Macs are packed with features and designed for a prolonged lifespan. The features inbuilt in the MacOS are used for convenience and productivity. Even avid users are unaware of many features of this operating system. The developer team of Apple includes such features and upgrades the list of productive features in every version of the operating system.
You can also find hacks and applications to use for performing particular operations more efficiently. Here is a list of hidden Mac features you should know to make your system more useful and productive.
Six hidden Mac features
- Folder merger
Imagine you have created multiple folders with the same kind of content. It happens when you are busy doing something and want to categorize files. When the job is done, you might need to merge the folders and form a conglomerate folder. Well, Mac allows you to drag and merge folders easily.
When you click, hold, and drag a folder and leave it on another, a command box will pop up asking you whether you want to merge both of them or not. If you have done it accidentally, you can press the Stop option. You can also choose the ‘Replace All’ option to replace items with similar names in the merged folder.
- Record screen with audio
Screen recording is an excellent feature you can use on a Mac. The default application QuickTime Player can ideally be used to record the screen. Thus, whatever you are doing on the screen will be recorded. In addition, you can later use the default microphone feature to record your audio along with the video playing on the desktop to synchronize easily.
These days, only recording a screen with audio might not be a supportive feature the users need. Therefore, when you need to record your screen, record voice overs, and edit the audiovisual properties of a file, you will need an advanced set of tools. To find out which application is ideal for your work and how to use it, visit https://setapp.com/.
- Create a Preview Signature
You can easily add a signature to any document you process in Mac. All you need is Preview, the default app, and follow the path mentioned below.
- Select and open the Annotations toolbar in Preview
- Choose the Signature
- Go for Create Signature from Built-in iSight
- A set of onscreen instructions will pop up
- Follow these instructions, create and save your signature on the system
You can use this signature file to sign a document on Mail App and Preview.
- Spotlight
Spotlight is a native application provided by MacOS offering a versatile platform to find documents, emails, applications, folders, files, etc. Use Spotlight for doing calculations as well. It can serve as a mini-personal assistant in your Mac system.
By using Siri, you can activate voice commands and let the virtual assistant take over. Incorporating the power of voice search and command, you can open any file, search anything, and get news reports, weather updates, etc, without even using the keyboard for typing. All you have to do is to launch Spotlight by pressing and holding Command + Space. You will be astonished to know that this Spotlight window can be adjusted anywhere on the desktop according to your convenience.
- Voice typing or speech-to-text
Are you tired of typing long emails or big-sized documents? Worry no more as you can use the voice typing feature on your Mac system. Dictation typing is a unique feature that most writers and professionals use.
All you have to do is to press the Function (Fn) key twice and start dictating. A microphone icon will appear on the screen to notify that the voice typing feature is on. You can click the Done option right below the Microphone icon and end the process. Use the dictated file any way you want.
- Split View
When you have to use two applications simultaneously, you can segregate your desktop screen vertically into two small screens. This feature is available in macOS Catalina. Take your cursor to the upper left corner and hover it. Click on the green full-screen option to let options appear. For example, you can choose ‘Tile Window to left of Screen’ or ‘Tile Window to Right of Screen’. Adjust your screen according to your requirements.
You can directly hold the full-screen button for macOS X El Capitan and later versions and drag a window to the right or left to adjust as a tile. When you are done, press the Esc key to remove the tiles and bring your default desktop screen back.
Wrapping up
These are six impressive hidden features of macOS you can use to make your work easier and your day more productive. Check the MacOS version you are using and find these hidden treasures to use.
