Migration Assistant is a tool from Apple that makes it incredibly easy to move your documents, apps, user accounts and settings from your old Mac to your new Mac, whether you're doing it directly or with a Time Machine backup.

With Migration Assistant you can also connect two Macs with Wi-Fi, Thunderbolt, FireWire, or Ethernet and transfer your data that way. Migrating all of your old data to your new computer means you can start working on your brand new Mac straight away. 

Migration Assistant is easy to use, but in this guide we'll walk you through the key steps and show you how to transfer data to your new Mac from your old Mac.

How to transfer data to your new Mac 

If you're setting up your first Mac, don't worry. You can also migrate your old PC data to your new Apple device. For that you'll need our how to transfer your data from your old PC to your new Mac guide.

If you already own a Mac, there are a few things you need to do before you transfer data to a new Mac from your old one.

• Update your software - You'll need to update your software first.
• Name your old Mac - If you haven't done so already, make sure your old Mac has a name. Open System Preferences > Sharing > and enter a name in the Computer Name field.
• Connect your old and new computers to a power source - Both devices need to be plugged into a power source to ensure that you don't run out of juice in the middle of the migration process.
• If you installed antivirus or firewall software on either Mac, turn that software off until after the migration is complete.

How to transfer data to your new Mac using Migration Assistant

Step 1: On your new Mac:

1. Click Go on your Mac's menu bar.
2. Choose the Utilities folder.
3. Open Migration Assistant

4. Click Continue.
5. Log into your Mac account, if applicable. This will shut down every open app on your Mac.
6. Select how you want to transfer your information: from a Mac, Time Machine backup, or startup disk.
7. Click Continue.

Step 2: On your old Mac:

1. Click Go on your Mac's toolbar.
2. Choose the Utilities folder.
3. Open Migration Assistant

4. Click Continue.
5. Log into your Mac account, if applicable. This will shut down every open app on your Mac.
6. Select the option to transfer to another Mac.
7. Click Continue.

Step 3: On your new Mac:

1. Select the other Mac option when asked to select a Mac, Time Machine backup, or another startup disk.
2. Click Continue.

Step 4: On your old Mac:

1. Confirm the security code shown on your old Mac is the same as the code now on your new Mac.
2. Click Continue.

Step 5: On your new Mac:

1. Select the information to transfer.
2. Click Continue.

After Migration Assistant is done, log in to the migrated account on your new Mac to see its files.

When you've finished transferring data to a new Mac from your old one

Your new Mac should have all of the data you selected to transfer. It should look almost exactly like your old one if you migrated everything.

If you don't want your old Mac anymore, check out our guide about how to sell your Mac. You'll need to rest it before you sell it, but we have a guide for that too: how to prepare your Mac for sale.

If you haven't got a new Mac to transfer your data to yet, but you're in the market for one, take a look at our MacBook Air (M2, 2022) review or our best MacBooks and best Mac desktops guides. 

iCloud is Apple's cloud-based storage service. It allows you to securely store your files, photos through iCloud Photo Library, passwords, notes and other kinds of data in the cloud. It offers other features too, like multi-device backup, syncing your calendars and more. You can then access everything from any Apple device, including the latest devices from the brand, like the iPhone 14 Pro and MacBook Air with M2. It's a great alternative to using one of the best flash drives instead for your iPhone. 

But which iCloud storage plan should you get? All iCloud accounts get 5GB of online storage space for free, but if you plan to use either the file storage or backup features, that 5GB can vanish in an instant.

Luckily, Apple provides a number of different paid storage options for its users, which are called iCloud+. So if you're close to your storage limit or have already run out, you might be considering the best Apple iCloud plan to cover your needs. Here's everything you need to know about iCloud+.

What are iCloud's storage tiers?

Apple currently offers four different subscription tiers, one that is the regular, free-to-use iCloud and three paid tiers for iCloud+. These subscriptions can be split between all the devices you're using. This includes iPhones, iPads, Macs, and supported Windows computers.

Note: If you're on a Family Sharing plan and purchase the $2.99 or $9.99/month plans, you can share your storage space with up to five other family members. While you'll share the total space, everyone will have private iCloud accounts and private storage, and individual members can always buy their own space if necessary.

• Free: 5GB of storage
• $0.99/month: 50GB of storage
• $2.99/month: 200GB of storage
• $9.99/month: 2TB of storage

Here's what counts toward your iCloud storage space:

• Anything you store in iCloud Drive
• App data stored in iCloud
• Contacts, calendar, mail, notes, and reminders data stored in iCloud
• Photos and videos stored in iCloud Photo Library
• iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch backups
• Any tracks you upload to your iCloud Music Library
• Desktop and Documents sync for macOS

Which is the best iCloud storage plan for you?

When debating which iCloud storage plan to choose, you should ask yourself a few key questions:

• Are you running out of iCloud storage space due to your iPhone and iPad backups alone?
• Do you use iCloud Drive to store your documents, or do you store files in another cloud service like Dropbox or Google Drive?
• Do you use iCloud Photo Library to store your pictures and videos, or another cloud photo service like Google Photos or Dropbox?
• Do you plan to use iCloud's Desktop and Documents feature to sync multiple Macs?

If you plan to regularly use iCloud's various features, you'll likely need the storage space to match. 

What about Apple One's storage plan?

Apple recently revealed a new all-in-one subscription service called Apple One, which bundles a number of Apple's key features together, including iCloud. 

Apple One consists of up to six Apple services, including Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and iCloud storage.

There's a total of three plans to choose from, and depending on which one you choose, you'll get more iCloud storage.

If you have friends and family who are also planning on buying iCloud storage, the Family Plan is great option. Not only you get 200 GB of iCloud storage, but you'll also get access to all the other Apple services you might already use.

The Premier Plan is also a great option if you need 2TB of space, plus all the other Apple services, including the upcoming Apple Fitness+, which is not available in other plans. And, just like with the family plan, if you plan to split the payment with five other people, it would actually be cheaper than just buying 2TB.

Although, international readers should keep in mind that the Premier Plan will only be available in the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

How to buy more iCloud storage

If you've decided which is the best iCloud storage plan for you, it's easy to upgrade right from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on the Apple ID banner at the top of the screen.
3. Tap iCloud.

4. Tap on Manage Storage.
5. Tap Change Storage Plan.
6. Tap on an available plan to upgrade your storage.

7. Tap Buy.
8. Enter your iCloud account password
9. Tap OK.

1. Open the System Preferences app.
2. Select the iCloud tab.
3. Click on Manage.
4. Click the Change Storage Plan button. (You may have to enter your Apple ID and password.)

5. Choose your new plan.
6. Press Done.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on the Apple ID banner.
3. Tap iCloud.

