Whether you’re a long-term user or getting into Macs for the first time, there are several less-known macOS settings you should use to boost productivity.
Apple’s Mac offerings have been setting the standard for productivity and efficiency for generations, as these computers strike the best balance between software and hardware capabilities. Specifically on the software side, macOS offers a well-crafted, user-friendly experience that fosters productivity through its feature-rich yet straightforward interface. The first-party apps provide robust functionality through the Apple ecosystem that creates a synergy between your Mac and the rest of your devices, including the iPhone and the iPad, thus making it convenient to universally manage tasks and notifications. Still, this is just the top layer of the whole Mac experience, and even seasoned users may be unfamiliar with its true capabilities beyond the surface.
Whether you’re a long-term user or someone getting into Macs for the first time, there are several lesser-known macOS native settings. You can automate mundane workflows via a library of pre-built actions, or enable multitasking like a pro via grouping multiple apps to avoid clutter. As such, this list dives into six lesser-known Mac settings you should consider to boost productivity instantly.Hot Corners
Beyond shortcuts, there is another way to perform a task on your Mac instantly. You can use the Hot Corners feature to assign a specific action to each corner of your screen, with such actions ranging from locking your screen, putting the display to sleep, or opening Notepad. To trigger the action, you just need to hover your mouse over the assigned area.
To enable Hot Corners, you need to:
Open System Settings.
Search Desktop & Dock
Click Hot Corners
Configure
For systems on macOS Monterey and earlier, go to Desktop & Screen Saver → Screen Saver, and the Hot Corners setting is at the bottom right of the tab.
You can also choose to set up a Hot Corner with a modifier key, so that moving the mouse cursor into that corner alone would not activate the designated function. This prevents the accidental triggering of these actions. Modifier keys include Command, Shift, Option, or Control. To disable Hot Corners, select the hyphen (-) option for the corresponding corner.Stage Manager lets you multitask like a pro
While the Command+Tab combo is the staple for multitasking on a Mac, there are more efficient alternatives. In cases where you may have opened a cluster of apps, switching between them can be annoying, leading to wasted time and reduced productivity.
