Mac and MacBook how-to questions

Select the text or item, press Command + C to copy, click where you want it, then press Command + V to paste. To move instead of copy, use Command + X to cut. You can also use Edit in the menu bar.

Press Shift + Command + 3 to capture the whole screen, or Shift + Command + 4 to drag a selection. Shift + Command + 5 opens a toolbar with more options, including screen recording. Files save to the Desktop by default.

Click the trackpad with two fingers, or hold Control and click. If two-finger click does not work, turn on Secondary click under System Settings, Trackpad, Point & Click.

Press Option + Command + Esc, pick the frozen app, and click Force Quit. You can also click the Apple menu and choose Force Quit. Unsaved work in that app may be lost.

Hold Option and click the Apple menu, choose System Information, then open Power. Cycle Count is listed under Battery Information. On newer macOS, System Settings, Battery also shows battery condition.Read: MacBook Pro 16-Inch (2021) Battery Replacement Cost: $249 at…

Click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. The serial number is listed there, or under More Info on newer macOS versions. It is also printed on the underside of most MacBooks.

Open System Settings, click Displays, then switch on True Tone. Only Macs with a supported built-in or Apple display show this option. On older macOS, it is under System Preferences, Displays.

Open Finder and click AirDrop in the sidebar, then set Allow me to be discovered by to Contacts Only or Everyone. Drag a file onto the nearby person's icon. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth must both be on.

Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on, both devices are unlocked and close together, and AirDrop is set to Contacts Only or Everyone. Turn off Personal Hotspot and restart both devices if it still fails.

On macOS Monterey or later with Apple silicon or a T2 chip, open System Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings. Back up first, because this removes your data.

Click the Apple menu, open System Settings, then General, then Storage. It shows a breakdown by category such as Apps, Documents and System Data, with suggestions for freeing space.

Empty the Trash, delete large unused files and apps, and review System Settings, General, Storage for recommendations. Moving photos and files to iCloud or an external drive also helps.

Click the Apple menu and choose Restart. If the Mac is frozen, hold the power button until it shuts off, wait a few seconds, then press it again to turn it back on.

Hold the power button (Touch ID button on newer models) for about 10 seconds until the screen goes dark. Wait a moment, then press it again to start up. Save your work often to avoid losing changes.

Press Shift + Command + 4, then drag the crosshair across the area you want. Release to capture it. Press Space before clicking to capture a single window instead.

Press Shift + Command + 4, then press Space. The pointer turns into a camera. Click the window you want to capture. Hold Option while clicking to leave out the window's shadow.

Screenshots save to the Desktop by default. To change that, press Shift + Command + 5, click Options, and choose a different Save to location such as Documents or Clipboard.

Press Shift + Command + 5, choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion, and click Record. To stop, click the stop button in the menu bar. The video saves to your Desktop by default.

Press Command + Z to undo the last action. Press Shift + Command + Z to redo it. You can also use the Edit menu in most apps.

Press Command + A to select everything in the current window, document or folder. Then you can copy, move or delete the selection.

Press Option + Shift + Command + V to paste as plain text that matches the surrounding style. In some apps, the Edit menu has Paste and Match Style.

The Command key has a cloverleaf symbol (⌘) and sits on both sides of the space bar. It is used for most shortcuts, such as Command + C to copy.

The Option key, marked Option or alt, sits next to the Command key. It is used for alternate actions, typing special characters, and shortcuts like Option + Command + Esc to force quit.

Press and hold a letter key to see accent options, then pick one. You can also press Control + Command + Space to open the Emoji and Symbols viewer.

Press Command + Space, or click the magnifying glass in the menu bar. Type the name of an app, file or question and press Return to open the top result.

Hold Command and press Tab to cycle through open apps, then release to switch. Press Command + Shift + Tab to go backward. You can also click an app in the Dock.

Press Command + Q to quit the app fully. Clicking the red close button only closes the window, and the app may keep running. Right-click its Dock icon and choose Quit as another option.

