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Mac Setup

How to Set Up Your Mac for Maximum Productivity in 2022

Step 1: Optimize system settings

Trackpad & Mouse Settings

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Increase Tracking Speed (Must Change)
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System Preferences → Trackpad → Point & Click → Move Tracking speed to Fast

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Increase Mouse Speed (Must Change)
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Activate Tap to Click (Should Change)
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Enable Three-Finger Drag (Could Change)
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Dock & Menu Bar Settings

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Customize Dock Apps (Must Change)
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Add Volume Control to Menu Bar (Should Change)
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Hide Dock (Could Change)
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Disable Recent Applications (Could Change)
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Resize Dock (Could Change)
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Hide Menu Bar (Could Change)
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Notification Settings

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Customize Notifications (Must Change)
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Set Up Focus Mode (Should Change)
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Finder Settings

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Show Path Bar (Should Change)
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Configure Finder Sidebar (Should Change)
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Search Current Folder (Should Change)
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Show Status Bar (Could Change)
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Keep Folders on Top (Could Change)
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Display Settings

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Activate Night Shift (Should Change)
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Activate Dark Mode (Could Change)
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Security Settings

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Add Additional Fingerprints (Could Change)
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Desktop Settings

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Enable Stacks (Should Change)
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Add Hard Disks to Desktop (Could Change)
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Miscellaneous

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Change Default Browser (Should Change)
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Enable Keyboard Navigation (Could Change)
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Enable Hot Corners (Could Change)
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Step 2: Install system enhancements

System Enhancements

CategoryAssessmentApps
Window Snapping
Must Use
Best: Magnet, Free: Rectangle
Password Manager
Must Use
Best: 1Password, Free: LastPass
Spotlight Replacement
Should Use
Best: Alfred, Free: Raycast
Menu Bar Cleanup
Should Use
Best: Bartender, Free: Vanilla
Text Expansion
Should Use
Best TextExpander, Free: PhraseExpress
Clipboard Manager
Should Use
Best: CopyClip 2, Free: Maccy
Menu Bar Calendar
Should Use
Best: MeetingBar, Free: Next Meeting
Keyboard Navigation
Could Use
Best: Shortcat, Free: Vimium
Window Switcher
Could Use
Best & Free: HyperSwitch
Shortcut Remapping
Could Use
Best: BetterTouchTool, Free: Riverflow
Scroll Direction
Could Use
Best & Free: Scroll Reverser
Keep Awake
Could Use
Best & Free: Amphetamine
File Drop
Could Use
Best: Yoink, Free: Dropover

Step 3: Set up productivity apps

Productivity Apps

CategoryApps
Calendar
Best: Fantastical, Free: Apple Calendar
Notes
Best: Notion, Free: Apple Notes
Email
Best: Spark, Free: Apple Mail
Task Manager
Best: Todoist, Free: Apple Reminders

Find these and many more apps in the Productivity Apps Section.

Step 4: Install browser extensions

Browser Extensions

CategoryAssessmentExtensions
Password Manager
Must Use
1Password, LastPass
Ad Blocker
Should Use
Adblock Plus
Writing Assistant
Should Use
Grammarly
Media Ratings
Could Use
YouTube: Thumbnail Rating Bar, Netflix: Trim
Web Clipper
Could Use
Notion Clipper, Pocket
Web Scraper
Could Use
Simplescraper

Step 5: Optimize file management

Complete the File Management lesson in our Productivity School Masterclass in order to learn how to set up your folders and files in the most efficient way.

Step 6: Leverage keyboard shortcuts

Check out our ultimate list of the best keyboard shortcuts to find the shortcuts that can save you the most time.

Bonus: If you install the app CheatSheet, you can view all available shortcuts by holding down the ⌘ key.