitan software came out in 2015, Mac users have been able to switch to a dark menu bar. And we’ve also been able to use Night Shift to tone down the computer’s blue light in favor of a warmer light. That’s been available since macOS Sierra.
But now with Mojave, users can switch to a much darker and totally redesigned interface. Switching to this interface at night could help if you’re having trouble sleeping because warmer light is easier on the eyes.
In order to turn on Dark Mode in Mojave, you first need to go to System Preferences. Then, click on the General tab and then select Dark.
After you’ve selected this setting for your computer, your screen is going to take on a much darker look. Some apps might even sport a black background with white type.
It should be noted that the Dark Mode appearance isn’t going to be universal throughout your Mac. For example, a document in Pages is still going to be white with black text by default. And your Safari web pages are going to be as bright as they naturally are.
But if you were to use Reader mode in Safari, then you’ll be able to see a darker version of the browser.
Don’t have Mojave? Don’t worry! You can still switch to Night Shift most likely.
Night Shift has been around since Sierra and makes it possible for you to tone down your display. If you utilize Night Shift, then your computer’s display will adjust colors at night so that it uses less blue.
To turn this on, go to System Preferences and then click on Displays. Click on the Night Shift tab. You can now choose to schedule when Night Shift comes on.
Create a Keyboard Shortcut for Anything You Want
You probably already know that the MacBook keyboard comes with different short cuts. For example, you can press Command + C in order to copy something. And you can use Command + V in order to paste it.
However, you might not have known that you can actually create your own shortcuts to access whatever menu options you choose.
To do this, first, go to System Preferences. Then click on Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts. Then, click the + icon.
A box is going to pop up and it will let you pick the app that you want. You will also get to choose the name of the menu command and also the keyboard shortcut that’s going to access it.
When you’re done with all of that, you just have to tap Add and you’re all finished.
Free Up Memory
When your MacBook is starting to lag, freeze, or shut down on its own, you might have to free up memory on Mac. You never want to use up all of your MacBook’s memory because it will likely start to experience problems.
There are several ways in which you can free up storage on your computer. The first thing you can do is go through all of your files and delete any files or apps that you no longer need.
Just make sure that you empty your trash after you delete your files. Remember, simply deleting a file isn’t going to clear up memory. Anything that’s deleted will just go into the trash bin.
You need to actually click Empty Trash in order to clear up space.
In order to see which apps are using up the most memory, go to Activity Monitor. Then, in order to take care of those apps, just click the X icon that’s on the top left of the screen.
Do Calculations and Currency Conversions in Spotlight
One of the most underrated features on the MacBook is Spotlight. Not only will Spotlight bring up any file or app that you want as soon as you type it in, but it can also do calculations and currency conversions.
In order to open Spotlight, click on the magnifying glass at the top left corner of the menu bar. To make a calculation, just type in what you want to calculate.
In order to convert currency, type in the amount that you want to convert along with its currency symbol. The search results will automatically bring up a variety of conversion rates.
The Importance of Knowing MacBook Tips and Tricks
As we can see, there are several MacBook tips and tricks that may not come naturally to many Mac users. But hopefully, now that you know about them, you can make even more use out your computer and have a more productive and enjoyable time.
Are you looking for other helpful tech articles like this one? If so, then make sure to check out the rest of our blog today!