Five ways macOS Tahoe makes you radically more productive

AppleInsider

Apple has added a lot of gloss to macOS Tahoe, but there are also five specific features that make a massive difference -- once you know they're there, and once you know their limitations.

The new macOS Tahoe comes replete with productivity features

Don't knock the Liquid Glass visual changes that have come with macOS 26, because most of them do surface features that can be missed, and most just make it quicker and easier to use your Mac. But there are also five really key new features that make updating to macOS Tahoe essential -- when it's out of beta testing.

1. Clipboard history

If you've been an Apple user for long enough, you may remember that the iPhone didn't get copy and paste at all for the first two years. The Mac, on the other hand, always had it -- but now it's built in the better Clipboard History that third party apps have offered for three decades.

You have to first call up Spotlight and then wait or press Tab to see the new controls

Instead of just copying something and then immediately pasting that somewhere else, you can paste the previous thing you copied using Clipboard History. Or the thing before that. Or the thing from yesterday morning.

No question, this is a big improvement. However, unfortunately, there's also no question but that Apple has taken baby steps into this productivity boon.

For one thing, this is now part of Spotlight and you wouldn't know unless someone told you. That's because if you call up Spotlight by pressing Command-Space, you get exactly what you got before.

You have to either wait a few moments, or press the Tab key to get more. Then the Spotlight bar splits into five sections, with Clipboard History at the far end. The first time you click on that, macOS Tahoe will tell you about clipboard management, and ask you to choose to enable it.

The reason you're asked this is that Apple's Clipboard History has a little problem. As macOS Tahoe warns you, "sensitive information may appear on the clipboard."

Clipboard History only works after you try it and confirm you want it enabled

What this really means is that there's a chance you copy a password to paste it into a site, and that stays on the clipboard. In practice, Safari is good at not letting you copy out a password.

But launchers such as Alfred 5 will let you specify that you don't want them to retain certain types of copied items. And Alfred 5 defaults to not keeping keychain items like passwords.

Since there's nothing you can do with Spotlight's clipboard history, there are no settings to change, just click Enable.

That turns on the feature and you must, it is that useful.

Only, this doesn't change how calling up Command-Space shows you the same old Spotlight. It doesn't change how you have to know to wait or to press Tab to see the options for Clipboard History.

But at least once you've got all of those controls up, you can press Command-4 to jump to the Clipboard History.

The new Clipboard History holds text and images that you've previously copied

Once enabled, Apple's Clipboard History feature works practically the same way as those in the long-standing third-party apps like Raycast and Alfred 5. In each case, you can call up the launcher and then take a further step to begin using their clipboard manager features.

Except Alfred 5 comes with the option of a separate keystroke that just goes straight to the clipboard manager.

And then Alfred 5 also offers something they should all do, but don't -- it features grouped clipboards. You can copy five different things and then paste them all in one go, in one spot.

That's great for researchers, for example. You could copy the URL of a paper, then copy the title, the abstract, maybe a key paragraph or five from the conclusion, and then copy the names of the authors.

Spotlight's Clipboard History is great, but Alfred 5 goes further and optionally lets you paste multiple things at once

Next you can turn to wherever you keep your research notes and with a single keystroke paste every one of those items into there, at the same time.

Spotlight doesn't have that. And Spotlight rather hides its clipboard history feature more than it should.

And yet, bringing a clipboard manager to Mac users who may never even have heard of such a thing, is a true productivity boon.

2. Spotlight direct actions

Also in Spotlight, you can now get to Mac features faster through Quick Keys. This one is going to take a little while to become an essential productivity tool, because one of its strengths is that macOS creates Quick Keys to suit what features you use.

But for example, right away you can open Spotlight with Command-Space, then type the letters "sm," followed by a space. And now you are immediately sending a message to someone.

Quick Keys let you rapidly get tasks done

Spotlight prompts you through what the message is and who you're sending it to, and then it just does the job for you. Or "ar" will add a Reminder, again prompting you for details.

This is another feature that Spotlight has adopted from launcher apps such as Raycast and Alfred 5. But being a native macOS app from Apple, it can have hooks into much more of the system.

Plus despite reportedly having hundreds of possible options, this is one new feature where Apple does surface the controls. When you open Spotlight and start typing something, it offers to create Quick Keys for you.

3. Shortcuts

There are great features and there are still some maddening ones with Shortcuts on the Mac. But what's new and working is excellent -- it's Apple Intelligence.

Apple executives have been doing the rounds lately, saying that Apple Intelligence is not about having a ChatGPT-like app that you turn to. Instead, it's about having AI benefit all of the Mac's features, it's about having Apple Intelligence integrate into your work instead of you having to stop that work to use it.

And easily the best, most productive example of that to date is how Shortcuts now has Apple Intelligence actions. You can directly use Writing Tools and their functions, but you can also pass more general prompts to Apple Intelligence.

