# Mac tips that work. > Plain answers to everyday Mac questions: the built in way first, and an app only when it truly helps. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/tips/ ## Screenshots - [How to screenshot on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-screenshot-on-mac/): Press Shift, Command and 3 for the whole screen, 4 for a selection, 5 for the Screenshot toolbar. Steps checked against Apple's guides for macOS 13 to 26. - [How to screenshot on a Mac running macOS Sonoma](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/screenshot-on-mac-sonoma/): Screenshot shortcuts and the Screenshot toolbar on macOS Sonoma 14, with the Options menu, the floating thumbnail and how to copy to the clipboard. - [How to screenshot on a Mac running macOS Sequoia](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/screenshot-on-mac-sequoia/): Take screenshots and recordings on macOS Sequoia 15: shortcuts, the Screenshot toolbar, every Options menu item and where the files go. - [How to screenshot on a Mac running macOS Tahoe 26](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/screenshot-on-mac-tahoe/): Screenshot shortcuts on macOS Tahoe 26 plus what is new: the HDR or SDR Capture Format and recording a selected window. Checked against Apple's guides. - [How to screenshot on a Mac running macOS Ventura](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/screenshot-on-mac-ventura/): Screenshot shortcuts and the Screenshot toolbar on macOS Ventura 13, with Options, the floating thumbnail, copying to the clipboard and recordings. - [Where Mac screenshots are saved](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/where-mac-screenshots-are-saved/): Mac screenshots made with the keyboard shortcuts are saved to the desktop by default. How the file is named, and how to find one that is not there. - [How to change where Mac screenshots are saved](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/change-mac-screenshot-save-location/): Press Shift, Command and 5, open Options and pick a folder under Save to. How to choose Other Location, what the list means and how to check it worked. - [How to screenshot a single window on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/screenshot-a-window-on-mac/): Press Shift, Command and 4, then Space bar, then click the window. Hold Option to leave out the shadow. Steps from Apple's support pages. - [How to screenshot part of the screen on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/screenshot-part-of-screen-on-mac/): Press Shift, Command and 4 and drag over the area. Hold Space bar to move the selection, Esc to cancel. Steps from Apple's support article. - [How to take a screenshot to the clipboard on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/screenshot-to-clipboard-on-mac/): Add Control to any screenshot shortcut, for example Control, Shift, Command and 4, then paste with Command and V. Steps from Apple. - [How to turn off the screenshot preview on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/turn-off-mac-screenshot-preview/): Press Shift, Command and 5, open Options and untick Show Floating Thumbnail. What it changes and how to save the screenshot at once. - [How to record the screen on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/record-screen-on-mac/): Press Shift, Command and 5, choose a record tool and click Record. Stop from the menu bar or with Command, Control and Esc. QuickTime is the other way. - [What to do when the Mac screenshot shortcut does not work](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/mac-screenshot-shortcut-not-working/): If Shift, Command and 3, 4 or 5 does nothing, check the Screenshots shortcuts in System Settings, the Save to folder and the preview setting. - [How to screenshot a menu on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/screenshot-a-menu-on-mac/): Open the menu, press Shift, Command and 4, then drag over the items. To capture the menu bar, press Shift, Command and 4, Space bar and click it. - [How to include the mouse pointer in a Mac screenshot](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/screenshot-with-cursor-on-mac/): Open the Screenshot toolbar with Shift, Command and 5, click Options and turn on Show Mouse Pointer. Where Apple documents it and what it changes. - [How to copy on one Mac and paste on another](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/copy-paste-between-macs/): Sign in to the same Apple Account on both Macs, turn on WiFi, Bluetooth and Handoff, keep them close, then copy on one and paste on the other. - [What Universal Clipboard needs: WiFi, Bluetooth and Handoff](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/universal-clipboard-requirements/): Universal Clipboard needs nearby devices, one Apple Account, WiFi and Bluetooth on, and Handoff on. What Apple does and does not say. - [Universal Clipboard not working on a Mac: what to check](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/universal-clipboard-not-working-mac/): If copy and paste between Apple devices fails, check the Apple Account, WiFi, Bluetooth, Handoff and distance, then update and restart both devices. - [How to clear the clipboard and clipboard history on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/clear-clipboard-on-mac/): Copy something harmless to replace what