4. Tap on the Manage Storage.
5. Tap Change Storage Plan.
6. Tap Downgrade Options.

7. Choose which plan you want to downgrade to.
8. Tap Done.
9. Tap Downgrade.

1. Open the System Preferences app.
2. Select the iCloud tab.
3. Click on Manage.
4. Click the Change Storage Plan button. (You may have to enter your Apple ID and password.)
5. Click the Downgrade Options button.

6. Choose your new plan.
7. Press Done.

What other iCloud storage options are there?

If you're not sold on buying an iCloud storage plan, there are plenty of other cloud storage services available. If you want the best option for your budget, you can check out our guide to which cloud storage has the best value, which covers a range of options, including iCloud, Dropbox and more.

What about iCloud Photo Library?

Your iCloud Photo Library is where all of your photos are stored within your iCloud account. That means the storage option you choose will cover the Photo Library.

We've got plenty of guides to help you get you up-and-running and get the most of the service, including how to set up and use iCloud Photo Library on iPhone and iPad and how to back up your iCloud Photo Library.

Apple's Messages is a great app for communicating with pretty much everyone, since it handles both iMessages between Apple devices and even SMS text messages for non-iPhone users. However, since its inception, there have been many syncing issues that marred the reputation of Messages, such as erased threads only disappearing from one device, conversations showing up out-of-order, and more.

Apple added Messages to iCloud a few years ago, and it is a big improvement on keeping all of your Messages activity (yes, including text messages) in sync across multiple devices. Here's how to set it up on your best Mac or mobile device!

How to turn on Messages in iCloud

1. Make sure that you are logged in to the same Apple ID across all of the devices that you want to access your Messages in iCloud on.
2. On your iPhone, launch Settings.
3. Tap on your iCloud and Apple ID settings (your name and image at the top).
4. Select iCloud.

5. Tap Show All.
6. Tap Messages.
7. Toggle Messages to ON (green).

Once this is done, ensure that your iPhone 14 Pro is connected to a Wi-Fi network so that your entire Messages history can be uploaded for the initial sync. Apple doesn't want to drain your battery or cellular data plan doing this, so that's why you must be on Wi-Fi for the first sync.

After the syncing process (time depends on how much history you have, and larger files may need more time), that's it! All of your Messages history from your iPhone is saved in iCloud with tight end-to-end encryption, and can be accessed on any other device with your Apple ID as long as it's running iOS 11.4 or later.

But to get this working on your Mac, you'll need to do the following:

1. First, check and make sure that you're logged in to the correct Apple ID as your phone, otherwise, you'll find nothing.
2. Launch Messages on your Mac.
3. Open the Settings for Messages (⌘ and , or just click Messages and select Settings on the menu bar).

6. Go to the iMessage tab in the preferences settings.
7. Check off the box for Enable Messages in iCloud.
8. Your message history should synchronize after that box is checked. If not, click on the Sync Now button to force a sync.

Again, depending on your Message history, it may take a while for everything to download onto your Mac. Naturally, you'll want to be on a good, stable Wi-Fi connection when doing this, just to make sure there are no hiccups in the process.

After the initial syncing, from this point forward, everything should theoretically remain in sync with each other. This means when you get messages and reply, they should show up on all linked devices in the correct order, including images, videos, and other files. Anything you delete from one device should be deleted from the rest as well.

How exactly does Messages in iCloud work?

it's pretty easy, but here's how Messages in iCloud works:

• All of your messages, whether they're iMessage or SMS, are stored in iCloud using your Apple ID or iCloud account.
• Apple has end-to-end encryption on all of your messages while it's stored in iCloud, so your data is safe and secure as they get uploaded and downloaded on each device to keep everything synchronized.
• Photos, video, older messages, and other file attachments are stored in iCloud, so local storage on your device is spared.
• For users who backup their devices with iCloud, this means smaller backups, as Messages are no longer included in the backup due to the implementation of Messages in iCloud.
• When you get a new iPhone, iPad, or Mac, just enable Messages in iCloud on it with your Apple ID, and you'll get all of your Message history on it, rather than just new messages.

What to do if Messages in iCloud isn't working for you

Of course, even with Apple's tagline of "it just works," sometimes it really doesn't. Here's what to you should try if you're encountering some issues:

1. Give it time! Again, if you have a lot of Messages history, it will take time to upload and download all of that on other devices. Just be patient, and if it's not running smoothly after a while, then you can try these other steps.
2. Try cutting down on the number of files. To do this, navigate over to iPhone Settings, then General, select iPhone Storage, and then scroll down a bit to find Messages. Choose the type of media you want to get rid of, tap on Edit to pick files, and then delete them.
3. This may sound dumb, but make sure that you are logged in to the correct Apple ID on all of your devices. Some of us have more than one, so it's always a good idea to double check!
4. Try rebooting the devices involved. If that doesn't work, try turning Messages in iCloud off and back on again.
5. Check your Wi-Fi or cellular connections. Nothing can upload or download if the data connection is having issues. You can try toggling the Wi-Fi off and back on, or disconnect it completely and reconnect.

6. If none of those worked, then you may want to Reset Network Settings. On your iPhone, go to Settings, then General, scroll down to the bottom for Transfer or Reset iPhone, and then choose Reset > Reset Network Settings. This wipes your saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, and these settings go back to factory default. So you'll need to enter those Wi-Fi passwords all over again, but all of your other data remains where it is.

iMessage anywhere

Apple's Messages in iCloud have made life so much simpler, so you can easily access your messages and message history on any device. It even works for SMS messages. Keep an eye on storage space however. Photo and video messages can weigh down the cloud and your best iPhone, so you may want to delete these periodically to free up space. 

Touch ID is Apple's fingerprint identity sensor. It allows you to unlock your device, log in to apps, use Apple Pay, and make purchases from the App Store by touching and briefly holding your finger against the sensor. When it works, it's magical and you want it everywhere — your car, your house, your yacht, your one-person rocket to Mars — but when it doesn't, you want to throw your iPhone (or Mac) across the room.

What can make Touch ID failures even more frustrating is figuring out why it's failing in the first place. From the outside, it seems like the stereotypical black box. A fingerprint goes in and then it either works or doesn't, and if it doesn't, there's no way for us to see what went wrong, why, or how to fix it. Maddening.

There are, however, some things you can do to make it work better and more often.

How does Touch ID work?

On a supported Apple mobile device such as the iPhone SE (2020), there's a capacitive ring around the Touch ID sensor; on select Macs, the entire Touch ID sensor is capacitive. When the sensor detects a finger, it triggers a high-resolution image capture. That image is converted into a mathematical representation, which is then sent through the hardware channel to a secure enclave.

If the representation matches what's stored in the enclave, a "yes" token is released, and the Touch ID action is authenticated. If not, a "no" token is released, and all you get is a digital head shake. Every time Touch ID scans a finger and recognizes it, more detail gets added to the representation, theoretically to make it register even faster and better in the future.