Press Command + M or click the yellow button in the top left corner of the window. The window shrinks into the Dock. Click it there to bring it back.

Click the green button in the top left of the window, or press Control + Command + F. Press the same shortcut or move the pointer to the top to exit full screen.

Hover over the green button in a window's top left corner and choose Tile Window to Left or Right of Screen. Then pick another window for the other side. Newer macOS versions also offer drag-to-edge tiling.

Press F11, or Fn + F11 on some keyboards, to move all windows aside and show the desktop. You can also spread your thumb and three fingers on the trackpad. Repeat to bring windows back.

Swipe up with three or four fingers on the trackpad, or press the Mission Control key (F3) or Control + Up Arrow. It shows all open windows and your desktop spaces.

Open Mission Control and click the plus button at the top right of the screen to add a new desktop space. Swipe left or right with three or four fingers to move between them.

Press Command + Space, type Activity Monitor and press Return. It lists running processes and shows CPU, memory, energy, disk and network use. You can quit a stuck process from there.

Click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. It shows the model name, year, chip or processor, memory and macOS version.

Click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. The macOS name and version number appear near the top. In System Settings, General, About shows the same information.

Open System Settings, click General, then Software Update. If an update is available, click Update Now. Plug in your MacBook and back up first for a smoother install.

Common causes are too little storage, a weak Wi-Fi connection, or a Mac too old for the newest macOS. Free up space, restart, and check Apple's compatibility list for your model.

Connect an external drive, open System Settings, click General, then Time Machine, and add the drive as a backup disk. Backups then run automatically while the drive stays connected.

Open Migration Assistant, or use macOS Recovery and choose Restore from Time Machine. Connect your backup drive and select the backup you want. Restoring can take a while depending on size.

On Apple silicon, shut down, then hold the power button until startup options appear, select your disk, hold Shift and click Continue in Safe Mode. On Intel Macs, hold Shift while starting up.

On Apple silicon, shut down, then press and hold the power button until startup options appear and click Options. On Intel Macs, hold Command + R right after pressing power.

Only Intel Macs have an SMC. On a MacBook with a T2 chip, shut down, then hold Control + Option + right Shift for 7 seconds, add the power button for 7 more, then release and restart. Apple silicon Macs just need a restart.

On an Intel Mac, shut down, turn it on, and immediately hold Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds. Apple silicon Macs reset NVRAM automatically at startup, so no shortcut is needed.

On the login screen, click the question mark or Reset it using your Apple Account, if offered. Otherwise restart into Recovery, choose Utilities, then Terminal, and enter resetpassword.

Open System Settings, click Users & Groups, click the info button next to your account, and choose Change next to Password. Enter your old password, then a new one.

Press Control + Command + Q to lock the screen right away. You can also close the lid or choose Lock Screen from the Apple menu. You will need your password or Touch ID to get back in.

Open System Settings, click Bluetooth, make sure it is on, put your device in pairing mode, and click Connect next to it in the list.

Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, choose your network, and enter the password. If the icon is missing, open System Settings, then Wi-Fi.

Open System Settings, click Wi-Fi, then Advanced. Select the network under Known Networks, click the three dots, and choose Remove From List. Then you can reconnect with a fresh password.

Turn Wi-Fi off and on, restart your Mac and router, and check that other devices connect. Also try forgetting the network and rejoining. If it still fails, test with another network.

Open Keychain Access, search for your network name, double-click it, check Show password, and enter your Mac login password. Newer macOS also shows it in System Settings, Wi-Fi, under network details.

Plug the display into a Thunderbolt, USB-C or HDMI port, using an adapter if needed. Then open System Settings, Displays to arrange or mirror it. AirPlay also works with compatible TVs.

Use the brightness keys on the top row of the keyboard (F1 and F2), or open System Settings, then Displays, and drag the Brightness slider. Control Center also has a quick slider.