is on the clipboard. On macOS 27 you can also clear Spotlight's clipboard history in System Settings. - [How to paste without formatting on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/paste-without-formatting-on-mac/): Press Option, Shift, Command and V to paste and match the style of the text around it. Apple's shortcut list, with a limit to know. - [How long clipboard history lasts on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-long-mac-clipboard-history-lasts/): On macOS 27, Spotlight clipboard history is kept for 30 minutes, 8 hours or 7 days, your choice. What Apple says for macOS 26 and 15. - [Mac copy and paste keyboard shortcuts](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/mac-copy-paste-keyboard-shortcuts/): Command and C copies, Command and X cuts, Command and V pastes. Apple's list also covers paste and match style, copy style and moving files in Finder. ## AirDrop and files - [How to AirDrop from a Mac to another device](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-airdrop-from-mac/): Send a file from your Mac with AirDrop in two ways: the Share button in an app, or the AirDrop window in Finder. Steps, requirements and the 30 foot range. - [AirDrop not working on a Mac: what to check, in order](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/airdrop-not-working-on-mac/): A short ordered checklist for AirDrop failing on a Mac: WiFi, Bluetooth, distance, the visibility setting, then a restart. Based on Apple's own guidance. - [AirDrop stuck waiting on a Mac: what to try](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/airdrop-stuck-on-waiting-mac/): If an AirDrop transfer on your Mac just waits, check that the receiver accepted, the distance, WiFi and Bluetooth and their setting, then restart. - [Is there an AirDrop history on a Mac? Where to look](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/airdrop-history-on-mac/): macOS has no AirDrop history list that Apple documents. Find what you sent or received, including AirDropped photos, in Downloads, the receiving app and Finder. - [AirDrop settings on a Mac: Contacts Only and Everyone](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/airdrop-settings-contacts-only-everyone/): How to choose who can AirDrop to your Mac: open Control Center, click AirDrop, pick Contacts Only or Everyone. Plus Everyone for 10 Minutes on iPhone. - [Where do AirDrop files go on a Mac?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/where-do-airdrop-files-go-on-mac/): Files you receive by AirDrop go to the app they came from or to your Downloads folder. How to find a received file when you cannot see it. - [AirDrop not showing up on a Mac: why a device is missing](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/airdrop-not-showing-up-on-mac/): If a device or contact does not appear in your Mac's AirDrop window, check Contacts Only and Everyone, WiFi and Bluetooth, and distance. - [How to AirDrop a large file or folder from a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/airdrop-large-files-mac/): AirDrop works best for a small number of files. Here is how to send a big file or folder from a Mac, and what to use when it keeps failing. - [How to AirDrop from a Mac to an iPhone](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/airdrop-mac-to-iphone/): Send a file from your Mac to an iPhone with AirDrop: set the iPhone to accept, share from the Mac and accept on the phone. Includes where files land. - [What is an AirDrop code on a Mac (macOS 26.2 and later)](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/airdrop-code-mac/): From macOS 26.2, a sender who is not in your contacts needs an AirDrop code. How it works, how long it lasts and how to end sharing with a person. ## System and battery - [How to check CPU and memory use on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/check-cpu-and-memory-use-on-mac/): Open Activity Monitor and click CPU or Memory to see what is using your processor and RAM, and how to read memory pressure. - [How to check your Mac battery health](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/check-mac-battery-health/): Open System Settings, Battery, and click the Info button beside Battery Health to see condition and maximum capacity. Also charge and longevity options. - [How to see which app uses the most energy on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/see-which-app-uses-the-most-energy-on-mac/): Open Activity Monitor, click Energy, and sort by Energy Impact or 12 hr Power to find the apps draining your battery, and spot apps keeping the Mac awake. - [How to turn on Low Power Mode on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/turn-on-low-power-mode-on-mac/): Choose Low Power under Energy Mode in System Settings, Battery, separately for battery and power adapter. Which Macs Apple says support it. - [How to quit an app that is using too much CPU](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/quit-an-app-in-activity-monitor/): Select the app in Activity Monitor, click the Stop button and choose Quit or Force Quit. What each does, and why not to force quit casually. ## Storage - [How to check disk space on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/check-disk-space-on-mac/): See how much storage is used and free on a Mac in System Settings, in Finder, and with one Terminal command. Includes why the numbers can disagree. - [What is System Data on a Mac, and can you delete it?