8 Common Problems for New Mac Users and How to Overcome Them
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A new computer operating system is always difficult to navigate, and macOS is no different. Most new Mac users have to unlearn habits from their former computers, typically running Windows, and relearn how to perform tasks in macOS.
While it is generally easy to adjust to macOS, there are still many problems that a new user will encounter. Most of them stem from the disparity in the design and fundamental hardware differences. Here we’ve outlined some of the most popular challenges new users encounter and how they can solve them.
1. Creating and Signing In to an Apple ID
You need an Apple ID to enjoyApple’s Continuity featuresacross all your Apple devices. You also need one if you want to download apps from the App Store or make use of iCloud. Lot’s of new Mac users accidentally miss out on all of these features by neglecting to creating or signing in to an Apple ID on their Mac.
you could sign in to and create your Apple ID the first time you set up your Mac, but if you chose not to do it then, you can still follow these instructions to do so:
2. Installing Apps Outside the App Store
The Mac App Store is the safest place to download apps, but not all popular apps are available there. For example, if you want to use Google Chrome, you’ll need to download it from the Chrome website instead of the App Store. But installing apps you got from different websites isn’t always so simple on a Mac.
By default, your Mac only allows you to open apps you downloaded from the App Store and identified developers. When installing an app from unidentified developers, you’ll get blocked by a warning that the app “cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified.” Thankfully, you’re able to turn still install the app by following these steps:
You can read more on how exactly to install these apps in our dedicated guide onhow to install Mac software.
After opening them, some apps will take you through an installation process where you will need to accept their terms and conditions. Others may ask you to drag the downloaded file to theApplicationsfolder instead.
3. Getting Used to the Trackpad
One of the features that may strike a new MacBook user as unwieldy is how the trackpad works. You might find that it scrolls in the wrong direction or doesn’t click when you tap it. Luckily, it’s easy to tweak your trackpad settings to get it to work to your liking. Four of the trackpad settings you want to change are might experience are:
Here’s where you need to go to change those settings:
4. There’s No Windows Button
The Mac’s keyboard doesn’t have a Windows button, and this might be a bit frustrating for new Mac users who are used to using it in Windows. However, instead of a Windows button, where you can search for apps and anything else on your laptop, the Mac has Spotlight for search and Launchpad to view all your apps.
Access Spotlight by pressingCmd + Space, then start typing your search term. Once you’re logged into your Mac, you can activate Spotlight from anywhere. Spotlight is also great for getting quick calculations, conversions, and definitions. You can even use it to perform web searches.
To view all your apps together in one place, click theLaunchpadicon next to Finder in the Dock. Or pinch with four fingers on your trackpad. You’ll see all your apps laid out on different pages. You can click to open one, or click and drag to move and reorganize them.
5. Learning to Use Finder
If you’re coming from Windows, you’re likely to feel lost without having access to File Explorer. Fortunately, macOS has an equivalent app to use instead: Finder.
Finder is that smiling blue face that you see in the farthest left corner of the Dock, and it is used formanaging files or folders on your Mac. Finder and File Explorer offer similar functions for managing the files on your system, even though they may appear different at first.
Just like File Explorer, you will find your major folders (Desktop, Downloads, Recents, and so on) in the left pane. You can also interact with files the same way you would in File Explorer. However, you won’t find the Devices and drives home screen you usually see in Windows File Explorer. Instead, you can find that information by going toSystem Settings > General > Storage.
We explored more on how different these two apps are in ourFinder versus File Explorerdebate.
6. Taking Screenshots
Taking screenshots on your Mac is simple but may not seem straightforward to new Mac users. Instead of looking for a Print Screen button on the keyboard, in macOS you’re able to use keyboard shortcuts to take a screenshot:
Screenshots save to the Desktop, but you can alsotweak the screenshot settings on your Macto change where they save.
7. Notes Keeps Popping Up
Does Notes keep popping up when you’re using your Mac? This only happens when you move your mouse to the bottom-right corner of the screen, and it’s called Hot Corners. When you customize it, it can be an efficient way to perform actions on macOS. But if you can’t get used to it, it can really slow you down.
Here’s how to disable the Hot Corners Quick Note feature:
8. Command Is the New Control
You might find that all your favorite keyboard shortcuts, likeCtrl + SorCtrl + Cdon’t work on a Mac. That’s because the Command (Cmd) key on a Mac serves a similar function as the Control (Ctrl) key on other computers. So most of those shortcuts will still work if you use Cmd instead of Ctrl.
Similarly, you may notice that there’s no Alternate (Alt) key on a Mac. Just use the Option key for this instead.
Using macOS Becomes Second Nature Over Time
When you start using Mac, the difference between macOS and other operating systems is always glaring. You may encounter any of the problems we’ve listed here, but following our steps to resolve them will give you the opportunity to further explore and get to grips with your Mac. Eventually, you’ll find all these difference feel normal to you and using a Mac will become second nature.
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