Open System Settings, click Appearance, then choose Dark. You can also choose Auto to switch between light and dark based on the time of day.

Open System Settings, click Displays, and choose a lower resolution option for larger items. You can also use Accessibility, Display, Text Size, or press Command + Plus in many apps.

Use the volume keys on the keyboard (F11 and F12 on older models, or the speaker keys), click the sound icon in the menu bar or Control Center, or adjust it in System Settings, Sound.

Check that the volume is up and not muted, and that the right output device is chosen in System Settings, Sound. Unplug headphones or Bluetooth devices, then restart the Mac.

Open System Settings, Sound, Input and check the right microphone is selected and the level moves. Then open Privacy & Security, Microphone and make sure the app has permission.

Open System Settings, click Privacy & Security, then Camera. Switch on the toggle next to the app you want. You may need to restart the app afterward.

Open System Settings, click Printers & Scanners, then Add Printer, Scanner or Fax. Pick your printer from the list. Most modern printers set up automatically over Wi-Fi or USB.

Open Finder, go to Applications, and drag the app to the Trash, then empty the Trash. For apps from the App Store, you can also use Launchpad: press and hold the icon until it wiggles, then click the X.

Press Shift + Command + A in Finder, or click Applications in the Finder sidebar. You can also click Go in the menu bar and choose Applications.

In Finder, press Shift + Command + Period to show or hide hidden files. Press the same keys again to hide them. Hidden files look slightly faded.

Click the file once to select it, then press Return, type the new name and press Return again. You can also right-click it and choose Rename.

Select the file and press Command + Delete to move it to the Trash. To permanently remove it, open the Trash and click Empty, or press Option + Shift + Command + Delete.

Right-click the Trash in the Dock and choose Empty Trash, or open it and click Empty. Press Shift + Command + Delete as a shortcut. Emptied items usually cannot be recovered without a backup.

Open the Trash and drag the file out or right-click it and choose Put Back. If it is gone from the Trash, restore it from a Time Machine or iCloud backup if you have one.

In Finder, press Shift + Command + N, or right-click in an empty area and choose New Folder. Type a name and press Return.

Right-click the file or folder in Finder and choose Compress. A .zip file appears next to the original. To unzip, double-click the zip file.

Double-click the .zip file and Archive Utility extracts its contents into the same folder. If it will not open, the file may be damaged or password protected.

Most common Windows files, like Word, Excel, PDF and JPG, open on a Mac with the matching app or Preview. Executable .exe files do not run on a Mac without special software.

Mac cannot run .exe files directly. You can use virtualization software with a Windows license, or a compatibility tool, though results vary. Check whether a Mac version of the program exists first.

In most apps, choose File, Print, then click the PDF menu at the bottom left and select Save as PDF. Preview can also export many files as PDF.

Open the PDF in Preview, click the Markup toolbar button, then the Sign button. Create a signature with your trackpad or camera, click to place it, and save the file.

Open the PDF in Preview and use the Markup toolbar to add text, shapes, highlights and signatures. For changing existing text, you generally need a dedicated PDF editor.

Open one PDF in Preview, show thumbnails from the View menu, then drag the second PDF's file into the sidebar. Choose File, then Export as PDF to save the combined file.

Open System Settings, click Desktop & Dock, then pick a browser under Default web browser. Some browsers also offer to set themselves as the default when you first open them.

Open Safari, click Safari in the menu bar, choose Settings, then Privacy and Manage Website Data. Click Remove All. You can also use History, Clear History to clear browsing data.

In Safari, press Shift + Command + N, or choose File, New Private Window. The window has a darker address bar and does not save history or autofill details.

Press Shift + Command + T in Safari or Chrome to reopen the last closed tab. Repeat to bring back more. In Safari, you can also choose History, Reopen Last Closed Tab.

Open System Settings, click Keyboard, then Text Input, Edit, and add another input source. You can then switch layouts from the menu bar or with the Globe key.