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/what-is-system-data-on-mac/): System Data is the catch all in Mac Storage for files that fit no other category. What it holds, why it grows and what is safe to look at. - [How to find large files on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/find-large-files-on-mac/): Find the biggest files and folders on a Mac with Storage settings, Finder size sorting and two Terminal commands. Tested commands, and what not to delete. - [How to clear caches on a Mac safely](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/clear-caches-on-mac-safely/): Which cache folders on a Mac are safe to clear, how to check their size, and the rule that keeps you out of trouble: one app at a time, with the app quit. - [How to find duplicate files on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/find-duplicate-files-on-mac/): Two files with the same name may differ, and two with different names may match. How to find true duplicates on a Mac by comparing content. - [How to empty the Trash on a Mac safely](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/empty-trash-on-mac-safely/): Empty the Trash from the Dock, restore items with Put Back, delete one item, handle locked files, and set the Mac to empty it after 30 days. - [How to uninstall an app on a Mac and remove its leftover files](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/uninstall-app-and-leftover-files-mac/): Use the app's uninstaller if it has one, otherwise move it to the Trash. Then check the Library folder for the cache, settings and data it left behind. - [Mac storage still full after deleting files: why and what to do](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/mac-storage-full-after-deleting-files/): If your Mac still says storage is full after deleting files, the Trash, a lagging Storage screen, System Data or local snapshots are the usual reasons. - [How to check disk space on a Mac in Terminal](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/check-disk-space-in-terminal-mac/): The df command shows plain used and free space on a Mac, and du shows which folders are big. Commands tested on a real Mac, with what each flag does. ## macOS versions - [How to check your macOS version](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-check-your-macos-version/): Open the Apple menu, choose About This Mac and read the macOS name and number. Click the number for the build. Apple's list of current versions included. - [Latest macOS version: names and numbers of every macOS](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/macos-version-names-and-numbers/): The latest macOS is macOS 27 Golden Gate, version 27.2, on Apple's page checked 4 November 2026. Every macOS name and number back to Catalina 10.15. - [Which Macs support macOS Tahoe?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/which-macs-support-macos-tahoe/): Apple's list of Macs compatible with macOS Tahoe 26, covering MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and MacBook Neo, as published on 14 September 2026. ## Music - [How to control music from the menu bar on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/control-music-from-the-menu-bar-on-mac/): Add the Now Playing control to the menu bar in System Settings, then pause, skip or go back from any app. Steps, options and what it cannot do. - [Why Now Playing is not showing on your Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/why-now-playing-is-not-showing-on-mac/): If the Now Playing icon or notch card is empty, check the menu bar setting, whether the player reports to macOS, and how NotchStar handles Music and Spotify. ## Scripts and prompters - [How to look at the camera while reading a script](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/look-at-the-camera-while-reading-a-script/): Keep your eyes near the lens when you read from a script on a Mac: move the text next to the camera, shrink it, and set a steady scroll speed. - [How to record yourself reading a script on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/record-yourself-reading-a-script-on-mac/): Use QuickTime Player's New Movie Recording to film yourself while you read. Choose camera, microphone and quality, then save the file. - [How to format a script for a teleprompter](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/format-a-script-for-a-teleprompter/): Write a script you can read aloud without stumbling: short lines, plain words, marked pauses and no surprises. Includes a quick checklist. ## Clipboard - [How to see your clipboard history on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/see-clipboard-history-on-mac/): How to see what you copied on a Mac: Spotlight clipboard history on macOS 27, what Apple says for macOS 26 and 15, and when a clipboard app is worth adding. ## Timers and focus - [How to set a timer on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-set-a-timer-on-mac/): Open the Clock app, click Timers, set the time and click Start. Steps for pausing, naming and repeating timers, and what happens when your Mac sleeps. - [How to use the Pomodoro technique on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/pomodoro-technique-on-mac/): Run 