Troubleshooting trippy Touch ID authentication

Here are a few tips and tricks to try if you're experiencing Touch ID issues:

• During the registration process, make sure you move your finger around enough that the entire surface gets scanned during the first stage, and that every edge gets scanned during the second phase.
• Any sweat or liquid on your finger at all can interfere with the scan. Wipe both your finger and the Home button off and dry them completely before using Touch ID.
• The sequential improvement process can sometimes go off-track (i.e., instead of getting better, an error can occur, and it can get worse). When that starts to happen, delete the fingerprint and re-register.
• On a supported iPhone or iPad, make sure your finger touches the capacitive metal ring and the Home button.
• Touch ID is super fast these days, but you should still refrain from lifting your finger too quickly.
• Try to keep your finger in one place when you're authenticating — you don't want to move your finger around too much.
• If you're rockin' a screen protector or case, you don't want it to cover up the capacitive ring or the Home button — that could cause errors with Touch ID authentication.
• If all else fails, it's time to head to the Apple Store for one-on-one support.

How to delete and re-add your Touch ID fingerprints

Sometimes you have to burn it to the ground and start anew. Here's how to re-add your Touch ID fingerprints on your Mac and supported mobile devices.

Follow these steps to delete your Touch ID fingerprints on any of the best Macs that support it.

1. Click on the Apple menu icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.
3. Choose Touch ID.

4. Hover over the fingerprint icon you wish to delete until you see the X in the upper left corner, then click on it.
5. Enter your password.
6. Press Delete to confirm.

Follow these steps to add your Touch ID fingerprints on Mac:

1. Click on the Apple menu icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.
3. Select Touch ID.
4. Click on Add a fingerprint.
5. Enter your user password and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you're having trouble with Touch ID on an iPhone or iPad, here's how you wipe the slate clean and start again!

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Tap on Touch ID & Passcode.
3. Type in your Passcode when prompted.
4. Tap on any fingerprint.

5. Tap on Delete Fingerprint. Repeat this until all your fingerprints are removed.
6. Select Add a Fingerprint...
7. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up a new fingerprint.

Back in-touch

Touch ID remains an efficient authentication option on select mobile devices and Macs. But when you encounter some trouble with it, you can always delete and reactivate your Touch ID with ease. And if you'd like to upgrade to Face ID, try the latest iPhone. 

Updated December 2022: Updated for the latest version of macOS.

Whether you are looking to use Boot Camp with your best Mac or just need to do some serious troubleshooting, knowing how to select a startup disk on your Mac is a big help. Here's how to select a startup disk in macOS Ventura.

What is a startup disk?

A startup disk is a partition of your drive that contains an operating system. If you want, you can choose what startup disk to use when you boot up your Mac. This is a practice used by many people who decide to use Boot Camp to access Windows and macOS on their Macs.

How to select a startup disk on Mac

The Startup Manager lets you choose a different startup disk during boot. So if you have your Mac partitioned to run Windows or a macOS beta, for example, you can select that startup disk instead of the default disk.

1. Shut down your Mac. 
2. On a Mac with Apple silicon: Press and hold the power button until “Loading startup options” appears. (For Mac mini, wait for the system indicator light to turn amber.) 
3. On other Mac computers: Press and hold the Option key and the power button simultaneously.
4. When you see the available startup disks, select the one you want.
5. Click the Continue button (on a Mac with Apple silicon) or the Up arrow (on other Mac computers).
6. The next time you restart your computer, it starts up from the disk you selected.

How to set a default startup disk 

1. On your Mac, choose the Apple menu.
2. Choose System Settings.
3. Select General in the sidebar.
4. Click Startup Disk on the right (you may need to scroll down.)
5. Select the icon of the disk you want to use
6. Click Restart.

Important note: When you select a startup disk, ensure you are selecting a network startup volume and NOT a network install image. If you select a network install image, that will trigger a reinstall of macOS and may erase your data.

A standard network volume icon appears as a globe with a folder. A network install icon appears as a globe with a downward-pointing green arrow. Be extra careful when selecting the right icon.

Other troubleshooting modes on startup

While knowing how to select a start disk can be important for troubleshooting reasons, there are a ton of different shortcuts you can take upon startup that may sometimes also be over services. So don't forget to familiarize yourself with those as well.

Apple's latest and greatest software update for Mac is out now. If you want to wait for it to automatically update, make sure your Mac is connected to power and be patient. If you just can't wait for all of the new features, here's how to update to the latest macOS version.

What's new in macOS?

Apple releases macOS 12.6.1 Monterey

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.6.1. The new version includes a number of security updates you can check out below:

AppleMobileFileIntegrity

Available for: macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur

Impact: An app may be able to modify protected parts of the file system

Description: This issue was addressed by removing additional entitlements.

CVE-2022-42825: Mickey Jin (@patch1t)

Ruby

Available for: macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur

Impact: A remote user may be able to cause unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution

Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed by updating Ruby to version 2.6.10.

CVE-2022-28739

Sandbox

Available for: macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur

Impact: An app with root privileges may be able to access private information

Description: This issue was addressed with improved data protection.

CVE-2022-32862: an anonymous researcher

Apple releases macOS 12.5.1 Monterey

Apple has just released macOS 12.5.1 Monterey to the public. According to the release notes, the update fixes a security vulnerability and Apple recommends users immediately install the update. The details of the issues fixed are below:

• An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
• Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Apple releases macOS 12.5 Monterey

Apple had introduced macOS 12.5 Monterey. This could be the final version of Monterey before macOS 13 Ventura arrives this fall. As the release notes show, this update is full of bug fixes. 

How to download and install macOS updates

1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

3. Click Software Update.
4. Click Update Now next to the macOS update.
   • Your Mac will need to restart after the download has been installed, so make sure you save your progress for any program you are currently working in.

How to turn on automatic updates

You don't have to manually update macOS every time a new one launches. You can turn on automatic updates and it will download in the background.

1. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

3. Click Software Update.
4. Tick the box for Automatically keep my Mac up to date.

Connecting an external display to your Mac should be as easy as connecting the HDMI or USB-C cable from your Mac to your display, but it seems that some people with M1 Macs are experiencing some trouble with this straightforward process. There have been reports of some of the best Macs not connecting to externals displays properly — flickering displays, black displays, blurry displays, or other issues. I even experienced it myself when I tried to hook up my best USB-B monitor to my blue iMac (2021), and my display refused to turn on.

While there is no one magic bullet fix for absolutely every monitor problem you could encounter with the M1 Mac, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve the issues. Here's what you should do to fix any problems connecting an external monitor to your M1 Mac.

1. Reconnect the display

If you plug in your external display and you notice it's blank, blurry, flickering, or just not functioning properly, try unplugging your monitor from your M1 Mac and connecting it again.

Sometimes this is all you need to do to get your Mac to cooperate. If this doesn't do anything, try the next step.

2. Try a different cable

Not all cables are created equal, and sometimes cables can stop working altogether if they get damaged. If your display doesn't want to work properly with your M1 Mac, try using a different cable.

