The Option key unlocks hidden options in menus
Option
Hold Option and click Wi-Fi, sound, or an app menu — expanded options appear that you'd otherwise never see.
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Option
Hold Option and click Wi-Fi, sound, or an app menu — expanded options appear that you'd otherwise never see.
Select files, right-click, Rename — Finder can replace text, add sequence numbers, and format names with numbering.
Ctrl+Cmd+Space
The 🌐 (fn) key or Ctrl+Cmd+Space opens a panel of emoji and special characters — with built-in search.
Double-tapping the keyboard shortcut starts dictation wherever the cursor is blinking. It handles other languages surprisingly well.
Cmd+Shift+.
Cmd+Shift+period in Finder toggles hidden-file visibility. Handy for configs, backups, and cleaning up your drive.
Space
Select a file in Finder and press Space. PDFs, photos, video, and spreadsheets appear instantly — no waiting for an app to launch.
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Cmd+Option+V
The Mac has no Ctrl+X for files — instead, copy with Cmd+C and paste with Option: the file moves instead of copying.
Cmd+Option+Esc
Cmd+Option+Esc is macOS's version of Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Quit a frozen app in three seconds.
Cmd+Shift+G
You don't have to click through the folder structure. Cmd+Shift+G in Finder opens a field where you just type the path.
Cmd+Space
Cmd+Space opens Spotlight — the fastest way to launch anything on a Mac. You can practically stop using the Dock.
Cmd+Space
No need to open a calculator or google an exchange rate. Spotlight calculates and converts currencies and units right in the search field.
Cmd+Shift+4
Cmd+Shift+4 turns your cursor into a crosshair. Select an area and the shot lands on the desktop — or straight in the clipboard.
Cmd+Shift+5
Cmd+Shift+5 opens a panel that handles both screenshots and screen video — including area selection and a timer.
Cmd+Tab
The app switcher can do more than it looks — quit apps, hide them, or switch between windows without ever letting go of the keys.