The Fn key sits at the bottom left of the keyboard and changes what the top row keys do. On some Macs the Globe symbol replaces Fn. It is also used for emoji and dictation shortcuts.

By default, the top row keys control brightness, volume and similar features. Hold Fn while pressing them to use them as F1 through F12. You can change this in Keyboard settings.

Slide two fingers up or down on the trackpad. By default, content moves with your fingers, known as natural scrolling. You can reverse it in System Settings, Trackpad, Scroll & Zoom.

Open System Settings, click Trackpad, then Scroll & Zoom, and switch off Natural scrolling. For a mouse, find the same option under System Settings, Mouse.

Open System Settings, click Trackpad, then Point & Click, and turn on Tap to click. After that, a light tap with one finger counts as a click.

Click and hold on the item, then slide your finger to move it. If you enable Dragging in Accessibility, Pointer Control, Trackpad Options, you can also use three-finger drag.

Open System Settings, click Battery, and look at Battery Health. It shows Normal or Service Recommended. Hold Option and click the Apple menu, then System Information, Power for cycle count and capacity.

Open System Settings, click Control Center, then scroll to Battery and turn on Show Percentage. The percentage then appears next to the battery icon in the menu bar.

Lower screen brightness, close apps you are not using, turn on Low Power Mode in Battery settings, and keep macOS updated. Avoid leaving the laptop in a hot place.

Open System Settings, click Battery, then choose Low Power Mode and set it to Always, Only on Battery or Never. It reduces energy use to stretch battery life, which can slow some tasks.

Restart it, quit apps you are not using, and check Activity Monitor for anything using lots of CPU or memory. Free up storage and install updates too. Slowness that continues may point to a failing drive or old hardware.

Common causes are low storage, too many apps running, outdated software or a misbehaving app. Restart, update macOS and your apps, and free up space. Frequent freezes can mean a hardware problem worth having checked.

It means the app or Mac is busy and not responding right now. Wait a minute, and if it does not clear, force quit the app with Option + Command + Esc.

Plug in the charger for at least 15 minutes, check the cable and outlet, and try holding the power button for 10 seconds. If nothing happens, it may need a battery, charger or logic board repair.

Check the cable, adapter and outlet, and clean the charging port gently. Try a different charger rated for your Mac. Also check System Settings, Battery for charging limits or optimized charging.

Heavy apps, many browser tabs, charging, or blocked vents can make a MacBook warm. Use it on a hard surface, quit unused apps and check Activity Monitor for runaway processes. Constant heat or loud fans can mean a repair is needed.

Fans speed up under heavy load, in hot rooms, or when vents are blocked. Check Activity Monitor for apps using a lot of CPU and close them. If it stays loud while idle, have it checked.

Open System Settings, click Wi-Fi, then Details next to your network. Your local IP address is listed there. For your public IP, search for what is my IP in a browser.

Open the Find My app, or go to icloud.com/find on another device. Select your Mac in the Devices list to see its location, play a sound, lock it or erase it. Find My Mac must be turned on in Apple Account settings.

Back up your data, sign out of iCloud, then use System Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, Erase All Content and Settings. On older Macs, use Disk Utility from macOS Recovery to erase the drive.

Use Migration Assistant, found in Applications, Utilities. Connect both Macs on the same Wi-Fi or with a cable, or use a Time Machine backup, and choose what to move.

Use an external drive formatted as exFAT, a cloud service, or Migration Assistant for Windows. For a few files, email or a shared network folder also works.

Open Disk Utility, select the drive, click Erase, then choose a format such as APFS for Mac only or exFAT for Mac and Windows. Erasing deletes everything, so back up files first.

Try a different port or cable, and check Finder Settings to make sure External disks are shown on the desktop and sidebar. Look in Disk Utility too. A damaged or unsupported drive may need repair.

Sign in to Messages with your Apple Account, then on your iPhone go to Settings, Messages, Text Message Forwarding and turn on your Mac. SMS texts then appear on the Mac as well.