3. Try a different port

If you're using a USB-C connection for your monitor, try a different port to see if that resolves the issue. Specifically, on the M1 iMac and the M1 Mac mini, you should be using a Thunderbolt port to connect to any monitor. Plus, if you're connecting your monitor via a USB-C hub, you'll want to try hooking that USB-C hub to a different port as well.

4. Reboot your Mac

Rebooting your Mac is a great way to shock the system and fix any niggling problems you might be experiencing. I would actually suggest trying two different types of reboots.

First, reboot your Mac and then plug in your external display once your Mac is powered on and you're logged in. If that doesn't work, try rebooting your Mac, but plug in your external display before you power on your Mac again.

5. Connect your monitor with display settings open

I know this sounds a little odd, but ultimately, it's how I got my external display to work with my iMac (2021).

Go System Preferences > Displays and then try connecting your external monitor to your Mac with that Displays menu open.

6. Call Apple Support

Unfortunately, if you've tried all the tips above, it may be time to call in the big guns. If your screen still isn't working, you'll want to give Appel Support a call, and they should be able to get you back on track.

Do you have any tips?

Did you fix issues with connecting your external display to your M1 Mac? Share your tips in the comments down below and help the community out!

macOS 12.6 Monterey is officially in the wild — or at least for Apple developers. This guide is for installing the developer beta of macOS Monterey. Want to download the latest public version of macOS? That's a slightly different process.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

What's new in the macOS Monterey beta?

Though not as feature-rich as macOS Big Sur, macOS Monterey is packed full of plenty of great features, including an updated Safari app, Shortcuts for Mac, new features in Notes, expanded FaceTime features, and much more.

The macOS Monterey 12.6 Release Candidate is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.5 Release Candidate is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.5 beta 5 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.5 beta 4 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.5 beta 3 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.5 beta 2 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.5 beta is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.4 RC is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The fourth macOS Monterey 12.4 developer beta is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The fourth macOS Monterey 12.4 developer beta also includes an extra element: the second Studio Display 15.5 developer beta. It's currently unclear exactly what the firmware update for the Studio Display will do, but it hopefully will attempt to continue to improve the camera.

The second macOS Monterey 12.4 developer beta is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.4 beta is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.3 RC is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.3 beta 5 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.3 beta 4 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.3 beta 3 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.3 beta 2 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.3 beta is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.2 release candidate is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.2 beta 2 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey 12.2 beta is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey RC 2 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey RC is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey developer beta 4 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey developer beta 3 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey developer beta 2 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The macOS Monterey developer beta is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The second release candidate of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The release candidate of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The tenth developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The ninth developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to get started with the download.

The eighth developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to get started with the download.

The seventh developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to get started with the download.

The sixth developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to get started with the download.

The fifth developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to get started with the download.

The fourth developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to get started with the download.

The third developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to get started with the download.

The second developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to get started with the download. This is NOT the first public beta version of mac OS Monterey.

The first developer beta of macOS Monterey is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to get started with the download.

Apple has announced macOS Monterey, the latest version of its Mac operating system. With a lot of new features to test and develop for, the developer beta for this update will be available later today.

How to make an archived backup of your Mac with Time Machine

Before you begin, make sure you back up your Mac. The download and installation process is fairly easy, but any time you make significant changes to your computer, you risk problems. When it comes to securing your data, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry. Even if you just backed everything up the night before, make sure your Mac is completely up-to-date.

1. Connect an external hard disk or Time Capsule with a USB, FireWire, or Thunderbolt cable.
2. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your screen.
3. Select System Preferences... from the dropdown menu.
4. Select Time Machine in the System Preferences window.
5. Turn the Time Machine slider On.
6. Click Select Backup Disk and choose the disk you'd like to use.

Time Machine will format the hard drive for backups and start within two minutes.

How to download the latest macOS Monterey 12.5 beta

Downloading the latest beta on your Mac is as simple as visiting Apple's developer portal.

1. Visit developer.apple.com on your Mac.
2. Click on the Discover tab.
3. Click on the macOS tab.
4. Click Download.
5. Log in with your developer account if prompted to do so.
6. Scroll down and click on the Install Profile button for macOS 12. The file will automatically download to your Mac.
7. Open your Downloads window and select macOS 12 Developer Beta Access Utility.
8. Double-click macOSDeveloperBetaAccessUtility.pkg to run the installer.

When the installer is finished downloading, System Preferences will automatically check for an update to macOS. Click Update to download and install the developer beta software. After the software has been downloaded, the installation process will begin as normal.

If the latest developer beta does not appear on the Updates list, restart your Mac. Then, open the Mac App Store and click the Updates tab.

The developer beta update can take a long time to finish downloading, depending on the size. You can check the status in the Updates tab of the Mac App Store.

How to install the latest macOS Monterey 12.5 beta

After macOS Monterey is finished downloading, you will be prompted to install the software automatically.

1. Click on Continue.
2. Agree to Apple's Terms and Conditions.
3. Click on Install.
4. Follow the instructions to install macOS Monterey.

Your Mac will reboot to install macOS . You'll see a black screen with the Apple Logo and a progress bar. Grab a cup of coffee while you wait for the software to finish installing.

How to the install the latest macOS Monterey 12.5 beta on a partition

To keep your Mac's data from getting corrupted by a beta operating system, you can partition your Mac's hard drive to run macOS Monterey in tandem with your current operating system.

1. Create a partition on your Mac if you haven't already done so.
2. Select Continue when the download is finished and ready to install.
3. Agree to the terms.
4. Click Agree to confirm that you have read the terms.
5. Select Show All Disks to switch from your main partition.
6. Select the partition you wish to install the software on.
7. Click Install.

The installation helper will allow you to transfer information from your current operating system, or you could choose to do a clean installation to start your Mac from scratch.

How to get started with the latest macOS Monterey 12.5 beta

Once your Mac reboots, you'll be set up with macOS Monterey. You'll have to follow a couple of steps to get started.

1. Click on Continue.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. iCloud will sync your desktop and other files.
3. Click on Get Started.

You'll be directed to your Home screen where you can start digging around to find all of the fun new features.

FaceTime is Apple's video chat feature built into iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Apple TV with AirPlay mirroring. You can call one person or a group of people (up to 32!), and thanks to Memoji and Animoji, it's also loads of fun. On an iPhone or iPad Pro with Face ID, you can stick an Animoji or Memoji right on top of your face and video chat with anyone in real-time.

There are also filters you can use to change how you look to others (like Comic Book or Watercolor) and stickers that you can drop onto your screen to make everyone laugh. Here's how to use FaceTime Memoji, Animoji, stickers, and filters on iPhone and iPad.

