macOS Mojave release – 10 tips and tricks every MacBook and iMac user should know

macOS Mojave

macOS Mojave release and tips and tricks (Image: GETTY)

released its blockbuster with this latest software upgrade packed with new features and upgrades.

The new operating system is available right now and can be downloaded via the Mac App Store.

And, once installed, MacBook and iMac users will be treated to new features such as Stacks, Dark Mode, and improved security.

So, if you’ve made the jump to macOS Mojave, here’s some 10 top tips and tricks to make the most from this new software.

Top 10 Tips & Tricks for your Mac with macOS Mojave

SET YOU MAC TO DARK MODE

Dark Mode transforms your Mac with a dramatic, dark colour scheme that makes it easy to focus on your work and is also easy on the eyes.

It’s easy to toggle between appearances in Mojave by going to System Preferences > General and choosing Light or Dark appearance.

KEEP YOUR DESKTOP TIDY

Stacks can help even the messiest of desktops by automatically gathering files into tidy groups based on file type, like images, presentations, PDFs and text documents.

You can also choose to organise your stacks by date or by tags.

To open a stack, just click it and its files spread out neatly on the desktop. You can also scrub through Stacks to flip through thumbnails of the files inside.

On the trackpad, use two fingers to scrub or swipe through thumbnails of files in a stack. On the mouse, use one finger.

You can double-click to open a file, or drag it directly into an app or document.

macOS Mojave

The iMac and MacBook both get this upgrade (Image: APPLE)

A FASTER FINDER

With Gallery View, you can scroll through big previews of your files to visually identify the one you’re looking for.

You can easily scroll through images, PDFs, presentations, or any other document — helping you find the file by how it looks. And in the Preview Pane (Command-Shift-P), you can view all the metadata for files and edit them directly in Finder with Quick Actions.

Rotate images, combine files into a single PDF, trim video, and more — all without having to open another app.

SCREENSHOTS ARE NOW MUCH EASIER

Take screenshots — and even screen recordings — with ease.

Just use the keyboard shortcut Command-Shift-5 to bring up the new Screenshot utility.

After you take a screenshot, you can click on it to immediately mark it up with text and doodles.

Then send it off in messages or an email. There are even advanced options for choosing where to save your files and whether to include your mouse pointer.

macOS Mojave

A new Dark Mode changes the look of your desktop (Image: APPLE)

SAFARI UPDATE

If you regularly keep lots of tabs open in Safari, you can now enable website icons in tabs (often called “favicons”), allowing you to identify your open tabs at a glance.

In Safari Preferences, go to Tabs and check “Show website icons in tabs.”

AMO UP AN EMAIL WITH EMOJIS

Want to add a little more personality to your emails?

It’s easier than ever now in macOS Mojave.

The Mail app now includes a built-in Emoji picker. Simply open a compose window in Mail and you’ll find the Emoji picker up in the right hand corner.

macOS Mojave

Apple News now comes to the Mac (Image: APPLE)

macOS Mojave

Stocks is also now available (Image: APPLE)

CONTINUITY CAMERA SAVES YOU TIME

Now you can use your iPhone to shoot or scan a nearby object or document and have it automatically appear on your Mac.

Just use the context menu (right click) in Finder, Mail, Messages, Notes, Pages, Keynote, and Numbers to see a new option to Take a Photo or Scan Document right from your iPhone.

So you don’t have to make a trip to the copy room to get a perfect scan of a receipt or a permission slip.

NEWS COMES TO THE MAC

For the first time, popular iOS apps like News, Stocks, Voice Memos and Home are now available on your Mac.

With News, you can get all the news that matters to you in one app.

Your favourite topics, channels, and saved stories stay in sync between devices. And you can enjoy reading articles and viewing accompanying images and video on your beautiful Mac display.

macOS Mojave

macOS Mojave now includes a new Stacks feature (Image: APPLE)

BETTER PASSWORD PROTECTION

In macOS Mojave, Safari automatically suggests a strong, secure password whenever you create an account.

Even better, if you have reused passwords in the past, they’ll be flagged in Safari preferences > Passwords, so you can quickly update them to strong passwords and protect yourself from website account breaches.

And if you ever need to quickly pull up a password, you can just ask Siri.

macOS Mojave

The macOS Mojave update brings a new App Store (Image: APPLE)

CHECK OUT THE NEW APP STORE

macOS Mojave brings you a completely redesigned Mac App Store.

If you haven’t refreshed your Mac apps in a while, now is a great time to revisit the Mac App Store and check out some fun new apps for work or play.

New app tabs for Create, Work, Play and Develop highlight new app suggestions curated and brought to you by the Mac App Store editorial team.