When you stop using the mouse for just about everything, your Mac becomes a much faster device. As for the shortcuts, learning how to leverage keyboard shortcuts mac works will allow you to copy text, switch apps, take screenshots, search for files, close windows and so on all in just a matter of seconds.
If you come to Mac from Windows, keyboard symbols can be confusing for beginners. The good thing is that every single shortcut becomes simple once you know about these Command, Option, Control and Shift keys. How to work more efficiently with shortcuts (hack) on macOS — in simple language the most useful shortcuts are explained in this post
What Are Mac Keyboard Shortcuts?
Keyboard shortcuts involve hitting two or more keys in combination to activate something without going through a menu.
Instead of right-clicking selected text and selecting Copy, you press:
Command + C
To copy that into somewhere else, type:
Command + V
This might not seem like much, but if you do work, study, browse the internet, write (lots of), create, or more on your computer every day.
Understanding Important Mac Keyboard Keys
Understanding the most Common Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac Before learning how to use keyboard shortcuts are the main modifier keys on Apple keyboards.
| Key | Symbol | Main Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Command | ⌘ | Used for most common shortcuts |
| Option | ⌥ | Enables alternative commands |
| Control | ⌃ | Of System and App Functions |
| Shift | ⇧ | Modifies commands and capitalization |
| Function | fn | Enables function keys and special controls |
| Caps Lock | ⇪ | Keeps letters uppercase |
You will use the Command key more than any other. If you come from Windows, Command is the new key which replaces Ctrl for most common tasks.
10 Basic Mac Shortcuts You Should All Know
You are not required to memorize a plethora of commands right away. Begin with the shortcuts that you will use daily.
Copy, Paste, and Cut
Here are some of the most useful ones:
Comment: You only have to tell the program what you want it to do once!(“{0-}. Remember 3History; Command性 + C – Copy selected content
Command + V – Paste the content copied
Cut Command + X – Cut selected text or supported items
Shortcut KeysCommand + A — Select All
Command + Z – Undo what you just did.
Shift + Cmd + Z — Redo an action.
The shortcuts below apply to are applicable in many applications, browsers, text editors, email apps — basically any productivity software you use on your Mac.
Quickly Switching between Two Apps
When you frequently use multiple applications, using your keyboard to switch between them can be much more efficient than clicking icons in the Dock.
Press:
Command + Tab
You cannot unlock the Command key, and you can continue hitting Tab to cycle through open apps.
Fitted especially when running bit between a browser, document editor, messaging app and software.
You can also use:
Command + H– Hide the app that you currently use.
Command + M – Minimize the Window you are working on
Command + Q — Quit App
Closing current window/tab: Command + W
That is, closing a window and quitting an application are not necessarily synonymous on macOS.
Useful Finder Keyboard Shortcuts
Finder is the default file wrapping tool on Mac. This is where you look through documents, downloads, photos, folders, drive and connected devices.
Useful Finder shortcuts include:
Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac — Opening Finder Command + N – New finder window
Shift + Command + N – Make a new folder
Command + Delete – Move the selected file to trash
Command + D – Duplicate Selected Item
Command + I – View information on a file
Spacebar – Preview a file selected with Quick Look
Quick Look is specifically helpful because it lets you quickly see many documents, images, and PDFs without opening in a different app.
Screencapture Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Screenshots are handy when you want to store info, write a tutorial, report a technical issue, or share something apparent on your screen.
Capture the Entire Screen
Shift + Command + 3
This captures everything currently displayed.
Capture a Selected Area
Shift + Command + 4
Crosscurl : Your pointer will become a crosshair. Simply drag over the area you wish to capture.
Open Screenshot and Recording Controls
Shift + Command + 5
This opens macOS screenshot controls, allowing you to take a window or screen recording.
One of the easiest ways to become more productive on a Mac is by learning screenshot shortcuts.
Search Your Mac With Spotlight
Spotlight is an essential component of mastering keyboard shortcuts mac.
Press:
Command + Spacebar
Next you type in the name of an app, document, folder or other item you want to find.
Spotlight may often be able to open an application within seconds without having to go through folders first.
For instance, Command + Spacebar type Calculator and hit Return.
Useful Browser Shortcuts on Mac
Browser shortcuts, if most of your work is done online, can come in handy and really help with navigation.