How to use FaceTime Memoji and Animoji on iPhone and iPad

Animoji are standard and already a part of iOS for iPhone X and newer and iPad Pro (2018 or newer). You can use different animals as your replacement head. They're there, and you don't have to do anything to set them up.

If you haven't taken the time to create your Memoji, you should do so before you start your first (or next) FaceTime call so you can surprise your friends and family with an adorable cartoon version of yourself.

**Note: ** Animoji are only available on devices with the True Depth camera system, which is iPhone X or later and iPad Pro (2018) or later.

1. Launch FaceTime and begin a call.
2. Tap the effects button in the lower-left corner of your live view.
3. Tap the Memoji button.

4. Tap an Animoji or Memoji.
5. Tap outside of your live view to go back to your FaceTime call.

When you tap an Animoji or Memoji, it will appear right over your head. You can talk and move your head around, and the Animoji or Memoji will mimic nearly everything your face does (including sticking out your tongue!).

How to use FaceTime stickers on iPhone and iPad

Did you know you can slap a sticker onto your screen while you're real-time chatting with someone on FaceTime? Pandas, robots, guitars, you name it. You can use Apple's built-in stickers or even third-party favorites, and you can move stickers around and change sizes, too — all while live-chatting with friends and family.

1. Launch FaceTime and begin a call.
2. Tap the effects button in the lower-left corner of your live view.
3. Tap a sticker pack. You can use the Memoji pack or a third-party app.

4. Tap and hold your finger on a sticker and drag it to your live view.
5. Pinch in or out on the sticker to change the size or hold and drag it to a new location if you want to move it.
6. Tap outside of your live view to go back to your FaceTime call.

How to use FaceTime filters on iPhone and iPad

Filters change the overall look of your camera view. It can be subtle, like adding a bit of warmth or coolness to the image, or it can be bold, like turning everything black and white. You can even give yourself a watercolor, ink, or comic book makeover while chatting in real-time.

1. Launch FaceTime and begin a call.
2. Tap the effects button in the lower-left corner of your live view.
3. Tap the Filters button.

4. Tap a filter.
5. Tap outside of your live view to go back to your FaceTime call.

Add a little fun to your video calls with FaceTime Memoji, stickers, and filters

With Memoji, Animoji, stickers, and filters, you can spice up a boring meeting or add a little life to a group chat with friends with just a few taps. For a quick laugh, try switching to one of the built-in Animoji animals, or for an ice-breaker, you can summon your Memoji that you decked out with your favorite accessories. To add extra emphasis while speaking, try slapping a sticker on top of an object (or yourself) or add a subtle filter to change the mood.

Updated June 2022: Updated for iOS 15.

When you're browsing the web with Safari, using tabs is a great way to keep all the web pages you want open without having multiple Safari windows. However, if you're like me, you end up using so many tabs that your Safari toolbar ends up looking really cluttered and it's impossible to tell what you even have open. Luckily, macOS Monterey has introduced Tab Groups on Safari.

Tab Group let you group various tabs together and then easily switch between them so you can keep all your tabs in one Safari window without having a bunch of tabs open on your toolbar. Here's how to create and use Tab Groups in Safari in macOS Monterey.

How to create new Tab Groups in Safari in macOS Monterey

Technically, the moment you open Safari, you're already in a Tab Group. Any tabs you open will automatically be in the default Tab Group, but you can follow these steps below if you want to make a new one.

1. Launch Safari on your Mac.
2. Click the toolbar menu icon. It's the ⌵ on the top left.
3. Click New Empty Tab Group.

Now, any tab you open will be in this new group until you switch Tab Groups.

How to rename a Tab Group in Safari macOS Monterey

Once you have created a few Tab Groups, you're likely going to want to label them to keep them organized, and so you know what Tab Groups have which tabs at a glance.

1. Click the Show Sidebar icon.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) on the Tab Group you want to rename.

3. Click Rename.
4. Type in the name you want to use.

You can rename a Tab Group at any time by following the same steps listed above.

How to reorder Tab Groups in Safari macOS Monterey

If you're a stickler for keeping those Tab Groups organized, you can reorder them in the sidebar.

1. Click the Show Sidebar icon.
2. Click and hold the Tab Group you want to move.
3. Drag the Tab Group to your desired spot in the list.

How to view all tabs in a Tab Group in Safari on macOS Monterey

If you've lost track of which tabs you have open in your tab groups, you can quickly view all the tabs in a particular group in the Safari sidebar.

1. Click the Show Sidebar icon.
2. Click the search Tab Group icon on the tab group you want. It's the icon with the four squares.

Now you should see all the tabs open in that group and even close tabs in that Tab Group if you want.

How to delete a Tab Group in Safari in macOS Monterey

Once you're done using a Tab Group, there's no need to keep it around. You can delete it in the sidebar, which will automatically close all the tabs in that group.

1. Click the Show Sidebar icon.
2. Right-click (or Control-click) on the Tab Group you want to rename.
3. Click Delete.

Some improvements coming in macOS Ventura?

While Tab Groups in Safari aren't that old, they are already set to get updates when macOS Ventura launches in the fall.

Some of the features coming are as follows:

• Shared Tab Groups: Share a Tab Group with other people and collaborate. Everyone will be able to add their own tabs and the Tab Group will update instantly.
• Tab Group start pages: You can now have dedicated start pages to your Tab Groups and even customize them with background images.
• Pinned tabs in Tab Groups: This allows for even more customization in Tab Groups by allowing you to pin certain tabs to the top of the stack.

Group those tabs

Now that you know how to group tabs in Safari you're well on your way to becoming more organized. Grouping tabs allows you to organize tabs by task, category, or any other distinction to help you be more efficient. And with even more helpful updates coming this fall with macOS Ventura, Tab Groups will only get better with time.

Updated June 2022: For upcoming macOS Ventura.

Over time, you're going to end up with a lot of photos — especially if you have kids and pets — but even your best iPhone only has so much space. Thankfully, you can store your photo and video memories in the cloud with Apple's own iCloud Photo Library, and everything can be viewed across all of your iPhones, iPads, and Macs, as long as you have the available iCloud storage. It's one of the best ways to keep all of your memories together on your Apple devices.

However, as great as iCloud Photo Library is on your favorite iPhone, iPad, and Mac, it's not failproof (nothing really is). That's why if you are truly serious about keeping all of your pictures and video safe, you want some redundancies in your backup process. I mean, there is no such thing as "too many backups" and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Here are a few ways that you can back up your iCloud photos using your greatest Mac.

How to back up iCloud Photo Library to your Mac's hard drive

The best way to back up the images and video in iCloud Photo Library is to make sure you're downloading all your content onto your Mac.

Note: If you plan to back up your entire digital library to your Mac's hard drive, you'll likely want to do it on a desktop Mac with at least a 1TB drive or more. Otherwise, consider backing up to an external drive.

1. Launch the Photos app on your Mac.

2. Click Photos in the App menu in the upper left corner of your screen.
3. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.

