Key takeaways
- Master keyboard shortcuts to achieve faster command activation compared to menu navigation
- Use native macOS features like Spotlight Search, Mission Control, and Focus mode before adding third-party tools
- macOS Sequoia's built-in window tiling eliminates the need for third-party window managers for most users
- Apple Continuity features like Universal Control and iPhone Mirroring create seamless cross-device workflows
- Superhuman Mail can transform how you handle email on your Mac
Picture a typical morning for someone invested in the Apple ecosystem. After a quick walk with their Apple Watch tracking steps, they grab their iPad to read the news over coffee. Then it's time to power up the MacBook Pro and get to work. That's four Apple devices before 8 AM.
By day's end, between work, workouts, and reading, many users could spend 10+ hours on Apple devices. This is why hacks for MacBook Pro can be such time savers. Mac deployments deliver a 186% ROI over five years, with IT employees managing twice as many Mac devices versus PCs.
Below, we cover 15 useful MacBook hacks and tricks you can start using right away.
What are hacks for MacBook Pro?
Hacks for MacBook Pro are tips, shortcuts, and techniques that help users work more efficiently on their Mac computers. These include keyboard shortcuts that speed up common commands, native macOS features that many users overlook, trackpad gestures that streamline navigation, and third-party applications designed to enhance productivity.
While the term "hack" often suggests complex technical workarounds, most MacBook productivity hacks are straightforward optimizations built into the operating system or available through trusted software.
Essential keyboard shortcuts for MacBook Pro
Mac devices come with many productivity hacks built in, but even longtime users don't always leverage these native features fully. Keyboard shortcuts remain one of the most effective MacBook tips and tricks for beginners and power users alike.
System and application management:
- Command + Space: Opens Spotlight Search (fastest method to launch apps and locate files)
- Command + Tab: Switches between open applications
- Command + ` (backtick): Cycles through windows within current application
- Command + Q: Completely quits application and frees system resources
- Command + H: Hides front application's windows without quitting
- Option + Command + Esc: Opens Force Quit dialog for unresponsive apps
- Shift + Command + 5: Opens screenshot and screen recording toolbar
Navigation and control:
- Control + Up Arrow: Opens Mission Control (view all windows and virtual desktops)
- Control + Left/Right Arrow: Switches between virtual desktops (Spaces)
You can view and customize your Mac keyboard shortcuts by going to System Settings, then Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts. This gives you access to the complete list of customizable shortcuts across applications and system functions.
Essential trackpad gestures:
The advanced, customizable trackpad on Mac computers is a powerful productivity tool. Head to System Settings, then Trackpad to configure gestures including two-finger scrolling, pinch-to-zoom, four-finger swipe navigation for Mission Control, and three-finger tap for quick lookup.
For advanced workflows, enable three-finger drag through System Settings, then Accessibility, then Pointer Control, then Trackpad Options.
Spotlight Search and Mission Control
Spotlight Search is a handy tool built into macOS for quickly searching documents, applications, downloads, and more. Press Command + Space bar and start typing the name or description of whatever you need. For a task like pulling up the calculator, Spotlight allows you to do so quickly without your hands leaving the keyboard. Type "calc," hit enter, and type your equation.
Mission Control lets you see all open windows on one screen, making it easy to switch between windows or applications. Mission Control is particularly powerful when paired with customized trackpad gestures, letting you create multiple Spaces and drag windows between them effortlessly. Access it quickly with Control + Up Arrow or swipe up with four fingers on your trackpad.
Native window tiling in macOS Sequoia
One of the most significant productivity additions in macOS Sequoia is built-in window tiling. Apple's announcement highlights this feature provides native tiling capabilities that reduce dependency on third-party tools like Rectangle or Magnet for most users.
Here's how to use it:
- Drag windows to screen edges for automatic tiling
- Hover over the green window button to access layout options (half-screen, quarter-screen)
- Use keyboard shortcuts for all tiling operations
- Customize margins between tiled windows in System Settings
Understanding window buttons is also essential if you’re interested in cool hacks for the MacBook Pro. The red button closes the window but doesn't quit the app. The yellow button minimizes to the dock. The green button activates window tiling in macOS Sequoia, revealing additional layouts when you hover over it. Double-clicking the top bar automatically makes a window full-size.
Screen real estate and screenshots
The amount of screen space depends heavily on your device. MacBook Air users might wish for more space, while iMac users rarely complain.
- Sidecar for iPad as second display: Sidecar allows you to use your iPad as a secondary display, extending your workspace wirelessly. Enable it through System Settings, then Displays, and select your iPad.
