If you use a Mac every day and still find yourself digging through menus or fumbling with the mouse, you’re not alone. macOS is packed with shortcuts — some are obvious, others are borderline hidden — but once you know them, they can completely change the way you work.
Over the years I’ve picked up quite a few that I now rely on daily. So whether you’re a long-time Mac user or fairly new to the ecosystem, here are some macOS shortcuts you’ll genuinely wish you’d known sooner.
1. Quickly Open Spotlight With Command + Space
Let’s start simple. Pressing Command + Space opens Spotlight Search, which is far more powerful than most people realise. It can launch apps, find files, do basic maths, convert currency, and even give you dictionary definitions — all without leaving the keyboard.
Try typing something like £100 to USD or define ephemeral — it works instantly.
2. Command + Shift + 5: Total Screenshot Control
You probably know Command + Shift + 3 takes a full-screen screenshot, and Command + Shift + 4 lets you select a portion of the screen. But Command + Shift + 5 opens the full screenshot toolbar. This gives you options to record your screen, choose which window to capture, or set a timer. You can also change where your screenshots are saved.
Once you use this, it’s hard to go back.
3. Move Between Desktops and Full-Screen Apps
If you use multiple desktops (or have apps in full-screen mode), use Control + Left/Right Arrow to swipe between them. It’s seamless and especially useful when you’re trying to separate workspaces — say, emails on one screen, writing on another.
Set up desktops by going into Mission Control (F3 key or swipe up with three fingers) and adding new spaces at the top.
4. Paste Without Formatting: Command + Shift + V
Copying text from a website and pasting it into Notes or Mail often drags along all the colours, fonts, and layout junk. Avoid that by using Command + Shift + V to paste without formatting. It drops plain text only, saving you a trip to the formatting toolbar.
5. Use Preview to Sign Documents
This one’s a game-changer if you hate printing and scanning. Open a PDF in Preview, click the pen icon (Mark-up toolbar), then the signature icon. You can create your signature using your trackpad or scan it in using your camera. Once it’s saved, you can drop it into any document with a click.
No need to print anything ever again.
6. Command + Tab: App Switcher Done Right
Command + Tab cycles through your open apps, but there’s more to it:
- Keep holding
Commandand tapTabto move through the list. - While holding
Command, pressQto quit a selected app. - Or press
Hto hide it.
It becomes second nature very quickly and keeps your desktop much cleaner.
7. Quick Look With Spacebar
Got a file selected in Finder? Hit the Spacebar. It’ll open a preview window instantly — whether it’s a photo, PDF, video, or even a Word doc. No need to open the file in its respective app.
You can even scroll through multiple files this way by using the arrow keys and tapping Space again.
8. Create Keyboard Shortcuts for Anything
Head to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts. Here, you can create your own keyboard shortcuts for specific menu commands in any app.
For example, if you’re constantly exporting documents and the menu command is buried under File > Export As…, you can assign a shortcut like Command + E.
It takes a bit of setting up, but it’s a huge time-saver once it’s in place.
9. Use Hot Corners
This feature lets you turn the corners of your screen into quick action zones. Go to System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Hot Corners, and you can assign actions like launching Mission Control, locking your screen, or starting the screensaver just by moving your mouse to a corner.
Set one up to put your display to sleep instantly. It’s brilliant when you need to walk away quickly.
10. Dictation with Fn (or Globe) Key
Tap the Fn key (or Globe on newer Macs) twice to enable dictation. It’s surprisingly accurate and perfect for quickly jotting down thoughts without typing. Just speak normally and it transcribes as you go.
It’s especially handy in Notes, Messages, or anywhere you’d type a quick message.
The beauty of macOS is that it rewards curiosity. The more you explore, the more you discover ways to get things done faster and with less friction. These shortcuts are just the start — but if you use even a few of them regularly, you’ll feel the difference almost immediately.
And if you’ve got any hidden gems of your own, I’d love to hear them.