Commands mac browsers you use most of the time get support for:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open New Tab | Command + T |
| Close Current Tab | Command + W |
| Reopen Closed Tab | Shift + Command + T |
| Refresh Page | Command + R |
| Select Address Bar | Command + L |
| Find Text on Page | Command + F |
| Zoom In | Command + Plus (+) |
| Zoom Out | Command + Minus (-) |
Spoonfed: Several commands are especially handy for research, online shopping, working on the web or navigating multiple browser tabs.
Shortcuts for Files and Document Editing
If you are a Mac user who writes many emails, documents, articles, or reports on your computer; text-editing shortcuts simply come in handy.
Common options include:
Command + B – Bold text
Command + I – Italic text
Command + U – Underline text
Cmd+F – Search for a keyword
Command + S – Save your work
Command + P – Opening the printing options
These commands are supported by most applications, but may not all be available depending on the application.
Mac and Windows Shortcut Comparison
Because a lot of common shortcuts use different modifier keys, the shift from Windows to Mac can be jarring.
Here is a quick comparison:
| Task | Mac Shortcut | Windows Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Command + C | Ctrl + C |
| Paste | Command + V | Ctrl + V |
| Cut | Command + X | Ctrl + X |
| Undo | Command + Z | Ctrl + Z |
| Select All | Command + A | Ctrl + A |
| Save | Command + S | Ctrl + S |
| Find | Command + F | Ctrl + F |
| Command + P | Ctrl + P |
The best way to get used to it is simply to remember that Command basically supersedes Ctrl for all the usual jobs.
Link to this article: What you should do when any app stops responding
Some applications freeze or stop responding at times.
Method 1: Open the Force Quit Applications window
Option + Command + Escape
Select the frozen app and click on Force Quit
This should ordinarily only be used when the normal Quit command fails, to avoid losing any unsaved changes in the application.
Customizing Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
There are also configuration options for customizing some shortcuts that users can control under macOS settings — especially for those looking to streamline their workflow.
Instead, open System Settings, hit Keyboard, and see what keyboard shortcuts you can find. However, for your macOS version, you may customize access shortcuts such as modifying the keyboard keys defined for accessibility (even if it’s simply pressing ESC).
Custom shortcuts come in handy especially when you frequently execute a command from your own application that does not have its key combo available.
Do not use combinations that conflict with the macOS shortcuts.
How to Learn Keyboard Shortcuts Fast: Pro Tips
It is no easy task to memorize it all at once.
Rather, start with five or six shortcuts:
Command + C
Command + V
Command + Z
Command + S
Command + Tab
Command + Spacebar
Use for a few days straight. Introduce new shortcuts once these become automatic.
A good way to approach this is to use small little cheat sheet for the commands you will be using often, put it next to your desk until you remember what those commands are.
New mac user pitfalls
We came across a few common problems that people faced when learning how to use keyboard shortcuts mac for the first time.
Using Control Instead of Command
???Linked in postsIt helps to note that most users, especially Windows users, press Ctrl by instinct. Most familiar actions like copying and pasting use Command on Mac.
Mistaking Command + W for Command + Q
Command + W: Close a window or tab. Option+Q Quits the application completely.
Pressing Keys One After Another
Press the second key while holding on to modify key.
Expecting that All Shortcuts Will Work Everywhere
Finally, certain shortcuts are application-specific and similar behaviour is not guaranteed between different programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the one main hotkey for Mac?
The Command key is the main modifier for many of the commonly used shortcuts on macOS.
How do you use Ctrl + C in Mac?
Press Ctrl + c to copy selected content.
How do I paste on Mac keyboard?
Use Command + V.
Quickly switching between applications?
Press Command + Tab.
How do I make the file or apps search quickly?
Use Spotlight Search → Press Command + Spacebar.
Can keyboard shortcuts be changed?
Yes. Users can configure specific keyboard shortcuts in macOS via System Settings.
Conclusion
The easiest way to become faster on macOS is learning the keyboard shortcuts that mac users use every day. You do not have to learn every command possible. And just get familiar with at least and start using copy, paste, undo, save, app swap shortcuts then Spotlight and screenshot shortcut and after that keep expanding your knowledge.
When used regularly, those combos become second nature and help eliminate the need to switch between your keyboard, mouse, and trackpad constantly. It doesn’t matter if you use a Mac to work, study, create things or even browse the web — mastering keyboard shortcuts makes everything faster and easier.
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