25 minute focus blocks with short breaks on a Mac using the Clock app and a Focus, and see when a dedicated Pomodoro timer is easier. - [How to make a Mac stop playing music after a timer](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/stop-music-with-a-timer-on-mac/): Set a timer in the Clock app and choose Stop Playing in the When timer ends menu, so music or video stops on its own, for example before you sleep. - [How to use a stopwatch on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/use-stopwatch-on-mac/): Open Clock, click Stopwatch, press Start, Lap and Stop. Switch between digital and analog faces, and know that timing continues if the Mac sleeps. - [How to run more than one timer on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/run-several-timers-on-mac/): Add timers in the Clock app with Custom Timer or Presets, name each one, give it a sound, and see all of them at once. Steps and limits. - [How to stop notifications while you focus on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/focus-without-notifications-on-mac/): Turn on Do Not Disturb in Control Center or create a Focus in System Settings, choose who and what can get through, and schedule it by time or app. - [How to open the Clock timer from the Mac menu bar](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/open-the-clock-timer-from-the-menu-bar-on-mac/): Click the time in the menu bar, then the Clock widget, to start a timer or stopwatch faster. Also how to keep a timer visible while you work. ## Camera and calls - [How to test your Mac camera](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/test-your-mac-camera/): Open Photo Booth or QuickTime Player to see if your Mac camera works. Look for the green light, pick the right camera, and check app permissions. - [How to allow camera access for an app on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/allow-camera-access-for-an-app-on-mac/): Open System Settings, Privacy and Security, Camera, then switch the app on. Which apps are always allowed, and what to do if an app is not in the list. - [How to see which app is using your Mac camera](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/see-which-app-is-using-your-mac-camera/): Look for the green dot in the menu bar and click Control Center to open the privacy window that lists apps using your camera or microphone. - [How to fix a Mac webcam that is not working](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/fix-mac-webcam-not-working/): Apple's steps for a built in Mac camera that will not work: update, check Screen Time, allow the app, restart, and when to contact Apple. - [How to use your iPhone as a webcam on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/use-iphone-as-webcam-on-mac/): Mount an iPhone near your Mac, open FaceTime or a call app and choose the iPhone from the video menu. Requirements and fixes from Apple. - [How to use video effects on a Mac video call](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/mac-video-effects-for-calls/): Turn on Portrait, Studio Light, Reactions and other effects from the Video menu during a call. Which Macs and macOS versions Apple says support them. - [How to allow a website to use your camera in Safari](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/allow-camera-for-websites-in-safari/): Choose Safari, Settings, Websites, Camera to allow or block the camera for each site. Where this differs from the app permission list. ## Notes - [How to use Quick Note on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-use-quick-notes-on-mac/): Start a Quick Note with Fn or Globe and Q, or the bottom right hot corner. Where the notes are saved, how to start a fresh one, and how to add from Safari. - [How to turn off the Quick Note hot corner on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/turn-off-quick-note-hot-corner-mac/): The bottom right corner opens Quick Note by default. Change it in System Settings under Desktop and Dock, then Hot Corners, by picking another action. - [Quick Note keyboard shortcut on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/quick-notes-shortcut-mac/): The Quick Note shortcut on a Mac is Fn or Globe plus Q. What it does, how it differs from the hot corner, and what Apple says about changing it. - [Where are Quick Notes saved on a Mac?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/where-are-quick-notes-saved-on-mac/): Apple Quick Notes are saved in the Quick Notes folder inside the Notes app. How to open it, and how that differs from a scratchpad in the notch. - [How to use sticky notes on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/sticky-notes-on-mac/): A Mac has a built in sticky notes app called Stickies. How to make a note, change its color, make it float on top, and what happens when you close the app. ## The notch - [What is the notch on a MacBook?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/what-is-the-macbook-notch/): The notch is the cutout at the top centre of some MacBook displays that holds the camera. What it is, what Apple calls it and how macOS works around it. - [Why do MacBooks have a notch?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/why-macbooks-have-a-notch/): Apple added a camera cutout to the MacBook display in 2021 so the screen could reach closer to the edges. What Apple said and what it did not say. - [How big is the MacBook notch?