4. Click the iCloud tab.
5. Click Download Originals to this Mac.

Your Mac will now download full-resolution copies of all your images to your Mac's hard drive, stored inside your Photos app library. Depending on how big your iCloud Photo Library is, it may take a while — just be patient.

How to back up your iCloud Photo Library content to an external drive

There are two ways to back up your iCloud Photo Library to an external drive: backing up your Photos library automatically or manually. (You can also export sections of your library if you don't want to back up the whole thing.)

If you've turned on the Download Originals option for your Photos library, you can back up your Photos library as part of your regular backup routine with Time Machine or even an online clone service like Carbon Copy or BackBlaze. No matter which method you prefer (though it's highly recommended to use both), your Photos library (and all images and video automatically downloaded from iCloud) will be backed up as well. And if you don't currently use a backup service, well... now's a good time to start!

If you've turned on the Download Originals option for your Photos library but don't want to back it up automatically, you can always copy your Photos library to an external drive regularly.

1. Connect an external drive to your Mac via USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt.
2. Open a new Finder window on your Mac.

3. Click on Pictures in the sidebar.
   • If Pictures is not already in your sidebar, drag the Pictures folder from your Macintosh HD into the sidebar.

4. Drag your Photos Library to your external drive.

5. Wait for it to copy over.

If you have one of the best external hard drives just laying around, you should consider using it for making an external library to backup your iCloud Photo Library. If you go this route, it's highly recommended to set up bi-weekly reminders for the following steps to keep the Photos library backed up regularly.

Don't want to back up your entire library? You can export individual images and videos to your external drive.

1. Connect an external drive to your Mac via USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt.
2. Open the Photos app.

3. Select the photos and video you want to back up.
4. Go to the File menu.
5. Hover over the Export option.

6. Select either Export # Photos or Video or Export Unmodified Original for # Photos or Videos.

7. Select an option for Photo Kind, information to include (title, keywords, and caption, as well as location information), File Name, and Subfolder Format. The first two options only show up if you chose Export # Photos or Video in Step 6.

8. Press Export.

9. Choose your external drive.
10. Press Export.

How to make an online backup of your iCloud Photo Library

Even though your entire iCloud Photo Library is (as the name implies) stored online in iCloud, it's worth considering a second online backup as one of your redundancies. After all, you can never have too many backups, in all honesty.

Good news: If you already use a service to back up your hard drive and you've already synced your full iCloud Photo Library to your Mac, it's easy to back it all up there too. If not, consider it a good time to start!

If you don't store your iCloud images locally, this is a bit trickier: you can use the external drive method we mentioned above to export portions of your library to an external drive, and then sync that drive to your preferred online backup service, but it's a bit more labor-intensive. In general, this is why I tend to recommend backing up your full library to your Mac or storing a library on an external drive.

Always back it up, and then back it up again!

When it comes to backing up iCloud photos, these are the best solutions possible. It's pretty easy, and we always recommend keeping everything backed up on an external hard drive, as well as an off-site service as well. Remember, you can never have too many backups, and again, it's much better to be safe than sorry.

Updated June 2022: These are still the proper steps to back up your iCloud Photo Library.

While controlling your HomeKit accessories from your iPhone is handy, making adjustments from your Mac can be more convenient at home or work. Using the Home app from your Mac means you don't have to look around for your phone if you're at the desk and want to secure your HomeKit door lock. The Home app on the Mac also allows you to put a live HomeKit camera view in a floating window so you can keep an eye on your home without losing focus. Here's how to use the Home app on Mac.

How to use the Home app on Mac

Unfortunately, you can't directly set up the Home app on your Mac. Instead, you'll need to set it up on your iOS device first. Here's how to pair a HomeKit accessory using iOS so that you can control it from your Mac.

1. Make sure your HomeKit accessory has power and is near your iOS device. You'll also want to double-check for any additional equipment you need for it to work with iOS (i.e., Philips Hue Bridge for Philips Hue bulbs).
2. On your iOS device, launch the Home app.
3. Tap the Plus icon.

4. Scan the HomeKit setup code for your accessory as prompted using your device's camera.
   • The HomeKit setup code is usually located on the device or in the manual included with your accessory.
   • You can also select I Don't Have a Code or Cannot Scan if you want to enter the code manually.
   • Some accessories support NFC pairing, which you can perform by placing your iPhone close to the HomeKit code.
5. Tap Add to Home.
6. Assign your accessory to a Room.
7. Tap Continue.

8. Type in a Name for your accessory, then tap Continue.
9. Select suggested automation if desired, then tap Continue.
   • Depending on your accessory, you may see additional options during setup, such as setting camera notifications and recording options.
10. Tap Done.

To get your HomeKit accessories in the Home app on Mac, you'll need to sign in to your Apple ID, have iCloud Keychain and Two-Factor Authentication on, and Home enabled in iCloud Settings. Both iOS and your Mac should also be running the latest software version.

It's a bit disappointing that you can't add new accessories directly on the Mac, but you can still get most of the Home app's other features.

Getting started with Home on macOS

Controlling your HomeKit accessories via the Mac works just like it does on iOS and iPadOS, with clicks and right-clicks taking the place of taps and long presses. The macOS Home app also includes the sidebar navigation view like the iPad, making it easy to jump to a specific room instead of swiping through each individually.

To turn a device ON/OFF or view a HomeKit camera's live feed, click on it. Grayed-out icons mean that the device is currently OFF, while white means it's ON.

Right-click on an accessory, and you'll get two options: Show Controls or View Camera and Settings. The Settings menu allows you to rename your devices, which is useful when moving stuff around the house.

Settings will allow you to see the device name and room. From here, you can make it a favorite, include it in your home's status, group accessories, adjust HomeKit Secure Video camera options, and see details like the firmware version.

When you click on Show Controls, you'll have access to things such as dimming the lights, adjusting temperature, and more, depending on your devices. For those who use compatible light bulbs, Show Controls will also give you the option to change the color of your lights and enable Adaptive Lighting.

HomeKit notifications are also available on macOS, with banners appearing on the top right-hand side of your screen and in Control Center. Like on iOS, you can set notifications up to inform you if a door or window opens or for motion events caught by one of your HomeKit cameras — complete with thumbnail images.

Control your home with a click

Even though it seems that Home for macOS is a little half-baked without the ability to add accessories, it's still a valuable tool with convenient controls and notifications. With the Home app on your desk, you can secure your HomeKit door locks with a click, and you can peek into your camera feeds at any time — perfect for working at home or the office.

Updated June 2022: Updated for iOS 15.

The MacBook Pro M2 13-inch is here! Now that the latest MacBook has been released, you may be asking yourself the question - where do I even order a MacBook Pro M2? Worry no longer - we've looked all over various retailers, and formed a list of the best places to find the new MacBook Pro.

Where can I buy the new MacBook Pro 2022 in the US?