Click the Apple menu and choose Sleep, or close the MacBook lid. Press Option + Command + Power (or Eject) to sleep it with a shortcut. Press any key or open the lid to wake it.

Click the Apple menu and choose Shut Down. Confirm if asked. If the Mac is frozen, hold the power button for about 10 seconds to force it off.

Press Command + Space to open Spotlight and type the file name. In Finder, press Command + F to search with filters. You can limit the search to a folder or file type.

Open Control Center and click Stage Manager, or turn it on in System Settings, Desktop & Dock. The current window stays in the center and other windows line up on the left. It needs macOS Ventura or later.

Open System Settings, click Wallpaper, and pick a built-in image or add your own photo. You can also right-click a picture in Finder and choose Set Desktop Picture.

Open the app, right-click its Dock icon, and choose Options, then Keep in Dock. You can also drag an app from the Applications folder straight onto the Dock.

Drag the icon out of the Dock and let go, or right-click it and choose Options, then Remove from Dock. This does not delete the app from your Mac.

Open System Settings, click Desktop & Dock, drag the Size slider, and turn on Automatically hide and show the Dock. You can also press Option + Command + D to hide or show it.

Open System Settings, click Desktop & Dock, and set Position on screen to Left, Bottom or Right. The Dock moves right away.

Open System Settings, click Displays, and choose a Default or More Space option. On some Macs, hold Option and click Scaled to see extra resolutions.

Open System Settings, click Displays, then Night Shift. Set a schedule or choose Sunset to Sunrise. It warms the screen colors at night, which some people find easier on the eyes.

Hold Control along with the screenshot shortcut, such as Control + Shift + Command + 4. The image goes to the clipboard so you can paste it with Command + V.

Open a photo or screenshot in Preview or Photos, then hover over the text until the cursor changes. Select the text and copy it. Live Text needs macOS Monterey or later on a supported Mac.

Open System Settings, click Keyboard, and turn on Dictation. Then press the dictation key or the shortcut shown there and speak. Your words appear wherever the cursor is.

Click the Siri icon in the menu bar or Dock. Turn Siri on first in System Settings, Siri & Spotlight if you do not see it. Then speak your request.

Sign in to the same Apple Account on your Mac and iPhone, turn on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Handoff, and keep them close. Copy on one device and paste on the other.

Open System Settings, click General, then AirDrop & Handoff, and switch on Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices. Your other devices need Handoff on too.

On a recent macOS with a supported iPhone, sign in to the same Apple Account, keep both devices near each other, and pick the iPhone as the camera in FaceTime or your video app.

Click the Control Center or AirPlay icon on your Mac, choose Display, and pick your iPad. Both devices need the same Apple Account, and the iPad must be a supported model.

Place a Mac and iPad close together, signed in to the same Apple Account, and push your pointer past the screen edge toward the other device. Turn it on in System Settings, Displays, Advanced.

Newer macOS versions can show your iPhone using the iPhone Mirroring app. Otherwise, use AirPlay or plug in the iPhone with a cable and use QuickTime Player, File, New Movie Recording.

Open the FaceTime app, click New FaceTime, type a name, number or email, and click Video or Audio. You need to be signed in with your Apple Account.

Open System Settings, click your name or Sign in, and enter your Apple Account. Then choose iCloud to pick what syncs, such as Photos, Drive, Contacts and Passwords.

Open System Settings, click your name, then iCloud, and then Drive. Switch on Sync this Mac. Your files then appear in the iCloud Drive folder in Finder.

Open System Settings, click your name, then iCloud. A bar at the top shows how much space is used, and you can click Manage to see which apps use the most.

Open System Settings, click your name, scroll to the bottom and click Sign Out. You will be asked whether to keep a copy of iCloud data on the Mac.

Open System Settings, click your name, and choose Sign Out. Then sign in with the other Apple Account. Back up first, because signing out can remove some synced data from the Mac.

