You know that feeling when all your Apple devices just work together seamlessly? It is one of the biggest reasons many people remain in the Apple ecosystem, but most are not even using half of the features that make it so powerful. From controlling your iPhone straight from your Mac to unlocking your Mac with your Apple Watch, there are hidden tricks that will change the way you use your devices. Let us explore 17 must-know hacks that will transform your daily routine and boost your productivity.
1. Universal Control
Universal Control allows you to use a single keyboard and mouse (or trackpad) across up to three Apple devices, such as a Mac and one or two iPads, while each device retains its own display and applications. To enable it, sign into the same Apple ID on all devices. On your Mac, open System Settings → Displays → Advanced, then toggle on ‘Allow your pointer and keyboard to move between any nearby Mac or iPad’. Once activated, simply move your cursor to the edge of one screen and it appears on the next device. This is ideal when you wish to draft notes on your iPad while viewing research on your Mac, or edit images on one screen and refine details on another, all without changing input devices.
2. Sidecar
Sidecar turns your iPad into a second display for your Mac, effectively giving you a portable external monitor. To set it up, open System Settings → Displays, click the ‘+’ icon, and choose your iPad under the ‘Extend Display’ option. You can also hover over the green full-screen button in any Mac app window and select ‘Move to iPad’. Sidecar supports Apple Pencil, so you can draw or annotate directly in Mac apps that accept stylus input, such as Photoshop or Illustrator, by moving the window over to your iPad. It is an excellent way to keep tool palettes on one screen while dedicating your Mac’s display to the main content.
3. Continuity Markup
Annotating documents and images across devices becomes effortless with Continuity Markup. If you select an image in Finder on your Mac, press the space bar, click the Markup icon, then choose ‘Annotate on iOS Device’, your iPad or iPhone opens the image in its Markup interface. Use your finger or Apple Pencil to add shapes, text, or freehand sketches; changes appear in real time on your Mac. This hack is perfect for signing PDFs, sketching quick ideas, or drafting thumbnail designs without complex file transfers.
4. Handoff
Handoff lets you start a task—such as composing an email in Mail, browsing a webpage in Safari, or drafting notes in Notes—on one device and continue it on another without missing a beat. To use it, ensure Handoff is enabled in System Settings on your Mac and in Settings → General → AirPlay & Handoff on your iPhone or iPad. When you begin typing an email on your iPhone, an icon appears in the Dock of your Mac; click it to pick up precisely where you left off. This feature streamlines workflows by eliminating manual exports or document saving.
5. Universal Clipboard
With Universal Clipboard, you can copy text, images, or other content on one Apple device and paste it on another, provided all devices are logged into the same Apple ID and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled. For instance, copy a URL on your iPhone, switch to your Mac, and press Command + V to paste it instantly. The clipboard synchronises automatically and clears after a short period, ensuring privacy and convenience when moving content between devices.
6. AirDrop
AirDrop provides a simple way to share files, photos, or contacts between Apple devices. Open the file or photo, tap Share, then choose AirDrop and select the nearby device. The recipient sees a prompt and can accept the transfer. No cables or networks are required, and transfers occur over an encrypted peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connection, making it both secure and lightning-fast for larger media files.
7. AirPlay
AirPlay allows you to stream audio, video, or mirror your device screen to an Apple TV, HomePod, or AirPlay-compatible speaker. In Music or TV apps, tap the AirPlay icon and pick your destination. For screen mirroring, open Control Centre and select Screen Mirroring, then choose the device. It is a handy way to share presentations on a big screen or play music through superior external speakers with minimal setup.
8. iCloud Passwords
Apple Passwords (formerly iCloud Keychain) securely stores your usernames, passwords, and passkeys and synchronises them across all your devices. In Settings → Passwords on iOS or System Settings → Passwords on macOS, you can view, add, or share passwords. When logging into a site or app, Safari or an iOS app suggests strong passwords and fills them automatically. You may also set up sharing of passwords or passkeys with trusted contacts, so everyone can access shared services without revealing the actual login details.