Apple's adding of Apple Intelligence actions to Shortcuts is a boost for productivity

Nicely, you can have the Shortcut always answer with only your on-device Apple Intelligence. You can have it use Apple's fuller version online with Private Cloud Computer, or you can tell it to use ChatGPT.

Or you can say you want the Shortcut to ask you which you want, each time you run that Shortcut.

All of which is good, but it's your implementation of these actions that make the difference. So Apple gave an example of a student sending their lecture notes and an audio recording of that same lecture, so Apple Intelligence could see if they missed anything.

In just a very few steps, you can now build a Shortcut that records audio, transcribes it, analyzes it with Apple Intelligence, and pops it all out again in a format you can use in another app. So your rambling talking could quickly and automatically become a set of action points that are ready to pop into Reminders.

As great as that is, though, Shortcuts does truly remain maddening for what it so very nearly does. Some time in the late macOS Sequoia updates, Shortcuts on the Mac added an action to let you switch tab groups in Safari -- and it literally does not work.

Shortcuts still needs some work -- because this error is not a beta issue

If this had come in with the beta of macOS Tahoe, you would presume it responding with the phrase "internal error" was just a beta thing that would be fixed.

But the same tab group Shortcut action fails in the same way on macOS Sequoia.

So Apple still has work to do on basic Shortcuts actions, but it adding Apple Intelligence ones is a boon.

4. Live Activities

Live Activities

are an iPhone feature that means important information is displayed on the lock screen, and constantly updated. Flight details. Uber arrival times. Take out food delivery times. Sports scores.

It's a small thing that is particularly handy because it means you don't have to keep checking your iPhone, you can just glance at the screen.

As of macOS Tahoe, though, you don't even have to do that. Your iPhone can remain in your pocket, in your bag, or on your charging stand, and you can still immediately see Live Activities while you work on your Mac.

That's because Live Activities now appear in the Mac's menubar.

The iPhone's Live Activities now show up in the Mac's menu bar.

There's nothing else. No great further feature, just a display right there so you can see the small summary, or then click to get a pop up with more details.

Then clicking on that popout will launch iPhone mirroring and take you to the app concerned.

It's still the case that you have to start the Live Activity on your iPhone. And there is now the case that your menubar may be just a little bit crowded.

You can now control what apps get a spot in your menubar

But macOS Tahoe does have you covered there, at least a little. Regardless of an app's own settings, you can choose what does or does not appear in the menubar -- and when.

5. Phone calls

For some reason, the Mac has long notified you that you've answered a call on your iPhone. Like you hadn't noticed.

But now you can answer it actually on the Mac, and you can also place calls from there.

Assuming your Mac or your display has a microphone, that's all there is to it. Launch the phone app, place a call, and talk away as normal.

Having a true Phone app on the Mac means you never have to stop to pick up your iPhone

It's so straightforward as to be remarkably unremarkable, but it makes a difference. It is again a way of being able to carry on working and not have to pick up your iPhone.

Once you've tried it, you'll keep using it. It's one of those Apple things that immediately seems like the way it should always have been done.

And it's another way that macOS Tahoe helps you concentrate on getting your work done without distractions or interruptions.

Part of it all is how Apple presents controls and how it displays windows or options. But while all the hype is about visual changes, macOS has taken these five jumps forward in productivity for all users.



Read on AppleInsider

yellowtonkatoy

Regarding productivity, the one feature I’d really like to see in OS 26 across all devices is a way to duplicate a Calendar event complete with location data, without using the “repeat” function, and without having to cut and paste both the event information itself, and the location data separately.

anthogag

I still don't like using Shortcuts. It can be kind of convoluted to do something I need. It would be better is Apple Intelligence could be used to say "Siri, I need a Shortcut to...(do this)". 

commentzilla

How about plain text copy-paste? I never need all that bullshit formatting when copying text, except for hyperlinks.

appleinsideruser

commentzilla said:

How about plain text copy-paste? I never need all that bullshit formatting when copying text, except for hyperlinks.

Command shift option V — except, of course, Microsnot apps 

rhbellmor

Thank you, very good article explaining these new features.

usernameforappl

Switching off / blocking youtube is more realistic productivity increaser than OS upgrade.

dewme

In my opinion “productivity” is highly contextual so it always comes down to whether or not a particular “productivity” enhancement is going to help you perform the things you do easier, with less friction, and in a way that’s intuitive for you. I’ve tried various clipboard managers and have yet to find one that is essential to my workflow. When it’s nonessential I tend to forget it’s there so it becomes dormant ballast on my workstation. There are also other tools and utilities that get baked into my brain and I’d struggle without them. 

