Undoubtedly, we are already utilizing a number of keyboard shortcuts on your MacBook for frequent tasks. However, Apple has also incorporated a number of Mac keyboard shortcuts that you need to know, which may help you save time or, in certain situations, effort.
Although it may seem wonderful in theory to memorize every shortcut on macOS, certain shortcuts are more beneficial than others. So, we’ve created this post to look at five primary Mac keyboard shortcuts you need to know. This includes:
- Adjusting your brightness levels
- Adjusting your volume levels
- Mac Keyboard Shortcut For Airdrop
- Emptying the trash without warning
- Change finder views
Adjusting your Brightness Levels
Obviously, being a MacBook user, you’re probably used to adjust the screen brightness via the keyboard’s brightness button or the Touch Bar. Although it seems simple, there are situations where your keyboard’s brightness selections could be too bright or too dim. Also, on a MacBook without a Touch Bar, you could probably find yourself without access to a specialized adjuster.
Despite, that the only way to adjust the brightness to get a more precise percentage is to use the brightness slider in Control Center. But there is apparently a Mac keyboard shortcut for that.
Here, you can increase or decrease the display brightness in smaller stages by pressing Option + Shift + Keyboard Brightness Up or Down. When you observe the slider move between one of the regular increments that are displayed as squares in the pop-up slider. So, you know you’re getting a brightness level that is precisely calibrated.
Thankfully, there is a keyboard shortcut even if you are using a Mac Mini, an iMac, a Mac Pro, or a Mac Studio. Thus, you may adjust the brightness of your monitor by pressing Control + Brightness Up and Control + Brightness Down on external monitors.
However, take into account that this will require support from your display.
Adjusting your Volume Levels
Similarly, as mentioned above regarding adjusting the brightness level of the screen, the Mac allows you to tune your volume. When you use the specific volume buttons on your keyboard, this will adjust the volume to somewhere between either range. It functions exactly like the brightness slider option or a MacBook Pro’s Touch Bar.
Note, that you can either increase or decrease the sound volume in smaller amounts by pressing Option + Shift + Volume Down.
Now, when you notice that the volume indication is varying between one of the common increments that are stated on the squares in the pop-up slider you can see on the display. So, you know that you’ve adjusted the volume to a precise level.
In addition, you can access the sound options menu by pressing your keyboard’s Option and Volume Up keys together. This will help you to save several clicks and your time.
Mac Keyboard Shortcut For Airdrop
It’s all about transferring a file from your iPad or iPhone to your Mac.
Did you know there is a Mac keyboard shortcuts for that? Normally, you might need to manually launch the Finder window and navigate to the Airdrop section.
To begin, make sure that you are not running a app. Then, all you have to do is, simultaneously press the Shift, Command, and R keys on your keyboard. By doing so, you are simply taken to the relevant window where you can instantly Airdrop your files.
Emptying The Trash Without a Warning
One of the best features of MacOS (and Windows) is that you will be asked whether you wish to empty the trash. Typically, this is done to prevent erasing essential files.
If you truly want to erase files from your Mac without a warning, simply highlight the file and simultaneously press the Option+ Shift+ Command+ Delete keys on your keyboard.
Note, after this, all the files in your trash will be instantly removed without any confirmation or a warning.
Changing Finder Views Using Mac’s Shortcuts
Finally, it’s about changing the finder view. So far you might be doing this manually with the help of toggle buttons at the top of the Finder. Knowing the keyboard shortcut to perform this sounds good. Isn’t it?
There are four Mac keyboard shortcuts provided by Apple that you might want to play about.
- Here, by pressing Command + 1, you can view the elements within the Finder window as icons.
- Next, you can display the things in a Finder window as a list by simply pressing Command + 2.
- Moreover, you can display the things in a Finder window in columns by pressing Command + 3.
- Finally, by pressing Command + 4, you can view the things in a Finder window in a gallery.
Especially, these shortcuts can be crucial when uploading a file to Teams or another app. Compared to using a mouse, switching between screens will be considerably simpler.
Apple’s Mac Keyboard Shortcut List
As you can see, the above mentioned are only the top five Mac shortcuts that most likely you weren’t aware about. There is a separate page maintained by Apple that comprises a complete list of commands that can be used with Mac devices. If you’re seeking for more, you might want to browse the list as its worthy.
Further, a ton of valuable information is covered, including information on Mission Control, document folders, Time Machine, servers, and much more.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to Create a Custom Shortcut on Mac?
To begin, go to Apple menu > System Preferences, click Keyboard , then click Shortcuts. Then, Select App Shortcuts on the left, click the Add button , click the Application pop-up menu, and choose a specific app or All Applications. It’s that simple, so just give it a try.
Why is it that sticky keys exist?
With the support of Sticky Keys, Windows users with physical limitations can lessen the type of movement that leads to repetitive strain injury. Instead of asking users to press many keys at once, this feature serializes the keystrokes. A Modifier Key (Shift, Ctrl, Alt, Function, Windows Key) can also be pressed and released with Sticky Keys, which will keep it active until another key is pressed.
What does hotkey mean?
A computer keyboard’s “hot key” is known to be a single key or group of keys that, when pressed simultaneously, which executes an action (such launching an application) relatively faster than a mouse or other input device. However, these Hot Keys are sometimes known to be as shortcut keys.
What does command Shift Q do?
If you are new, Ctrl-Shift-Q is a native Chrome shortcut that instantly closes all of the open tabs and windows.