Open System Settings, click Touch ID & Password, then Add Fingerprint and follow the prompts. Only Macs with a Touch ID button, or a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, support this.

Open System Settings, click Touch ID & Password, and turn on your watch under Apple Watch. Both devices need the same Apple Account, and the watch must be unlocked and worn.

Open System Settings, click Privacy & Security, scroll to FileVault and click Turn On. Save your recovery key somewhere safe, because you may need it if you forget your password.

Open System Settings, click Network, then Firewall, and switch it on. Use Options to choose which apps can accept incoming connections. It is off by default on many Macs.

Try to open it once, then go to System Settings, Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway near the bottom. Only do this for software you trust.

The app may be corrupted, incomplete, or blocked by Gatekeeper. Delete it, download a fresh copy from the developer, and check Privacy & Security settings. Avoid bypassing it for apps you do not trust.

Click the Downloads folder in the Dock or Finder sidebar, or press Option + Command + L in Finder. Safari also shows a download arrow in its toolbar.

In Safari, open Settings, General, and pick a File download location. In Chrome, open Settings, Downloads, and click Change. Other apps have their own setting.

In Finder, choose View, then Show Path Bar. The folder path appears at the bottom of the window. Right-click an item in it to copy the path.

Select the file in Finder, right-click, hold Option, and choose Copy as Pathname. You can then paste the path with Command + V.

Select the file and press Command + I, or right-click it and choose Get Info. A window shows size, type, location and permissions.

Right-click a file, choose Get Info, open the Open with section, pick an app, and click Change All. Confirm when prompted.

Select the file or folder, right-click, and choose Make Alias. You can move the alias anywhere, such as the Desktop. Option + Command while dragging also creates one.

Right-click a file in Finder, choose Tags, and pick a color or type a new one. You can then click the tag in the Finder sidebar to see tagged files.

Select a file in Finder and press the Space bar to preview it without opening an app. Press Space again to close the preview.

Use the view buttons in the Finder toolbar for Icons, List, Columns or Gallery, or press Command + 1, 2, 3 or 4. Choose View, Show View Options to adjust more settings.

Switch to List view with Command + 2, then click the Date Modified column header. Click it again to reverse the order. You can also use View, Sort By.

In Finder, choose View, then Customize Toolbar. Drag items into the toolbar or out of it, then click Done.

Open System Settings, General, Time Machine, click Add Backup Disk, and pick a compatible network drive or shared Mac. You may need to enter its login details.

Click the Time Machine icon in the menu bar if it is shown, or open System Settings, General, Time Machine. It lists the latest backup date and progress.

Disconnect extra accessories, check the charger, and try holding the power button for 10 seconds. If it still won't boot, try Recovery, then Disk Utility, First Aid. A repair shop can help if that fails.

The Mac cannot find a startup disk or macOS. Restart and try Startup Disk in Recovery. If the drive is not listed, the drive or its cable may have failed and need service.

A circle with a line through it means the Mac found a startup volume, but it cannot use that macOS. Try restarting, running First Aid in Recovery, or reinstalling macOS.

Open Disk Utility from Applications, Utilities, or from Recovery. Select your drive or volume in the sidebar, click First Aid, and then Run. It checks for and repairs disk errors.

Start in macOS Recovery and choose Reinstall macOS. It installs a fresh system and normally keeps your files and settings. Back up first with Time Machine in case anything goes wrong.

Apple does not offer a simple downgrade. You generally erase the Mac and reinstall an older version that your Mac supports, or restore from a backup made before the update. Back up first.

On Apple silicon, shut down, hold the power button until options appear, then press Command + D for Apple Diagnostics. On Intel Macs, hold D while starting. It reports reference codes.

Scheduled tasks like Power Nap, Bluetooth devices, a connected network or a notification can wake it. Check System Settings, Battery, Options, and turn off Wake for network access.