Pretty much every good retailer that sells Apple computers at this point - you can of course spec your own MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2, 2022) at the Apple Website, and choose a maximum of 24GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. These upgrades will cost extra, however - all the way up to $2,500. You could always hop over to B&H photo and order a machine from there, they have a good number of different specs that you can opt for. Amazon as well have stock - but only for the base two models, so if you want more than 8GB of RAM then you may want to look elsewhere.

Where can I buy the MacBook Pro M2 in the UK?

In the UK, you can still hop over to the Apple UK website to configure a machine, although you'll pay slightly more for a fully specced machine at £2,549. Currys also has machines you can order today, but the only RAM option you have is 8GB. Amazon has stock too, but like in the states, the only option you'll find is for a 256GB or 512GB SSD. If you hop over to John Lewis, you'll find the same 8GB RAM options, but also some extra offers of a few months free Apple Arcade and Apple TV+.

What should I look out for when I order my MacBook Pro?

You're going to have to be careful when looking at the MacBook Pro 2022 - it looks almost identical to the previous model, and you may well find other retailers with very similar machines to the latest model. In the run-up to the machine's release, there will be various retailers who pop the new machines to preorder alongside older models. On Apple's store, it's easy to be sure what MacBook you're buying - the 2022 model is the only version available of the 13-inch MacBook Pro. Elsewhere, it may be trickier - In this case, just make sure that the MacBook you're buying has the M2 chip under the hood - this is the biggest difference between the old and the new.

When Can I preorder the new MacBook Pro 2022?

They're out! You can order them now, so hop to it!

Should I preorder the new MacBook Pro 2022?

Oh, you're still here? Ah, you've seen the new MacBook Air hands-on preview as well. If you're wondering whether you should wait for the shiny new MacBook Air 2022, check out our MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro 2022. If you're interested in pre-ordering one of those, keep it locked to iMore and we'll let you know when you can - and whether you should or not.

Fancy a MacBook deal? Prime Day is coming up soon, so take a look at our Prime Day MacBook deals hub. Oh, and don't forget to look at the best MacBook Pro cases. These are expensive devices, and the same cases for the 2020 MacBook Pro will fit your new MacBook Pro M2.

Updated 24 June after release

Apple's built-in backup program for the Mac on macOS, Time Machine, makes it incredibly easy to back up all of your important data so you can restore your computer if something should happen. You can even recover deleted files if you accidentally lose them.

On MacBooks, Time Machine includes the added feature of creating local snapshots so that if you disconnect your MacBook from its external hard drive, you'll still have backups stored on your internal hard drive so you can recover data if you need to.

Local snapshots are invaluable for situations when you're out and about and need to recover data but don't have your backup hard drive. Unfortunately, they also start taking up noticeable space on your hard drive. To free up space on Mac, keep reading.

Why do I have 100 GB of backups on my hard drive?

You need an external hard drive to set up and use Time Machine because that's where your backups are stored. So why do you have many backups taking up space on your MacBook's internal hard drive? Because of local snapshots.

Local snapshots are created automatically when you set up Time Machine on your Mac laptop. Time Machine makes one daily snapshot every 24 hours when you start up your MacBook on macOS Monterey or later. It also stores weekly snapshots. It keeps those weekly snapshots on your internal hard drive until you start to get low on storage. So, if you've been backing up your Mac for years with Time Machine, you could potentially have 100 GB of backups stored in your internal hard drive, as long as you have space for them.

How do I get rid of all these backups?

First, let me preface this by saying that you shouldn't worry about those backups and the space they are taking up. If everything is working correctly, Time Machine will automatically delete the oldest snapshot backups as soon as your internal hard drive has less than 20% of storage space left. If you then, say, download some large program and your internal hard drive plummets to below 10% (or less than 5GB of internal storage), Time Machine will delete all local snapshots except the most recent. The program will then continue to replace the old snapshot with a new one until you free up space on your Mac's internal storage, at which point it will go back to saving weekly snapshots as long as space permits.

That being said, everything doesn't always work correctly, and you may find yourself out of storage space on your internal hard drive, and those snapshot backups won't go away. However, if you really need to delete those snapshots (which I don't recommend unless you desperately need that space), there is a way to purge local snapshots from your internal hard drive. You can use a Terminal command to disable Time Machine's local snapshot feature, which will delete all of the local snapshots on your internal hard drive. It will also stop Time Machine from creating new snapshots.

To disable local snapshots in Time Machine and remove them from your internal storage:

1. Open Time Machine Preferences from the Time Machine menu in the menu bar on your Mac.
2. Uncheck Back Up Automatically.
3. Wait a few minutes for the local snapshots to delete.
4. Check Back Up Automatically again.

Looking for a new Mac?

When the time comes to replace your computer, consider our lists of the best MacBook and Mac desktop models.

Just be careful

Before you purge your local snapshots, be sure you need to do this. Time Machine should work automatically to remove older backups as you need the storage space on your internal hard drive. If you delete old backups, you can never retrieve data from them if something were to go wrong while you aren't connected to your backup hard drive.

Updated June 2022: Updated for latest macOS version.

Apple's 12-inch MacBook was a much-loved if much-maligned part of its notebook lineup until it was discontinued in 2019. Now rumors are beginning to suggest that it is getting ready for a comeback. And this time it's going to have Apple silicon, not a power-hungry Intel chip, at its heart.

12-inch MacBook display

Based on claims made by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the new MacBook will come with a 12-inch display, although exact measurements aren't clear at this time. Given Apple's current move toward a notch design and stretching the display to the corners of the notebook's lid, it's possible we could see a slightly larger panel used.

However, display analyst Ross Young isn't so sure, saying that Apple's strategy appears to be to release Macs with screens of 13 inches and larger, while everything below that is an iPad of some sort. Apple's strategies can and do change, of course, so that's something to keep in mind here.

12-inch MacBook processor

Apple's move to M2 silicon is now underway following the announcement of the latest MacBook Air and the arrival of a new 13-inch MacBook Pro. That means that we can safely expect the 12-inch MacBook to go the same route — but there's a spanner in the works. Leaker Majin Bu believes that M2 Pro or M2 Max chips could be possible, making it more of a 12-inch MacBook Pro.

Apple's previous 12-inch MacBook was a low-powered Intel machine and one that didn't have a fan to boot. A fanless design is possible with M2 chips, but the M2 Pro and M2 Max are unlikely to be capable of staying cool in such an environment.

12-inch MacBook design

In terms of looks, little has been shared via the few leaks we've seen so far. However, it seems likely that Apple would seek to make the 12-inch MacBook into a smaller version of the refreshed MacBook Air — unless claims of a more Pro-focus turn out to be accurate, that is. If this machine is indeed a 12-inch MacBook Pro, expect more subdued color options and a thicker design to accommodate fans.

