Boost your Mac’s productivity with these 4 essential widgets. See why tools like Drafts, Orbit, Batteries, and Shortcuts are must-haves for your desktop.
You may not realize it, but your macOS desktop can be more than just a place for files and folders — it can be a powerful hub of widgets. These miniature apps sit right on your screen, letting you check the weather, keep tabs on your calendar, track reminders, follow the news, and more, all without having to open your essential MacBook applications.
For years, Apple has kept widgets somewhat hidden away in the Notification Center, which meant that few mainstream users were using them. However, that has changed with macOS Tahoe, making widgets easier to access and helping to encourage personalization of your Mac’s workspace.
Desktop widgets are available on MacBooks with macOS Sonoma or later and come with a selection of pre-installed widgets to help you get started. Once I got started and found how convenient widgets were, whether it was a quick glance at my upcoming appointments or controlling my smart-home devices from my desktop, it left me with a desire to browse the App Store for even more widgets. If you’re ready to take your macOS Tahoe experience beyond the basics, exploring widgets is a simple way to make your desktop feel smarter and more useful. Here are four widgets that are must-haves for all Mac owners. Drafts text editor
One of the best widgets available for macOS is Drafts. It bills itself as the place « where text starts », and I have found that the tagline couldn’t be more accurate. As a writer, Drafts help me to jot down quick thoughts during the day. It’s a widget that’s designed to capture ideas the moment they strike, before they have the chance to slip away.
At its core, Drafts is a clean and fast plain text editor, but what makes it stand out is its flexibility. Using customizable actions, you can turn short notes into emails, reminders, or full-fledged documents. Everything syncs across your Apple devices, so you can start typing on your Mac and pick up your notes later on your iPhone or iPad.