Open System Settings, click Battery, and look at Usage History or the list of apps. Activity Monitor's Energy tab also shows which apps use the most power.

Bright screens, many open apps, background syncing and old batteries can all drain it quickly. Check Battery in System Settings for usage, and Battery Health for Service Recommended.

Open System Settings, Battery, and check Battery Health. If it says Service Recommended, or maximum capacity is low and runtime is short, a replacement is worth considering. It usually costs $100 to $300 at a repair shop.

It commonly costs $300 to $800 or more, depending on the model and whether it has a Retina or Liquid Retina display. Newer MacBook Pro screens can cost more.

Lines or bars often come from a damaged display or loose cable, but a software glitch can cause them too. Restart first, then try Safe Mode. If it persists, the screen needs a repair.

Flicker can come from software, a display setting like True Tone, or hardware faults. Restart, update macOS, turn off automatic graphics switching, and try Safe Mode. Constant flicker may mean a screen repair.

Restart the Mac, check for dirt under the keys, and make sure Slow Keys or Sticky Keys are off in Accessibility. For an external keyboard, check the battery or cable and re-pair Bluetooth.

Crumbs or dust can jam keys, so clean around them with compressed air. If a few keys fail after a spill or the problem stays, the keyboard may need repair.

Turn the Mac off, hold it at an angle, and spray compressed air in short bursts across the keys. Wipe the surface with a slightly damp lint-free cloth. Avoid liquid cleaners and wetting the keys.

Turn the Mac off, then wipe the screen gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. If needed, dampen the cloth slightly with water only. Do not spray liquid on the screen.

Pinch two fingers together or apart on the trackpad to zoom in or out in apps like Preview or Safari. You can also double-tap with two fingers for smart zoom.

Tap a word with three fingers on the trackpad, or press Control + Command + D with the pointer over it. The Dictionary pop-up shows its definition.

Open System Settings, click Trackpad or Mouse and move the Tracking speed slider. For a bigger pointer, open Accessibility, Display, and use Pointer size.

Open the AirPods case near the Mac, or open System Settings, Bluetooth, and hold the case button until the light flashes. Then click Connect next to your AirPods. If signed in to the same Apple Account, they may show up automatically.

Make sure the printer and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi. Go to System Settings, Printers & Scanners, click Add Printer, and pick yours. AirPrint printers usually need no extra software.

Connect each display through the ports or a dock. Then open System Settings, Displays, to arrange or mirror them. Some Macs, such as base M-series chips, only support one external display without extra gear.

Open System Settings, click General, then Language & Region. Add a language and drag it to the top of the list, then restart apps or log out for the change to apply.

Open System Settings, click General, then Date & Time. Switch on Set time zone automatically using your current location, or turn it off and choose a city yourself.

Open System Settings, General, Date & Time, and turn on Set time and date automatically. Make sure the right time zone is set. Wrong time often points to a lost network connection.

Open System Settings, click Users & Groups, then Add Account. You need an admin password. Pick Standard for most people, or Administrator for full control.

Click the Apple menu and choose Log Out, or use the Fast User Switching icon in the menu bar if turned on in Control Center. Pick another user and enter their password.

Remove unneeded Login Items in System Settings, General, Login Items. Keep macOS updated and free enough disk space. Restart occasionally, and check Activity Monitor for heavy apps.

Open System Settings, click General, then Login Items. Select an app under Open at Login and click the minus button. This stops it from launching at startup.

Click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. Memory is listed there. Activity Monitor's Memory tab shows how much is in use right now.

Most newer MacBooks have memory built into the chip, so it can't be upgraded. Some older models and iMac or Mac mini versions have access, but it varies. Check your model first.

On many recent MacBooks the storage is soldered and cannot be upgraded. Some older models use a removable SSD. Check your exact model before buying parts.

Click the Apple menu and choose About This Mac. It lists the chip, such as an Apple M-series chip, or the Intel processor. This decides which macOS tools and shortcuts apply.