MacMost: Archives

You have many options when it comes to transferring files between your Mac and iOS devices. You can keep it simple with AirDrop or iCloud Drive, or use a cable or Wi-Fi to move files, regular networking, the Finder, and more.

You can set up your iPhone so it listens for sounds like doorbells, glass breaking or a baby crying, and then alert you with a tone or a vibration.

The Desktop & Documents Folders feature of iCloud Drive lets you decide whether those two folders are stored only on your local Mac's hard drive, or as part of iCloud Drive and available across all of your Apple devices.

There are many ways to store and recall Web locations other than just plain browser bookmarks. Learn how to create lists and documents, add to contacts and events, even make Menu Bar and keyboard shortcuts.

When creating Shortcuts for the Mac or iOS you can use voice input easily when you trigger the Shortcut with Siri.

The Finder is easily controlled with a mouse or trackpad, but if you prefer to use your keyboard you can access most functions if you know the right keys to press.

The iPhone onscreen keyboard is something you probably use often, but do you know all of its time-saving features? Learn how to swipe-type, access character variations, use predictive text, access the hidden trackpad and more.

With so many features in so many apps, it is easy to overlook some very useful functions in apps you use every day. Learn about rarely-used features of Pages, Reminders, Calendar, the Finder and more.

While you can't change the default settings for new images in Pages, you can use techniques like custom Styles, duplicate, Media Placeholders and a template document to make it easier to place multiple images with the same settings.

You can test your network speed on a Mac using speed test websites or a simple Terminal command. You can also easily put that Terminal command inside a Shortcut and then easily run a speed test from the Menu Bar any time you wish.

Sometimes when you provide a photo to be printed or used in a publication, you will be asked about pixels per inch, or PPI. But PPI isn't really important. Only the number of pixels in the image matters, PPI is just a setting in the file.

Here's a list of things you should check for on your iPhone to make sure you are protected in case it is lost, stolen or someone tries to steal your information.

In most apps you can choose to Duplicate the current document, or use a hidden Save As command to do something very similar. What are the differences between the two commands and what other alternatives are there?

If the drive inside your Mac is too small, there are some ways to deal with it until you get your next Mac. You can put some things on external drives, use iCloud, offload apps, and try some other techniques.

Keyboard shortcuts are handy and save time, but some of the keyboard shortcuts you are using right now may not be the best way to go. Here are some examples of common keyboard shortcuts that have better alternatives in many situations.

There are many ways to select portions of text on a Mac. If you use your Mac to write, you should learn the keyboard techniques you need to select characters, words, lines and paragraphs.

Here are some fun things to try in the Messages app on your iPhone or iPad. You can send messages with special effects, send special links, respond with a reaction instead of a new message, easily include GIFs or stickers, add subject lines, send audio recordings, and so much more.

A new action in Shortcuts for Mac allows you to add a row of data to a Numbers spreadsheet. You can prompt for information and then record a time and some data. Numbers version 12 is required. An older technique allows you to change existing data in a Numbers spreadsheet.

The FN or Globe key on your Mac keyboard can be used to switch between special feature and F-keys, change what is shown on a Touch Bar, or can also be a used by itself to bring up the Emoji and Symbol Viewer, change Input Source, or start dictation.

When you sell, donate or recycle a Mac, you should absolutely erase your drive before it leaves your possession. With orders Macs that use spinning hard disk drives, you should secure erase it. But for newer Macs with solid-state drives you can't secure erase and it really isn't necessary. In most cases your old data was encrypted anyway.