Top tips, tricks, and keyboard shortcuts for iMac

As you get started with your new iMac, here are some top tips, tricks, and keyboard shortcuts you can try.

Take a screenshot

Press Command + Shift + 5, then use the controls at the bottom of the screen to take a screenshot or record video. After you take a screenshot or video, a thumbnail appears at the bottom of the screen. Drag the thumbnail into a document or folder, swipe it to the right to quickly save it, or click it to edit or share.

Use hot corners

With hot corners, you can quickly start actions by moving the pointer to a corner of the screen. Go to System Settings, click Desktop & Dock , then click Hot Corners at the bottom. For each corner you want to use, click the pop-up menu, then choose an option.

Organize your desktop with Stacks

Keep the files on your Mac neatly grouped by file type or date. Control-click the desktop, then choose Use Stacks. To expand a stack, click it.

Favorite commonly used folders

You can add folders—like Music or Pictures—to the Favorites section of the Finder . In a Finder window, drag the folder below Favorites in the sidebar.

Find your files

Items you download from the internet are usually saved in the Downloads folder, which can be found on the right side of the Dock. To find where other files are located, open a Finder window. In the menu bar, choose View > Show Path Bar. The file’s location appears at the bottom of the Finder window.

Search and perform quick actions with Spotlight

You can search for files, photos, and more with Spotlight. You can also perform quick actions from the Spotlight window, like sending a message, setting an alarm, and converting currencies. Press Command-Space bar to open Spotlight.

A Spotlight search request with results below the search field.

To learn more, see Find what you need with Spotlight and Take actions and shortcuts in Spotlight.

Get more done with Siri AI

With Siri AI (Beta),* powered by Apple Intelligence, Siri is a more capable AI assistant that helps you find information and get more done. Press Command-Space bar to ask Siri a question, right in Spotlight, or click the dedicated Siri app in the Dock. You can also Control-click an item on your screen, then choose Ask Siri to ask a question. Siri uses Visual Intelligence so you can ask questions, search, or take action based on what’s on your screen. Press Command + Shift + Space bar to select a window or Command + Shift + 6 to select a portion of your screen, then choose an option that appears.

To learn more, see Get started with Siri AI.

Use your iMac with another Apple device

When you use your iMac with another Apple device—like your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch—you can take advantage of special Continuity features that let you use your devices in unique ways.

Note: For many Continuity features, both devices must have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on and be within 30 feet (10 meters) of each other.

Share items with AirDrop

Wirelessly send photos, videos, documents, and more to a nearby iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Click in the menu bar, then click to make sure AirDrop is on (it should be highlighted). Open the item you want to share, click in the toolbar, then click AirDrop.

Control your iPhone with your iMac

With the iPhone Mirroring app on your iMac you can use your iPhone directly on your Mac, as well as receive iPhone notifications and see Live Activities—so you never miss a thing.

Answer calls and texts on your iMac

Relay calls and texts from your phone to your iMac. First, set up your Mac to receive calls and texts, then you can make a call from your Phone app on Mac or respond by using Messages, making it easy to stay in touch.

Copy here, paste there

With Universal Clipboard, you can copy text, images, photos, and videos on one Apple device and paste them onto another. First, make sure you have Handoff turned on for both devices. Next, copy something on one device—for instance, copy a phone number on your iMac. On your other Apple device, like an iPhone, choose where you want to insert the phone number, then paste.

Insert sketches and markup images

With an iPad or iPhone, you can markup images and see the changes directly on your iMac. Control-click the file, choose Quick Actions, then choose Markup. In the toolbar, click , then use Markup tools to draw, add text and shape, and more with your iPhone or iPad.

Other ways to use your Apple devices together

For more Continuity features, like handing off tasks between your devices, using your iPhone as a webcam, and setting up your iMac to receive phone calls and texts, see Use Continuity to work across Apple devices.

Arrange your workspace

Change the layout of your app windows so that you focus only on what you need. With Stage Manager, you keep one app front and center, while your other open apps appear on the left side of your screen. To turn on Stage Manager, click in the menu bar, then click .

You can also tile your windows side-by-side or in a grid formation. To tile your windows, drag a window to the edge of your screen, then drop it when the highlight appears.

Keyboard shortcuts

You can press key combinations to do things on your Mac that you’d normally do with a trackpad, mouse, or other device. Here’s a list of commonly used keyboard shortcuts.

Command + X

Cut the selected item and copy it to the Clipboard.

Command + C

Copy the selected item to the Clipboard.

Command + V

Paste the contents of the Clipboard into the current document or app.

Command + Z

Undo the previous command. Press Command + Shift + Z to redo.

Command + F

Open a Find window, or find items in a document. Use Command + G to find the next occurrence of the item you’re searching for.

Command + M

Minimize the front window to the Dock. Press Command-Option-M to minimize all windows of the front app.

Command + N

Open a new document or window.

Command + P

Print the current document.

Command + S

Save the current document.

Command + Q

Quit the current app.

Want to learn more?

For more information on how to take a screenshot or screen recording, see Take screenshots or screen recordings.
For more about how to organize your desktop with Stacks, see Use desktop stacks.
For more about how to use folders and files in Finder, see Organize files with folders.
For more keyboard shortcuts, see the Apple Support article Mac keyboard shortcuts.

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