9. iPhone Mirroring on Mac
With macOS Sequoia or later, you can wirelessly mirror and control your iPhone directly from your Mac. Launch the ‘iPhone Mirroring’ app in your Dock or Applications folder. Your iPhone remains locked, but you may interact with apps and notifications on your Mac screen. To stop mirroring, hover over the window and click the close button. This is useful when you need to manage messages or apps without picking up your phone, keeping you focused on your computer tasks.
10. iCloud Central Hub
iCloud acts as the backbone of your Apple ecosystem, syncing photos, documents, and backups automatically. A photo taken on your iPhone appears in the Photos app on your Mac, while files saved to iCloud Drive on one device become available on all others. With end-to-end encryption for sensitive data, iCloud ensures your information is secure. Switching to a new device is seamless as your settings, apps, and data are restored from the cloud with minimal manual configuration.
11. Family Sharing
Family Sharing lets up to six family members share App Store purchases, Apple Care plans, subscriptions to Apple Music, Apple TV+, and more, without sharing Apple IDs. To set it up, go to Settings → Your Name → Family Sharing on iOS, or System Settings → Family Sharing on macOS, and invite members. Shared purchases download to individual libraries, and parental controls allow you to approve children’s requests for new downloads. It is a cost-effective method to keep everyone in the family on the same page.
12. AirPods Auto-Switching
Your AirPods know which device you are using and switch automatically. If you are listening to music on your iPhone and then begin a FaceTime call on your Mac, the audio seamlessly transfers. To check or modify this, go to Bluetooth settings on your iPhone or Mac, click the ‘i’ icon next to your AirPods, and adjust the ‘Connect to This [Device]’ option. This feature ensures your listening experience follows you, rather than forcing manual re-pairing each time.
13. iPhone as Apple TV Remote
If you ever misplace your tiny Apple TV remote, your iPhone’s Control Centre has you covered. Swipe down to open Control Centre, tap the Apple TV Remote icon, and select your Apple TV. You can navigate menus, type passwords using the on-screen keyboard, and control playback. It is an excellent alternative for those moments when the physical remote is out of reach.
14. iCloud Auto-Save for Productivity
Apps like Pages, Numbers, and Keynote automatically save your work to iCloud, so you never need to worry about manual exports or email attachments. Begin drafting a document on your iPad; as soon as you pause, iCloud syncs it. Open the app on your Mac and the file appears exactly where you left off. This eliminates version confusion and ensures that all updates are propagated instantly across all devices.
15. Focus Mode Sync
Set up Focus modes in Settings → Focus on your iPhone, and they propagate to your iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Whether you choose ‘Work’, ‘Personal’, or a custom focus, notifications and Home Screen layouts adjust across every device. This prevents distractions when you need to concentrate and re-enables alerts when you switch back to leisure. It is a simple yet powerful way to maintain balance and minimise notification fatigue.
16. Continuity Camera
Use your iPhone as a high-quality webcam for your Mac. In any video app such as FaceTime or Zoom, select your iPhone under Camera options. Position it on a stand and benefit from the superior camera sensor for sharper video calls. You may also enable Desk View to show both your face and an overhead view of your workspace, which is perfect for tutorials or unboxing videos.
17. Unlock Mac with Apple Watch
If you own an Apple Watch, you can set it to unlock your Mac the moment you approach it. In System Settings → Security & Privacy, enable ‘Use your Apple Watch to unlock apps and your Mac’. As long as the Watch is unlocked and on your wrist, waking your Mac from sleep or opening certain protected documents happens without typing a password. It saves seconds every time and feels remarkably futuristic.
Conclusion
The Apple ecosystem thrives on continuity and seamless integration. By mastering these 17 hacks, you unlock a new level of efficiency that feels almost magical. Whether you are a student juggling research notes, a creative professional balancing tool palettes, or simply someone who values time, these features work together to keep your workflow smooth and your focus sharp. Give them a try and discover how much more you can achieve when your devices truly communicate.
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