Get started with essential apps on your MacBook Air
Your MacBook Air comes with a wide variety of apps already installed, and many more available for download. Below are some apps to get you started.
To open an app, click it in the Dock. If the app isn’t in the Dock, click
See all apps on your Mac
Click the Finder
Tip: Every app that comes with your Mac includes built-in help. To learn how to use an app, open the app, then click Help in the menu bar.
Safari
Enjoy the internet with blazing-fast speed and powerful privacy protections built in. Safari syncs across all your Apple devices that use the same Apple Account, so you get the same Safari wherever you browse. To start browsing the web, click Safari in the Dock.
Messages
Send end-to-end encrypted messages and express yourself using text effects, emoji and sticker Tapbacks, and more. You can also set up your MacBook Air to receive and send texts from your iPhone, making it easy to keep in touch. To get started, click Messages in the Dock, then sign in to your Apple Account.
Photos
View and edit your photos and videos. Use intelligent, personalized features that help you find, enjoy, and share your best shots and memories. Sync your photos across all Apple devices with iCloud, or import photos from a device or camera. Click Photos in the Dock to get started.
Passwords
Easily access your passwords, passkeys, and other credentials in one place. Quickly sign in with AutoFill, get alerts for compromised accounts, and keep your passwords synced across your Apple devices. To get started, open the Passwords app .
Apple TV app
Watch live sports and subscribe to premium channels, streaming services, cable TV, Apple TV, and more. Click Apple TV in the Dock, sign in to your Apple Account, then subscribe to start watching.
Siri
When you turn on Siri AI (Beta),* you get a dedicated Siri app that brings all your conversations in one place, so you can ask a question and pick up where you left off at a later date, or on another Apple device when you’re signed in to the same Apple Account. Click Siri in the Dock to open the app, then ask a question.
App Store
The App Store is your one-stop shop to get new apps for your MacBook Air. You can also get the latest updates, view and manage subscriptions, and more. Click App Store in the Dock, then search for the app you want or click a tab in the sidebar—such as Create, Work, or Play—and browse through the results.
Productivity apps
Pages, Numbers, and Keynote are comparable to Microsoft Office, and are available as part of Apple Creator Studio. They aren’t preinstalled on your Mac, but you can get them from the App Store.
Pages Create any kind of document you want, from a simple word-processing document that’s mainly text, to a page layout document with graphics, interesting font treatments, and more. See the Pages User Guide. | Numbers Build spreadsheets with more than 250 functions and features to help you visualize and analyze data. Templates help you create budgets, invoices, team rosters, and more. See the Numbers User Guide. | Keynote Design beautiful and engaging presentations. Choose one of the more than 30 predesigned themes and make it your own by adding text and 3D objects, and changing the color scheme. See the Keynote User Guide. |
Want to learn more?
Your MacBook Air comes with many more built-in apps than the ones featured above.
Learn how to use FaceTime, Phone, and Mail to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues, near and far.
Want to stay organized and increase productivity? Check out how Calendar, Notes, and Shortcuts can help.
Find apps that are perfect for your MacBook Air. Check out Mac Essentialsin the App Store, or you can discover something new.
For a complete list of apps on your Mac, see Apps included on your Mac.