Recover overwritten files & other Mac Tricks to improve productivity

Macs are used by millions of people from different professional and academic fields. What makes Macs the #1 choice of millions of people is its perfect combination of top-tier hardware and feature-packed software. The operating system of Macs, i.e., macOS, is deemed the perfect OS since it provides the users with tons of top-tier native functionalities and support for a plethora of major third-party applications. According to PCMag, macOS is better than its arch-rival Windows in more ways than one. 

Since Macs are deemed productivity-enhancing devices, users can conveniently perform any task easily by using top-notch features and functionalities. This article will cover some of the best Mac tips and tricks following which users can significantly enhance their productivity and get more work done in less time. Let us dive right into it:

Include Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Your Daily Workflow

One of the best ways to get work done in less time on a Mac is to use macOS’ default keyboard shortcuts. Doing so facilitates users to get things done easily and saves a lot of time, which they can utilize in performing other important tasks. macOS offers tons of basic as well as complex shortcuts. For instance, you can use the function keys present at the top of Mac’s keyboard to perform basic actions, such as adjusting the brightness, increasing or decreasing the volume, muting/unmuting, etc. Besides this, you can also use a combination of specific keys to perform tasks such as opening a specific application, creating a new folder, copying or pasting text, etc. If you wish to use your Mac’s features and functionalities to the best of your abilities, it would be best if you learn keyboard shortcuts and use them while working to save time and effort. 

Recover Overwritten Files

Your productivity can take a significant hit if you accidentally overwrite an important file. Hence, you should be careful while handling important digital files and data. However, macOS offers numerous ways of recovering files. Hence, if you are wondering how to get back a file you replaced, you can conveniently do so by using native and third-party utilities. For instance, if you have deleted a file by mistake, you can easily recover it from your Mac’s Bin. However, if you have overwritten a file, Time Machine is the macOS utility that will help you recover the previous version of the file. Besides this, you can also recover any lost file from your iCloud backup if you have one. If you wish to recover your file with a single click, you can opt for Disk Drill. This powerful third-party recovery utility features top-tier recovery and restoration tools. 

Use Siri

Siri, the intelligent personal assistant available on all Apple devices, can perform numerous activities at the beck and call of users. Therefore, if you are a Mac user and wish to save time, you can use Siri to perform different tasks. For instance, if you wish to send a message to a colleague or friend, instead of doing it manually, you can ask Siri to do it for you. Besides this, you can also use the personal assistant to set up a meeting, open a specific application, search queries on the Internet, etc. 

Declutter Your Mac

One of the things that significantly hinder users’ productivity and distracts them from focusing on the task at hand is a cluttered desktop and system. Hence, if a Mac is your primary device for working, you should frequently clean it by deleting unnecessary files, folders, and applications. Doing so will provide a significant boost to your productivity and enhance your Mac’s performance. If you think cleaning your Mac’s drives and desktop is a big hassle, you can opt for a third-party cleaning tool that can get the job done automatically. One of the best cleaning tools available for macOS users is CleanMyMac X. 

Use macOS’ native Dictation feature

If you use your Mac to write content or proofread documents, typing continuously can get very tiresome. One of the best ways of giving your fingers a break without interrupting your work is to use the native dictation feature of your Mac. You can easily access it from your Mac’s System Preferences utility present in the Apple menu. To access the useful feature, all you need to do is go to the “Keyboard and Dictation” section and turn on the feature. You can conveniently start using the feature by pressing the Fn key two times or manually selecting the “Start Dictation” feature present in the “Edit” section. Once you are done dictating, you can click on the “Done” option present underneath to stop your Mac from taking voice input. 

If you wish to boost your productivity and save and utilize time in other important activities, implement the Mac productivity tips mentioned above to achieve your goals.