My point here is whether we want a computing environment, of which the operating system is a foundational component of, where you only add features that you need or one where every conceivable feature is built in and things you don’t use are ballast. Yeah, I totally understand that everyone’s needs can be very different. 

In my opinion a higher functioning clipboard manager has a rather narrow target audience. Those who use one know they need one have already sought out the one that best fits their needs. Everyone else is none the wiser for its absence. Apple adding one isn’t going to have much of an impact on the broader user base. No matter how much hay Apple tries to make with these highly promoted new niche features, if the uptake is tiny maybe they should be investing more in core features. 

libertyandfree

Number 5 is odd since I seem to have always been able to use my M1Pro MacBook Pro to answer my phone.   

brianjo

Does the phone app replace the FaceTime app?  Because FaceTime was very capable of answering phone calls for quite some time now.

OK, reading more into it, the phone app is far more than just answering calls.  That feature has existed for a long time.  What makes it better is it allows full access to your phone services, such making a phone call and accessing voicemail etc.  The article implies that answering a call is a new feature, which it clearly is not.

It seems silly that this and FaceTime are 2 separate apps though.  Just one extra icon to have in the dock now.

edited June 19

appleinsideruser

You could always (well not literally always) make calls my hovering over a number or right clicking it. But the phone app does sound like an improvement.

williamlondon

anthogag said:

I still don't like using Shortcuts. It can be kind of convoluted to do something I need. It would be better is Apple Intelligence could be used to say "Siri, I need a Shortcut to...(do this)". 

This is an area ripe with opportunity to make it easier to unlock and access solid functionality. Some of the shortcuts are easy to setup, but as you say, many/most of them are much more convoluted and require more engineering prowess, which puts the functionality out of reach of the masses. Hope we see more focus on this, it could really make a huge difference in productivity and usability with users.

9secondkox2

Good to know the beauty isn’t only skin deep. 

The ui itself will likely evolve quite a bit over the next year. But it’s already very nice. And the Zux Benefits are actually really great. 

Huge fan of easily accessible clipboard history without a third party app. Unfortunately, Mac OS currently doesn’t offer this as is from apple. Been wanting this for quite a while. 

pianoman1962

The phone app is a great idea, but a few years too late for me. I used to spend hours on the phone each week making appointments, with the phone wedged between my shoulder and cheek so I have both hands free for typing. It would have been soooo useful back then. Glad that I don't have to do that anymore; now I just send the occasional email. (Does anyone talk on the phone anymore? Everyone just seems to text nowadays).

pianoman1962

Macs have for a long time been able to answer calls. As I understand it, it's the ability to MAKE calls that's new. In fact, have all the functionality of the phone app on the iPhone.

appleinsideruser

Why are people in denial about this feature and dislike it when I point out it's an existing feature!?

To make a phone call via your Mac using your iPhone's cellular connection, follow these steps:

1. Ensure Prerequisites:
   • Your Mac and iPhone must be signed in to the same Apple ID for iCloud and FaceTime.

   • Both devices should have Wi-Fi enabled and be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

   • Your iPhone must be nearby.

2. Enable Calls on Other Devices on iPhone:

   • On your iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices.

   • Turn on Allow Calls on Other Devices.

   • Enable the switch for your Mac.

3. Enable Calls from iPhone on Mac:

   • Open the FaceTime app on your Mac.

   • From the menu bar, select FaceTime > Preferences (or Settings).

   • Check the box for Calls from iPhone.

4. Make a Call:

   • You can make calls directly from the FaceTime app by entering a phone number and clicking the audio call button.

   • Alternatively, click on phone numbers in apps like Contacts, Calendar, or Safari to initiate a call.

   • You can also use Spotlight search: press Command + Space, type the phone number or contact name, hover over the number, and click the phone icon to call.

5. Receive Calls:

   • When your iPhone receives a call, a notification will appear on your Mac. You can answer, send to voicemail, or respond with a message from there.

This setup allows you to make and receive calls on your Mac using your iPhone's cellular service without needing to pick up your phone, and you can use your Mac's audio devices for the call

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-to-make-a-phone-call-via-y-4wEobLI2TW6qIodcr0aw.g
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102405 — Make and receive phone calls on Mac or iPad

xed

libertyandfree said:

Number 5 is odd since I seem to have always been able to use my M1Pro MacBook Pro to answer my phone.   

appleinsideruser said:

Why are people in denial about this feature and dislike it when I point out it's an existing feature!?

To make a phone call via your Mac using your iPhone's cellular connection, follow these steps:

1. Ensure Prerequisites:
   • Your Mac and iPhone must be signed in to the same Apple ID for iCloud and FaceTime.

   • Both devices should have Wi-Fi enabled and be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

   • Your iPhone must be nearby.

2. Enable Calls on Other Devices on iPhone:

   • On your iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices.

   • Turn on Allow Calls on Other Devices.

