How to Update macOS Safely

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The safest way to update macOS is to check compatibility, back up your Mac, connect it to power, confirm that you have enough free storage, and install the update from System Settings or System Preferences. Do not interrupt the Mac while the update is installing, and allow extra time for several restarts. Quick Answer Before … Read more

How to Share Files Between Two Macs

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The easiest way to share files between two Macs on the same network is to turn on File Sharing on the Mac that contains the files, choose which folders and users can access them, and connect from the other Mac through Finder. You can also use AirDrop for a quick, temporary transfer without setting up … Read more

How to Connect to a Shared Folder or NAS on a Mac

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You can connect to a shared folder or NAS (network-attached storage) on a Mac through Finder. Open Finder, select Go > Connect to Server, enter the server’s address—usually in the format smb://server-name/share-name—and select Connect. After you enter the required credentials, the shared folder appears in Finder under Locations and on the Mac desktop if external … Read more

How to Make and Receive Phone Calls on a Mac

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You can make and receive regular cellular phone calls on a Mac by connecting it to an iPhone signed in to the same Apple Account. After you enable Calls on Other Devices on the iPhone and Calls from iPhone on the Mac, you can start calls from FaceTime, Contacts, Safari, Mail, Maps, and other apps … Read more

How to Use Live Activities from iPhone on Mac

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Live Activities from your iPhone can appear in the menu bar on your Mac, allowing you to check ongoing updates without picking up your phone. These updates may include information such as a delivery, a sports score, a ride, or another time-sensitive event supported by an iPhone app. To use Live Activities on your Mac, … Read more

How to Scan Documents to a Mac Using an iPhone or iPad

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You can scan a paper document to your Mac with an iPhone or iPad using Continuity Camera. From a supported Mac app, Control-click or open the File menu, choose Insert from iPhone or iPad, select Scan Documents, and use your iPhone or iPad camera to capture the pages. The scan is sent directly to the … Read more

How to Copy Text from Photos and Images on a Mac

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You can copy text from a photo or image on a Mac with Live Text. Open the image in Photos, Preview, Quick Look, or Safari, move your pointer over the words until the text-selection cursor appears, and then drag across the text. Press Command-C or choose Edit > Copy. Live Text can also translate selected … Read more

How to Use Markup on a Mac

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Markup lets you add notes, highlights, drawings, shapes, signatures, and other annotations to PDFs, images, screenshots, and documents on a Mac. You can use it in Preview, Quick Look, Mail, and the screenshot tools without installing another app. Quick Answer To use Markup on a Mac: Open a PDF or image in Preview, or select … Read more

How to Customize Folder Colors, Symbols, and Emoji on Mac

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You can customize a folder on a Mac by changing its color, adding a symbol, or placing an emoji on its icon. In macOS Tahoe, Finder includes built-in folder customization tools that let you apply a color, symbol, and emoji without downloading another app. Quick Answer To customize a folder in Finder: Control-click the folder … Read more

How to Record Your Screen on a Mac

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You can record your Mac screen with the built-in Screenshot app. Press Shift-Command-5, choose whether to record the entire screen or a selected portion, select a microphone if you need narration, and click Record. When you finish, click the Stop Recording button in the menu bar or press Command-Control-Escape. macOS saves the recording as a … Read more