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Apple’s desktop operating system is arguably the best reason to buy a Mac, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Thankfully, there are plenty of single-use apps to fix, tweak, and add the things that Apple forgot.
1Magnetfor Snapping Windows
Apple has pledged to add native support for window snapping tomacOS 15 Sequoia, but apps likeMagnetwill still have their place. This simple window management app lets you snap windows into position either by dragging or using keyboard shortcuts.
Magnet costs $4.99 on theMac App Storebut you can get similar functionality from the basic version ofRectangle, which is free.
2TripModefor Filtering Hotspot Traffic
If you ever use an iPhone personal hotspot to work on your MacBook remotely, you’re probably aware of how quickly you can burn through data.TripModeis an app that filters traffic whenever it detects that you are connected to a cellular hotspot.
By default, traffic will be blocked. This allows you to create an allow-list of apps that are mission-critical. You can then block the heavy hitters like Photos or your Mac’s background cloud syncing processes. Try it for free and then buy a single-use license for $17.
3Maccyfor Recalling Clipboard Items
Maccy is a clipboard manager for macOS that you can download for free from the project’sGitHub pageor for $9.99 on theMac App Store. The app stores your clipboard history for easy retrieval, with a global hotkey (by default Command+Shift+C) for quickly accessing the app.
The app is well-optimized so performance is solid, and you may easily customize things like how many items are saved (by default 200) and what the app looks like. You can even pin items to your clipboard for frequent retrieval.
4MacMediaKeyForwarderto Fix the Play/Pause Key
Apple’s media keys can be a little erratic. I like to listen to music using Apple Music while I work, but sometimes I find myself with random YouTube tabs open. It’s frustrating when pressing the Play/Pause key starts or stops a YouTube video instead.MacMediaKeyForwarderis an app that solves this problem.
The app limits the Play/Pause key behavior to Apple’s Music app or Spotify. No longer will pressing this key start random videos on background tabs!
5Amphetamineto Keep My Mac Awake
Sometimes you need to keep your Mac awake, andAmphetamineis the answer. This highly configurable free app is designed to prevent your Mac from sleeping, allowing you to keep your Mac awake in a variety of situations.
The app lets you sleep the screen but keep your Mac running, keep everything awake so that the screen remains on, or even close the lid without putting your MacBook to sleep (which requires the freeAmphetamine-Enhanceradd-on). you may configure triggers and hotkeys, use the app as amouse jiggler, and more.
6Homebrewfor Installing Software via Terminal
There aremany ways to install software on your Mac, but the easiest method is usingHomebrew. This package manager lets you install full applications and command-line utilities with a single command, and can even keep things updated for you.
Some applications and utilities rely on Homebrew as their primary method of installation, so it’s a good utility to have installed. Check outour full guide to getting started with Homebrewon your Mac and install it now by running the following command in Terminal:
7Speedtest CLIfor Testing Internet Speed
Speedtest by Ookla is one of the most popular internet speed test services, but it can be a drag having to open a new tab, navigate to the website, and click the “Go” button. The fastest way is touse the companion command-line utility.
First, install Homebrew (using the instructions above), and then install the official Speedtest command-line utility by running the following command in Terminal:
Once the app has been installed, you’re able to run a full internet speed test in Terminal any time you want using the following simple command:
The utility has a variety of flags so you can do things like specify a server, or exclude upload or download speeds. Check these out by running:
8Ulyssesfor Writing in Markdown
I write almost everything in Markdown, a lightweight markup language with easy inline text formatting. This makes it easy to publish on the web or export to HTML and other formats, but it’s also great for personal offline writing too. My app of choice isUlysses, a premium Markdown editor that costs $5.99 per month
Paying for a writing app makes sense if you’re being paid for your writing, but this isn’t ideal for everyone. Fortunately, there are some great free Markdown editors to choose from, withMarktextbeing a personal favorite.
9Apple Notes for Organizing My Life
I don’t pay for a fancy note-taking app, Apple’s pack-in app has everything I need. It doesn’t support Markdown (you’ll need an app like Obsidian for that), but it covers the basics like syncing with my iPhone so I’ve got everything I need on me wherever I am. It also supports advanced features like collaboration and supporting inter-note linking.
Switching from Evernote to Apple Noteswas one of the best things I did to improve personal organization. If you also rely on Android or Windows you might want to check outour note-taking app roundupfor some better recommendations.
10Hyperkeyfor Boosting Keyboard Shortcuts
Ever feel like you’re running out of keyboard shortcuts? You can always use a longer modifier combination like Control+Option+Command (and even add Shift), but things get complicated fast. An easier method is to use theHyperkeyapp torepurpose your Caps Lock key as a “hyper” keythat triggers these modifiers for you.
Then all you need to do is assign some shortcuts that depend on your new “hyper” key. So, for example, Instead of hitting Shift+Control+Option+Command+R to trigger a Shortcut, you can just hit Caps Lock+R instead.
