How to Check Which Apps Can Access Your Camera and Microphone on a Mac

Illustration for How to Check Which Apps Can Access Your Camera and Microphone on a Mac

Quick Answer To see which apps can use your Mac’s camera or microphone, open Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security. Select Camera or Microphone to view the permission list. An enabled switch means the app is allowed to use that device. An app that is not listed has not requested access, or … Read more

How to Use Live Translation on a Mac

Illustration for How to Use Live Translation on a Mac

Live Translation on a Mac can translate supported conversations in the Messages app and, on compatible Macs and languages, translate supported phone and FaceTime calls. To use it, make sure your Mac supports Apple Intelligence, update macOS, turn on Apple Intelligence, and download the language models needed for translation. Then open a conversation or call … Read more

How to Use Writing Tools on a Mac

Illustration for How to Use Writing Tools on a Mac

Apple Writing Tools on a Mac can proofread text, rewrite it in different styles, summarize long passages, and create lists or key points. You can usually access these tools from a selected block of text in a supported app by Control-clicking it or opening the Edit menu. Quick Answer To use Writing Tools on a … Read more

How to Use the Apple Games App on a Mac

Illustration for How to Use the Apple Games App on a Mac

The Apple Games app on a Mac brings games from supported sources into one place. You can browse your Mac game library, continue playing recently used games, see activity from friends, review challenges, and find updates. Games are still installed and updated through their original source—such as the Mac App Store, Steam, Epic Games Store, … Read more

How to Use the Journal App on a Mac

Illustration for How to Use the Journal App on a Mac

Apple’s Journal app is designed primarily for iPhone, but you may still be able to use your journal on a Mac through Apple’s supported syncing options and related apps, depending on the software and devices you use. If Journal is available on your Mac, open it from Applications or Launchpad, then select New Entry to … Read more

How to Manage App Permissions on a Mac

Illustration for How to Manage App Permissions on a Mac

Mac app permissions control what applications can access, including your camera, microphone, location, files, and other devices. You can review or change most permissions in Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security. To manage an app’s access, open System Settings, select Privacy & Security, choose a permission category, and turn access on or … Read more

How to Manage Login Items and Background Apps on Mac

Illustration for How to Manage Login Items and Background Apps on Mac

Quick Answer To manage Mac login items and apps that run in the background, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Under Open at Login, select an app and click the – button to stop it from opening automatically. Under Allow in the Background, use the switches to control … Read more

How to Force Quit an App on a Mac

To force quit an app on a Mac, press Command-Option-Escape, select the unresponsive app, and click Force Quit. Confirm the action when macOS asks. You can also open the Apple menu, choose Force Quit…, and select the app from the list. Force quitting closes an app immediately, without giving it the usual opportunity to save … Read more