Have you ever wondered how much faster you could navigate your Mac with just a few key combinations? While most users stick to basic shortcuts, macOS is packed with hidden commands that can dramatically speed up your workflow, enhance navigation, and simplify everyday tasks. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, these lesser-known shortcuts can help you get more done with less effort. Here are some you may not be using—but definitely should start today.
1. Quick Screenshot Tricks
While Command (⌘) + Shift + 3 takes a full screenshot, there are better shortcuts for specific needs:
- Command (⌘) + Shift + 4 – Select a portion of the screen to capture.
- Command (⌘) + Shift + 4, then Spacebar – Capture a specific window.
- Command (⌘) + Shift + 5 – Opens macOS’s screenshot tool for screen recording and additional options.
If you want to keep your screenshots clutter-free, go to Options in the screenshot tool to change the default save location.
2. Instantly Open Spotlight Search
Instead of manually looking for files or apps, use:
- Command (⌘) + Spacebar – Opens Spotlight to search apps, documents, and even perform quick calculations or conversions.
- Command (⌘) + Option + Spacebar – Opens a Finder search window directly.
Spotlight can also fetch real-time weather, dictionary definitions, and even currency exchange rates. If you frequently work across different locations or need access to region-specific search results, pairing Spotlight with a VPN for Mac can help you browse securely while maintaining privacy. A VPN also ensures your searches stay protected on public networks.
3. Switch Between Apps and Windows Efficiently
Instead of using your trackpad or mouse, quickly move between open apps and windows with:
- Command (⌘) + Tab – Switch between open apps.
- Command (⌘) + ` (Backtick, above Tab key) – Cycle through windows of the same app.
For those who work with multiple apps simultaneously, this shortcut keeps multitasking seamless.
4. Close, Hide, and Minimize Windows Quickly
Managing windows with your trackpad can slow you down. Instead, use:
- Command (⌘) + W – Close the current window.
- Command (⌘) + H – Hide the current app.
- Command (⌘) + Option + H – Hide all apps except the active one.
These shortcuts are particularly useful for quickly decluttering your screen.
5. Move and Arrange Files Faster in Finder
Finder has some hidden shortcuts that can save time:
- Command (⌘) + Option + V – Moves (instead of copying) a file to a new location.
- Command (⌘) + Delete – Instantly sends a file to the Trash.
- Spacebar – Quick Look preview of a file without opening it.
When organizing files, these shortcuts eliminate extra clicks and speed up workflow.
6. Text Editing and Formatting Shortcuts
Whether you’re typing emails or working on a document, these shortcuts improve text handling:
- Option + Delete – Deletes an entire word instead of a single character.
- Command (⌘) + Left/Right Arrow – Moves the cursor to the beginning or end of a line.
- Command (⌘) + Up/Down Arrow – Jumps to the top or bottom of a document.
These are especially useful for those who frequently work with long text.
7. Quickly Lock Your Mac When Stepping Away
If you need to walk away from your Mac but don’t want to log out completely:
- Control + Command (⌘) + Q – Instantly locks your Mac.
- Command (⌘) + Option + Power (or Eject) – Puts your Mac to sleep.
Using these shortcuts can protect your privacy, especially in public places or shared workspaces.
8. Quick Emoji and Special Character Access
Typing special characters or emojis doesn’t have to be a hassle.
- Control + Command (⌘) + Spacebar – Opens the emoji and symbol picker anywhere you can type.
This is useful for inserting emojis, math symbols, or special characters without opening another app.
9. Force Quit Unresponsive Apps Without Restarting Your Mac
If an app freezes and you don’t want to restart your entire Mac:
- Command (⌘) + Option + Escape – Opens the Force Quit window to close unresponsive applications.
This shortcut saves time compared to manually opening the Activity Monitor.
Using these lesser-known shortcuts can significantly improve your efficiency on a Mac. From managing windows and files to enhancing security and navigation, these tricks help users save time and frustration.
