If you’re a Mac user, you probably already know basic keyboard shortcuts like Command + C for copying and Command + V for pasting. However, macOS has many other shortcuts that can make your life easier and improve your productivity. Here are 30 essential keyboard shortcuts every Mac user should know.
Basic and Essential Shortcuts
- Esc: Cancels the current action. Use it, for example, to exit a screenshot selection.
- Command + W: Closes the active window. Use Option + Command + W to close all open windows of the active application.
- Command + Y: Opens QuickLook to preview a selected file in Finder.
- Command + , (comma): Opens the preferences of the active application.
Search and Navigation
- Command + F: Opens the search function in documents and web pages.
- Command + G: Finds the next occurrence in a search.
- Shift + Command + G: Moves back to the previous occurrence.
- Command + L: Selects the address bar in Safari for quick searching.
- Command + Tab: Switches between open applications.
- Command + Option + D: Shows or hides the Dock.
Window and Application Management
- Command + M: Minimizes the current window. Use Option + Command + M to minimize all windows of the active application.
- Command + Option and click on the desktop: Hides all windows and shows the desktop.
- Command + Shift + A: Opens the Applications folder from Finder.
- Command + Shift + U: Opens the Utilities folder.
- Command + Shift + D: Directly accesses the Desktop.
Web Navigation and Tabs
- Command + Left/Right Arrow: Moves back or forward a page in the browser.
- Command + Shift + [/]**: Switches between open tabs in a browser.
- Command + Shift + T: Restores the last closed tab in Safari.
- Spacebar: Scrolls the screen down in Safari.
- Shift + Spacebar: Scrolls the screen up.
Settings and Controls Shortcuts
- Option + Shift + Volume (up/down): Adjusts volume in small increments.
- Option + Shift + Brightness (up/down): Adjusts screen brightness in small increments.
- Fn + Left/Right Arrow: Jumps to the beginning or end of a page.
- Control + Command + Space: Opens the Character Viewer to insert emojis or symbols.
- Option + Command + Esc: Forces a frozen application to quit.
- Command + Control + Q: Instantly locks your Mac.
Touch Bar Shortcuts (MacBook Pro)
- Shift + Command + 6: Captures an image of the Touch Bar.
- Control + Shift + Command + 6: Saves the screenshot to the clipboard.
- Customize Touch Bar: Go to Keyboard Preferences and select «Customize Control Strip» to rearrange buttons, including Siri.
- Set Function Keys: In Keyboard Preferences, configure the Touch Bar to always display function keys in specific applications.
These shortcuts can make your macOS experience much more efficient. What are your favorites? Let us know in the comments!