   • Enable the switch for your Mac.

3. Enable Calls from iPhone on Mac:

   • Open the FaceTime app on your Mac.

   • From the menu bar, select FaceTime > Preferences (or Settings).

   • Check the box for Calls from iPhone.

4. Make a Call:

   • You can make calls directly from the FaceTime app by entering a phone number and clicking the audio call button.

   • Alternatively, click on phone numbers in apps like Contacts, Calendar, or Safari to initiate a call.

   • You can also use Spotlight search: press Command + Space, type the phone number or contact name, hover over the number, and click the phone icon to call.

5. Receive Calls:

   • When your iPhone receives a call, a notification will appear on your Mac. You can answer, send to voicemail, or respond with a message from there.

This setup allows you to make and receive calls on your Mac using your iPhone's cellular service without needing to pick up your phone, and you can use your Mac's audio devices for the call

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-to-make-a-phone-call-via-y-4wEobLI2TW6qIodcr0aw.g
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102405 — Make and receive phone calls on Mac or iPad

It's a dedicated app now and it's long overdue. I get that when the feature came out over a decade ago it was easy enough to connect to the FaceTime app when on the same local network, but it really should've been changed to its own Phone app a long time ago. 

The only downside I've encountered with this change is taht I can no longer take or make a call on my Mac and then switch to my iPhone mid-call. I hope this changes.

edited June 20

citpeks

Clipboard History is said to only retain items for 8 hours.

Those expecting to recall history items from the morning before might be a little disappointed.

rotateleftbyte

Funny how I've been using a Mac since 2008 and never knew I needed any of these features.

As for this...
Live Activities are an iPhone feature that means important information is displayed on the lock screen, and constantly updated. Flight details. Uber arrival times. Take out food delivery times. Sports scores.

These 'things' are the most annoying things about phones. I certainly don't want them cluttering up my Mac Screen. 
 
IMHO, these features might be useful for some users but not all by a long chalk.

appleinsideruser

Xed said:

libertyandfree said:

Number 5 is odd since I seem to have always been able to use my M1Pro MacBook Pro to answer my phone.   

appleinsideruser said:

Why are people in denial about this feature and dislike it when I point out it's an existing feature!?

To make a phone call via your Mac using your iPhone's cellular connection, follow these steps:

1. Ensure Prerequisites:
   • Your Mac and iPhone must be signed in to the same Apple ID for iCloud and FaceTime.

   • Both devices should have Wi-Fi enabled and be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

   • Your iPhone must be nearby.

2. Enable Calls on Other Devices on iPhone:

   • On your iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices.

   • Turn on Allow Calls on Other Devices.

   • Enable the switch for your Mac.

3. Enable Calls from iPhone on Mac:

   • Open the FaceTime app on your Mac.

   • From the menu bar, select FaceTime > Preferences (or Settings).

   • Check the box for Calls from iPhone.

4. Make a Call:

   • You can make calls directly from the FaceTime app by entering a phone number and clicking the audio call button.

   • Alternatively, click on phone numbers in apps like Contacts, Calendar, or Safari to initiate a call.

   • You can also use Spotlight search: press Command + Space, type the phone number or contact name, hover over the number, and click the phone icon to call.

5. Receive Calls:

   • When your iPhone receives a call, a notification will appear on your Mac. You can answer, send to voicemail, or respond with a message from there.

This setup allows you to make and receive calls on your Mac using your iPhone's cellular service without needing to pick up your phone, and you can use your Mac's audio devices for the call

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-to-make-a-phone-call-via-y-4wEobLI2TW6qIodcr0aw.g
https://support.apple.com/en-us/102405 — Make and receive phone calls on Mac or iPad

It's a dedicated app now and it's long overdue. I get that when the feature came out over a decade ago it was easy enough to connect to the FaceTime app when on the same local network, but it really should've been changed to its own Phone app a long time ago. 

The only downside I've encountered with this change is taht I can no longer take or make a call on my Mac and then switch to my iPhone mid-call. I hope this changes.

Makes sense @Xed, I agree that the phone app is an improvement. It's just disappointing that a those who pointed out you have been able to make calls from your Mac for a long time, seems to get troll flack. I guess sharing facts, can be fake news to some. 🤷

williamlondon

rotateleftbyte said:

Funny how I've been using a Mac since 2008 and never knew I needed any of these features.

As for this...
Live Activities are an iPhone feature that means important information is displayed on the lock screen, and constantly updated. Flight details. Uber arrival times. Take out food delivery times. Sports scores.

These 'things' are the most annoying things about phones. I certainly don't want them cluttering up my Mac Screen. 
 
IMHO, these features might be useful for some users but not all by a long chalk.

Well, if you don’t find utility in these features, they might as well remove them, or perhaps stop assuming it’s all about you. Good god.