- iPhone Mirroring: With macOS Sequoia, you can control your iPhone directly from your Mac for seamless device management.
- Screenshot management: The default saves screenshots to the desktop, but this creates clutter. Use Command + Shift + 5 to open the screenshot toolbar, click "Options," and select a different folder. Or press Shift + Command + 4 to copy a screenshot directly to your clipboard.
Focus mode and Apple Intelligence
Focus is a notification management mode available across Apple devices that provides granular control over which notifications you receive and when. Access Focus settings through System Settings or Control Center.
Built-in options include Do Not Disturb, Work, Personal, and Sleep modes, each fully customizable. You can create custom Focus modes and set automatic triggers based on time, location, or app.
macOS Sequoia and later versions include Apple Intelligence, providing on-device AI assistance while maintaining privacy. Writing Tools are available system-wide to rewrite text for different audiences, proofread your writing, and summarize long documents or emails into key points.
Apple Continuity features
For professionals deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, Continuity features offer powerful productivity gains.
- Universal Control lets you control multiple Mac and iPad devices using a single keyboard, mouse, or trackpad. Apple Support documents seamless pointer movement across screens and direct content drag-and-drop between devices. Requirements include Mac models from 2016 or later running macOS Monterey 12.4+, iPad running iPadOS 15.4+, same Apple ID with two-factor authentication, and devices within 30 feet with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled.
- iPhone Mirroring enables complete wireless control of your iPhone from your Mac. You can control your iPhone using your Mac's keyboard and trackpad, drag and drop files between devices, and view and respond to iPhone notifications on Mac.
- Continuity Camera lets your iPhone serve as a high-quality webcam. Apple's Camera guide highlights features including Center Stage for automatic frame centering, Desk View for simultaneous face and workspace display, and Studio Light for enhanced facial lighting.
- Handoff lets you start tasks on one device and continue on another. Apple's documentation explains supported apps include Safari, Mail, Maps, Reminders, Calendar, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote.
Hot Corners for instant actions
Hot Corners let you trigger actions by moving your cursor to any corner of the screen. Go to System Settings, then Desktop & Dock, then scroll to Hot Corners. Assign each corner to actions like starting the screen saver, locking the screen, launching Mission Control, or showing the desktop.
Popular setups include:
- Top-left: Mission Control for quick window overview
- Top-right: Desktop to access files instantly
- Bottom-left: Lock Screen when stepping away
- Bottom-right: Quick Note for capturing thoughts
Hold modifier keys (Command, Shift, Option, or Control) while setting a Hot Corner to prevent accidental triggers. This requires holding that key while moving to the corner.
Quick Look for instant file previews
Press the spacebar while any file is selected in Finder to instantly preview it without opening an application. Quick Look works with documents, images, videos, audio files, and PDFs. Navigate through multiple selected files using arrow keys while in Quick Look mode.
Advanced Quick Look shortcuts include:
- Option + Spacebar: Opens Quick Look in full-screen mode
- Command + Y: Alternative Quick Look activation
- Within Quick Look: Use arrow keys to cycle through multiple selected files
Quick Look also supports markup. While previewing an image or PDF, click the markup icon to annotate, sign, or crop without opening a separate application.
Finder customization and navigation
Finder becomes significantly more powerful with a few adjustments. Open Finder, then go to View, then Show Path Bar to see the full file path at the bottom of every window. Enable View, then Show Status Bar to see item counts and available storage.
Essential Finder keyboard shortcuts:
- Command + Shift + G: Go to any folder by typing its path
- Command + Shift + H: Jump to Home folder
- Command + Shift + D: Jump to Desktop
- Command + Shift + A: Jump to Applications
- Command + 1/2/3/4: Switch between icon, list, column, and gallery views
- Command + Delete: Move selected items to Trash
Create custom toolbar shortcuts by right-clicking the Finder toolbar and selecting Customize Toolbar. Drag frequently-used folders or applications directly into the toolbar for one-click access.
Text replacement for faster typing
macOS includes system-wide text replacement that works across all applications. Go to System Settings, then Keyboard, then Text Replacements. Create shortcuts that expand into longer phrases, such as typing "eml" to produce your full email address or "addr" for your complete mailing address.
Useful text replacement ideas:
- Common email responses and greetings
- Frequently typed technical terms or product names
- Date formats or signature blocks
- Frequently misspelled words with their corrections
Text replacements sync across all Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account, so shortcuts created on your MacBook Pro also work on your iPhone and iPad.