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-big-is-the-macbook-notch/): Apple does not publish the notch size in its tech specs. Here is what Apple does list, and how apps and you can find the size on your own Mac. - [Does the MacBook notch have a camera and sensors?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/does-the-macbook-notch-have-a-camera/): Yes, the notch holds the camera. What Apple lists for it, where the green light is, and how to see which apps can use the camera. - [How to hide the notch on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-hide-the-notch-on-mac/): You cannot remove the notch, but you can make an app sit below it with Apple's Scale to fit setting or change how the menu bar looks. Steps and limits. - [What Scale to fit below built in camera does](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/scale-to-fit-below-built-in-camera/): How Apple's Scale to fit below built in camera setting works, where to find it in Get Info, which Macs it applies to and why it sometimes does not show. - [Menu bar icons hidden behind the notch: fixes](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/menu-bar-icons-hidden-behind-the-notch/): Mac menu bar icons disappearing behind the notch? Remove icons you do not need, use Menu Bar settings and Apple's Scale to fit setting. Steps in order. - [How to see all menu bar icons on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/see-all-menu-bar-icons-on-mac/): A short checklist for showing every menu bar icon on a Mac: Menu Bar settings, Control Center, app settings and what to do when the notch takes the space. - [How to make the Mac menu bar bigger or smaller](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/make-the-mac-menu-bar-bigger-or-smaller/): Use Accessibility, Display, Menu bar size to set the menu bar text to Large or Default, or change the display resolution to scale the whole screen. - [How to hide or show the menu bar on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/hide-the-menu-bar-on-mac/): Open System Settings, Menu Bar, then choose when the bar hides: Always, On Desktop Only, In Full Screen Only or Never. Move the pointer to the top to show it. - [Apple menu bar missing on a Mac: what to check](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/apple-menu-bar-missing-on-mac/): If the menu bar is missing on your Mac, check the automatic hide setting in System Settings, Menu Bar, then full screen mode and your display settings. - [Mac clock not showing in the menu bar](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/mac-clock-not-showing-in-menu-bar/): If the clock is missing from your Mac menu bar, open System Settings, Menu Bar, find Clock in Menu Bar Controls and check the bar has room next to the notch. - [Dynamic Island on a Mac: what is real](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/dynamic-island-on-mac/): The Mac has no Dynamic Island. Third party notch apps imitate it around the camera cutout. What they can and cannot do, and what to check first. - [Do notch apps drain your Mac battery?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/do-notch-apps-drain-battery/): No honest single answer exists. What affects a notch app's battery cost, what has not been measured for NotchStar, and how to check any app yourself. - [Are Mac notch apps safe?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/are-notch-apps-safe/): Notch apps are ordinary Mac apps with ordinary risks. What to check before installing one: source, notarization, permissions, network use and account needs. - [What to do on a Mac with no notch](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/what-to-do-on-a-mac-with-no-notch/): A Mac without a notch has nothing to hide or work around. If you want notch style tools, some apps draw a floating pill at the top centre of the screen. ## MacBook models - [Which MacBooks have a notch?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/which-macbooks-have-a-notch/): The notch models Apple names: 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pro from 2021, and MacBook Air from the M2 in 2022. A list checked against Apple's tech specs. - [Does the MacBook Air have a notch?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/does-macbook-air-have-a-notch/): Yes on recent models: Apple's tech specs show rounded top corners from the MacBook Air M2 in 2022. The M1 Air from 2020 has no such note. - [Does the MacBook Pro have a notch?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/does-macbook-pro-have-a-notch/): Yes for the 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pro from 2021, per Apple's tech specs. The 13 inch MacBook Pro (M2, 2022) has a Touch Bar and no such footnote. - [The first MacBook Pro with a notch](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/first-macbook-pro-with-a-notch/): Apple introduced the notch on the 14 and 16 inch MacBook Pro on 18 October 2021. What Apple's press release and tech specs say about it. - [How to find your MacBook model and year](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/how-to-find-your-macbook-model-and-year/): Open the Apple menu, choose About This Mac and read the model name. Then match it to Apple's tech specs to see whether your MacBook has a notch.