MacOS

Basic Operations

• Spotlight Search: Press Cmd + Space or click the magnifying glass in the top-right corner.
• Finder: Click the Finder icon in the Dock.
• Dock: Located at the bottom of the screen (can be moved in System Settings).
• LaunchPad: Located on Dock, use to launch apps

System Settings

• Apple Menu: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen.
• System Settings: Access through the Apple Menu or the Dock.

File Management

• Finder Window: Open Finder and use the toolbar for options.
• Quick Look: Select a file and press the space bar.
• Trash: Click the Trash icon in the Dock or drag items onto it.

Applications

• App Store: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner, select App Store.
• Activity Monitor: Find it in Finder > Applications > Utilities or use Spotlight Search.
• Disk Utility: Located in Finder > Applications > Utilities.

Safari Browser

• Reading List: Click the sidebar icon and then the glasses icon.
• Favorites: Click the sidebar icon and then the bookmark icon
• Private Browsing: File > New Private Window.
• Profiles: Safari > Settings > Manage Profiles
• Clear History: Safari > Clear History. Select how long ago to clear, select from which profile.
• Developer Features: Safari > Settings > Advanced > ‘Show features for web developers’

Utilities

• Terminal: Located in Finder > Applications > Utilities.
• Time Machine: System Settings > General > Time Machine.
• Migration Assistant: Located in Finder > Applications > Utilities.
• Disk Utility: Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility

Accessibility

• VoiceOver: Enable in System Settings > Accessibility.
• Zoom: Enable in System Settings > Accessibility.
• Dictation: Enable in System Settings > Keyboard.

Security and Privacy

• Firewall: System Settings > Network > Firewall.
• FileVault: System Settings > Privacy & Security > FileVault.
• Privacy Settings: System Settings > Privacy & Security.

iCloud

• iCloud Drive: System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud.
• Find My: Finder > Applications > “Find My” app or access via iCloud.com.
• iCloud Photos: System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Photos.

Connectivity

• AirDrop: Open Finder and click “AirDrop” in the sidebar.
• Bluetooth: Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar or go to System Settings > Bluetooth.
• Hotspot: Available via Wi-Fi settings if using an iPhone as a personal hotspot.
• AirDrop & Handoff Settings: System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff

Multitasking

• Mission Control: Swipe up with three or four fingers on the trackpad or press Control + Up Arrow.
• Split View: Click and hold the full-screen button in the top-left corner of a window, then drag it to the side.
• Desktop Spaces: Access via Mission Control.

Virtual Assistance

• Siri: Click the Siri icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar or in the Dock.

Quick Access and Organization

• Hot Corners: Set up hot corners to quickly access features like Mission Control or Desktop by moving the cursor to the screen corners. (System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Hot Corners)
• Stacks: Organize your desktop files automatically into neat stacks. (Right-click on Desktop > Use Stacks)

Communication and Collaboration

• SharePlay: Share movies or apps during FaceTime calls. (Start a FaceTime call and click the SharePlay icon)
• Shared Notes: Collaborate on notes with friends or colleagues. (Notes App > Select a Note > Add People icon)

Customization

• Desktop Wallpaper: Use wallpapers that change throughout the day. (System Settings > Wallpaper)
• Accent Colors: Customize the color of buttons, menus, and windows. (System Settings > Appearance > Accent color)
• Screensaver: System Settings > Screensaver
• Lock Screen Settings: Display and sleep timings. Screensaver timings. (System Settings > Lockscreen)

Advanced Features

• Automator: Create custom workflows, quick actions, and automated tasks. (Finder > Applications > Automator)
• Script Editor: Write and execute AppleScript and JavaScript for automation. (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Script Editor)

Health and Wellness

• Night Shift: Adjust the color temperature of your display to reduce blue light. (System Settings > Displays > Night Shift)
• Downtime: Set scheduled time away from the screen. (System Settings > Screen Time > Downtime)

Additional Utilities

• Grapher: Create 2D and 3D graphs. (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Grapher)
• Digital Color Meter: Measure and view color values on your screen. (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Digital Color Meter)

Accessibility and Convenience

• Live Text: Interact with text in photos and images. (Available in compatible apps like Photos and Safari)
• Focus: Customize notifications and app notifications to stay focused. (System Settings > Focus)

Advanced Security

• Gatekeeper: Ensure that all apps are verified and safe to use. (System Settings > Privacy & Security)
• Secure Boot: Ensure that only trusted operating system software loads at startup. (Restart Mac and hold Command + R keys > Startup Security Utility)

Developer Tools

• Xcode: Develop apps for Apple devices. (Available on the App Store)
• Console: View log messages and activities from your Mac. (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Console)

Media and Content Creation

• QuickTime Player: Record screen and audio. (File > New Screen Recording or New Audio Recording)
• Preview: Annotate images and PDFs. (Open a file with Preview > Tools)

Troubleshooting

• Safe Mode: Start up your Mac in a way that checks and prevents some software from automatically loading. (Restart Mac and hold Shift key)
• Recovery Mode: Reinstall MacOS or troubleshoot using Disk Utility. (Restart Mac and hold Command + R keys)