Stage Manager for organized multitasking
Stage Manager, introduced in macOS Ventura, offers an alternative to traditional window management. Enable it through Control Center or System Settings, then Desktop & Dock, then Stage Manager. Active windows stay centered while other apps stack on the left side of the screen as thumbnails.
Stage Manager works well for workflows involving frequent app switching. Click any thumbnail to bring that app forward, or drag windows between the center stage and the side. Combine Stage Manager with Spaces to create separate work environments for different projects or contexts.
Automator and Shortcuts for repetitive tasks
macOS includes two automation tools: Automator (legacy) and Shortcuts (newer, more powerful). Both let you create custom workflows that run with a single click or keyboard shortcut.
Practical automation examples:
- Resize and rename batches of images
- Convert file formats automatically
- Create templated folders for new projects
- Send pre-written emails at scheduled times
- Extract text from images using OCR
Access Shortcuts through the Applications folder or Spotlight. Create workflows using drag-and-drop actions, then assign keyboard shortcuts through System Settings, then Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts, then Services.
Terminal commands for power users
Terminal provides direct access to macOS's Unix foundation. A few simple commands unlock features not available through the graphical interface.
Useful Terminal commands:
- defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/Screenshots && killall SystemUIServer — Changes screenshot save location
- defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true && killall Finder — Shows hidden files in Finder
- caffeinate -t 3600 — Prevents sleep for one hour (useful during long downloads)
- sudo purge — Clears inactive RAM when the system feels sluggish
Always research Terminal commands before running them. The defaults write commands modify system preferences, while sudo commands require administrator privileges.
Split View for side-by-side work
Split View places two applications side by side in full-screen mode, eliminating distractions from other windows. Hover over the green window button and select Tile Window to Left of Screen or Tile Window to Right of Screen. Then select another application for the opposite side.
Adjust the divider between apps by dragging it left or right. Exit Split View by pressing Escape or moving the cursor to the top of the screen and clicking the green button again.
Split View works especially well for reference work: keep research material on one side while writing on the other, or compare two documents without constantly switching windows.
Superhuman Mail for keyboard-driven email
The hacks in this guide share a common theme: using keyboard shortcuts and built-in features to work faster without reaching for the mouse. Email is where this approach pays off most. Professionals spend hours daily in their inbox, and every mouse click adds friction.
Superhuman Mail was designed for keyboard-first email on Mac. Every action has a shortcut: hit J and K to move between messages, E to archive, R to reply, Command + Shift + I to go to your inbox. Navigate, triage, and respond without your fingers leaving the keyboard.
For MacBook Pro users who've mastered the shortcuts and gestures throughout this guide, Superhuman Mail extends that same efficiency to email:
- Keyboard-first navigation: Every command accessible via shortcut, matching the Mac power-user workflow
- Split Inbox: Automatically separates important messages so you focus on what matters
- Instant Reply: AI-generated drafts in your voice, ready to send or edit
- Remind Me: Messages return to your inbox at the right moment
- Snippets: Templates with variables that personalize automatically
If you've invested time learning Mac keyboard shortcuts, Superhuman Mail lets you apply that same muscle memory to email.
Turn your inbox into your most effective productivity tool
Keyboard shortcuts, AI triage, automated follow ups, scheduled sends
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FAQs
What are some hidden Mac shortcuts?
Some lesser-known shortcuts include Command + Option + D to hide/show the Dock, Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files in Finder, and Control + Command + Space to open the emoji picker. Command + backtick cycles through windows in the current app, and Command + comma opens preferences for any application.
How to make your MacBook Pro cool?
Keep your MacBook Pro running cool by ensuring vents aren't blocked, using Activity Monitor to close resource-heavy apps, keeping macOS updated, and avoiding soft surfaces that trap heat. Consider a laptop stand for better airflow, and periodically clean dust from vents with compressed air.
How to find hidden things on a MacBook Pro?
Press Command + Shift + Period in Finder to reveal hidden files and folders. You can also use Terminal commands like "defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true" followed by "killall Finder" to permanently show hidden files. The Library folder, normally hidden, contains app preferences and support files.
What are butterfly keys on a MacBook?
Butterfly keys were a keyboard mechanism Apple used in MacBooks from 2015 to 2019. Named for the butterfly-shaped mechanism under each key, they offered a thinner profile but were prone to issues with dust and debris. Apple returned to scissor-switch keyboards in 2019, now called Magic Keyboard, which are more reliable and comfortable.
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