How to Use a Mac? Tips & Tricks for Common Mac Tasks

Whether you’re a new Mac user or just looking to brush up on your macOS skills, this comprehensive guide walks you through the most common tasks — from taking screenshots and screen recording to syncing your iPhone. Each section is designed to help you navigate macOS more efficiently and confidently.

1. How to Screen Record on Mac

To record your screen on macOS:

Using Screenshot Toolbar:

1. Press Command + Shift + 5.
2. Choose from “Record Entire Screen” or “Record Selected Portion”.
3. Click Record.
4. Stop recording by clicking the stop icon in the top-right menu bar.

Using QuickTime:

1. Open QuickTime Player.
2. Click File > New Screen Recording.
3. Choose audio and screen options, then click record.

Recordings save to your Movies folder or Desktop, depending on your preferences.

2. How to Copy and Paste on Mac

• Copy: Press Command + C
• Paste: Press Command + V
• Cut (in text fields): Press Command + X

Drag-and-drop also works across most apps.
Universal Clipboard lets you copy on iPhone and paste on Mac if both devices are on the same iCloud account.

3. How to Force Quit on Mac

If an app freezes:

1. Press Command + Option + Esc.
2. Select the unresponsive app.
3. Click Force Quit.

Alternatively, open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities, and quit or force quit the app from there.

4. How to Connect AirPods to Mac

1. Put your AirPods in the case and open the lid.
2. On your Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth.
3. Select your AirPods from the list and click Connect.

Once paired, your Mac will automatically switch audio to AirPods when they’re nearby.

5. How to Make Mac Dark Mode

1. Go to System Settings > Appearance.
2. Select Dark under the appearance options.

You can also enable Auto to switch based on time of day.

6. How to Split Screen on Mac

1. Hover over the green full-screen button on any window.
2. Choose Tile Window to Left/Right of Screen.
3. Select a second app to fill the opposite side.

To exit Split View, press Esc or move your mouse to the top of the screen and click the green button again.

7. How to Right Click on Mac

• Two-finger click on trackpad
• Control + Click on a mouse or trackpad
• Enable right-click via System Settings > Trackpad > Secondary Click

8. How to Delete Apps on Mac

Using Launchpad:

1. Open Launchpad.
2. Click and hold the app.
3. Click the X to delete.

Using Finder:

1. Go to Applications.
2. Drag the app to the Trash.
3. Empty the Trash to fully remove it.

9. How to Snip on Mac (Take Partial Screenshot)

• Press Command + Shift + 4
• Click and drag to capture the desired area
• Screenshot will save to the Desktop by default

You can also edit the image immediately by clicking the thumbnail preview.

10. How to Edit a PDF on Mac

1. Open the PDF in Preview.
2. Use the Markup Toolbar to:
   • Highlight text
   • Add text or shapes
   • Sign documents with your trackpad or camera

For complex edits, consider third-party tools like PDF Expert or Adobe Acrobat.

11. How to Allow Pop-Ups on Mac

For Safari:

1. Go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Pop-up Windows.
2. Change setting from “Block” to “Allow” for the desired website.

For Chrome:

1. Go to Chrome > Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups and redirects.
2. Add the site under allowed.

12. How to Zoom Out on Mac

• In most browsers: Press Command + – (minus)
• Use Trackpad pinch gesture to zoom in or out
• System-wide: Enable zoom under System Settings > Accessibility > Zoom

13. How to Clear Cookies on Mac

In Safari:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data.
2. Click Remove All or delete specific cookies.

In Chrome:

1. Settings > Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data.
2. Select Cookies and other site data.

14. How to Print on Mac

1. Press Command + P in any app or browser.
2. Select your printer and adjust settings.
3. Click Print or Save as PDF if needed.

15. How to Select Multiple Files on Mac

• Shift + Click: Select files in a row
• Command + Click: Select files one by one
• Click + Drag: Draw a selection box

Use Command + A to select all files in a folder.

16. How to Sync Messages from iPhone to Mac

1. On iPhone: Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding
2. Enable your Mac from the list.
3. On Mac: Open Messages, sign in with Apple ID.

Enable iCloud Messages for full sync across devices.

17. How to Enable Cookies on Mac

In Safari:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy.
2. Uncheck Block all cookies.

Chrome and Firefox allow cookies by default, but settings are under their privacy menus.

18. How to Forget a Network on Mac

1. Go to System Settings > Wi-Fi.
2. Click Details next to your network.
3. Click Forget This Network.

19. How to Turn On AirDrop on Mac

1. Open Finder > AirDrop.
2. Set your visibility to Contacts Only or Everyone.
3. Ensure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled.

20. How to Open Terminal on Mac

1. Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal
2. Or use Spotlight: Press Command + Space and type “Terminal”

21. How to Delete Messages on Mac

• In the Messages app, right-click a message or conversation and select Delete.
• To delete multiple: Hold Command, select messages, and press Delete.

22. How to Unzip Files on Mac

1. Double-click any .zip file to extract it.
2. Files will appear in the same folder.

Advanced users can also unzip via Terminal:

bashCopyEditunzip filename.zip

23. How to Turn Off Pop-Up Blocker on Mac

Safari:

1. Settings > Websites > Pop-up Windows
2. Set specific sites to Allow

Chrome:

• Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings > Pop-ups

24. How to Find MAC Address on iPhone

1. Go to Settings > General > About
2. Scroll to Wi-Fi Address – this is your MAC address

25. How to Check Storage on Mac

1. Click Apple menu > About This Mac > Storage
2. See usage breakdown (Apps, Documents, System, etc.)
3. Click Manage for storage recommendations

26. How to Add Printer to Mac

1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners
2. Click + to add a new printer
3. Choose AirPrint or install necessary drivers

27. How to Stop Screen Recording on Mac

If recording using Screenshot Toolbar:

• Click the Stop icon in the top-right menu bar

In QuickTime:

• Click the Stop button in the app window

28. How to Crop Screenshot on Mac

• Open screenshot in Preview
• Click Markup Toolbar > Select > Crop
• Save the file

29. How to Restart Mac

• Click Apple menu > Restart
• To force restart: Press and hold the power button until the Mac shuts down, then press again to reboot

30. How to Sync Contacts from iPhone to Mac

1. On iPhone: Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Contacts
2. On Mac: System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Contacts

31. How to Go Incognito on Mac

Safari:

• Press Command + Shift + N to open a private window

Chrome:

• Same shortcut opens Incognito mode

32. How to Change Password on MacBook

1. Go to System Settings > Users & Groups
2. Select your profile and click Change Password

33. How to Backup iPhone to Mac

1. Connect iPhone to Mac using a cable
2. Open Finder, select your iPhone
3. Choose Back Up Now

Enable Encrypt local backup to include saved passwords.

34. How to AirDrop from iPhone to Mac

1. On iPhone: Select file > Share > AirDrop
2. Choose your Mac from the list

Make sure both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on.

35. How to Open Task Manager on Mac

Use Activity Monitor:

1. Open Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor
2. Monitor memory, CPU, and app usage
3. Force quit apps if necessary

36. How to Change Wallpaper on Mac

1. Go to System Settings > Wallpaper
2. Choose from Apple’s library or click Add Folder to upload your own image

Conclusion

Mastering macOS isn’t difficult once you learn where the most useful features live. With this guide, you now have the tools to record your screen, manage apps, sync devices, and customize your Mac to your liking.