If Apple does go the MacBook Air route, new colors could be offered while a super-thin chassis seems likely, especially if Apple can get away with not putting a fan inside the machine. The 12-inch MacBook was often regarded as one of the best Macs for people who needed a Mac, not an iPad, that was perfect for travel. An Apple silicon version that isn't hamstrung by poor Intel performance and battery life would be even better.

12-inch MacBook price and availability

If Apple does decide to go ahead with the plans as Bloomberg's Mark Gurman sees them, they expect a launch to take place either toward the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024.

Those timescales do make us wonder whether we might see M3-based chips rather than the rumored M2, but it's still early days in this cycle of rumors for a machine we didn't know was in the works until early June 2022.

The MacBook Air is Apple's best-selling Mac, and our favorite Mac. When a new version arrives, it's big news. The 2022 MacBook Air is a significant update vs. the previous model, the MacBook Air (2020). Besides offering a more powerful chip, the 2022 model comes in a new design with a bigger and better display. The MacBook Air (2022) also sees the return of the MagSafe charging port and more, like an updated FaceTime camera. None of this means you shouldn't consider the older model. In some cases, the 2020 version might be the laptop for you. Let's take a look at the differences so you can decide.

MacBook Air (2022) vs. MacBook Air (2020): Key differences

Although there are clear differences between the MacBook Air (2022) and MacBook Air (2020), it's amazing how similar they are in key areas such as storage capacity and battery life. The older model could be a better choice depending on your most important preferences. Take a look:

Despite the impressive specs of the latest MacBook Air, you can see here that the older version still has a lot to offer — starting with a less expensive price. So the question here is, how many bells and whistles do you need?

MacBook Air (2022) vs. MacBook Air (2020) A game-changing design

The latest MacBook Air introduces a flat design and looks similar to the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models from 2021. The older MacBook Air offers a wedge design that sets it apart from other MacBooks. In addition, the new design enabled Apple to add a MagSafe charging port and a slightly bigger and better display. This time, the MacBook Air has a 13.6-inch (diagonal) Liquid Retina display versus the 13.3-inch (diagonal) Retina display found on the older model. The Liquid Retina display offers 2560 by 1664 pixels with 500 nits brightness vs. the 2560 by 1600 pixels and 400 nits found on the 2020 version. The newer display also comes with a better 1080p FaceTime HD camera and screen notch, featured on the two largest MacBook Pro models as well.

Design-wise, the MacBook Air (2022) also includes two new colors: Midnight and Starlight, which replaced the Gold colorway found on the 2020 model. Both models are also offered in traditional Space Gray and silver.

MacBook Air (2022) vs. MacBook Air (2020) M2 performance better all around

One of the biggest reasons to choose the latest MacBook Air over the previous model is the transition from the Apple M1 chip to the Apple M2 chip. The next-generation silicon means more speed and power efficiency thanks to a more powerful 8-core CPU and up to a 10-core GPU. As a result, Apple says the M2 is up to 1.4 times faster than the M1 model, although battery life remains the same, up to 18 hours between charges for both.

Specifically, Apple claims the M2 offers 1.4x faster video editing performance, 1.2 times speedier image filters and effects performance, 1.3 times faster gaming, 1.6 times faster scene edit detection, 1.4 times speedier photo stitching, three times faster video transcode performance, and 1.2 times faster image upscaling. However, these numbers assume you purchase a MacBook Air (2022) with an 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 24GB of RAM. In tests, Apple compared that model with a MacBook Air (2020) with an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and 16GB of RAM. Both had a maximum of 2TB of storage.

MacBook Air (2022) vs. MacBook Air (2020): Price changes

The MacBook Air (2022) still represents the least expensive MacBook around. Unfortunately, the starting price has increased by $200, with the entry-level version clocking in at $1,199 vs. $999 for the older model. This means the all-new 13-inch MacBook Pro (2022), still starting at $1,299, is now just $100 more than the least expensive MacBook Air. The price differences on both sides are nothing to scoff at and could make it harder to make a decision on which MacBook is the one right for you. Throw in the likely discounts we'll soon be seeing on the MacBook Air (2020), and the choice could prove even more difficult to make.

Another point: Continued worldwide shortages could mean there's limited supply for the MacBook Air (2022) — at least for a few weeks or months.

MacBook Air (2022) vs. MacBook Air (2020): Which one should you get?

The MacBook Air (2022) is the better choice for most folks, even at a higher price than the previous model. This laptop offers a fresh design, a better Apple M2 chip, a larger display, MagSafe, a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, and more. However, if you're less concerned about speed and performance updates, don't understand why MagSafe is oh-so-cool, need a MacBook now, and don't want to wait, or want to simply save some cash, there's absolutely nothing wrong with selecting the older model. This also applies if you're considering upgrading to the new Air (2022). If the 2020 MacBook Air still works for you, you should stick with it — after all, it still contains Apple silicon, offers the same battery life and storage availability, and comes with a well-received wedge design.

Apple's biggest refresh of its Pro lineup landed towards the end of last year and brought a new look, a very powerful new chip, and a rather fetching liquid retina screen in two new, larger sizes, 14 and 16-inches. Said refresh also brought new price points for Apple's most impressive mobile hardware to date - and they were pretty hefty, particularly if you're after the larger 16-inch model.

Thankfully, Amazon has seen fit to reduce the price of the 16-inch MacBook Pro from $2499 to $2299. This is close to the lowest price the MacBook Pro 16-inch has ever seen since its release last year - and while still a lot of money, this reduction brings it closer to its $2000 14-inch cousin. For $200, the bigger screen and more powerful 10-core M1 pro chip are certainly worth it.

The MacBook Pro 2021 is not a machine for everyone - mostly because the price puts most users off. For Professionals who need an incredibly powerful and portable work laptop, however, the MacBook Pro 2021 is one of the best options on the market. The range of M1 Pro and M1 Max chips on offer are some seriously impressive multi-core monsters, and the unified RAM options mixed with some kind of MacBook black magic make video editing and rendering a doddle. We were so impressed with its credentials that we called it a 'the best Mac to date in the Apple Silicon era' in our Macbook Pro 2021 review.

If that wasn't enough, they are beautiful devices, made, as always, out of aluminum in Space Grey or Silver. The Liquid Retina display under the lid is colorful and sharp, whilst not hitting battery performance too much, giving the MacBook up to 21 hours of use time. It does lack the somewhat controversial touch bar of its predecessor, and while that may irk some users it will please others. Would have been nice as an option, and who knows - Apple brought the MagSafe charger back for this generation of MacBook after years of fans asking, so maybe the touch bar will return in the future?

Just ignore notchgate, the notch in the top of the screen soon blends into MacOS - unless you'd rather not have a webcam at all? In which case good news - Apple might've just killed the webcam with MacOs Ventura. Bad news? The notch remains.

The time has come. You can now download the macOS Monterey public beta on your Mac. It's not an overly complicated process, but we're here to walk you through it and if you need it, a place to get extra help. All the best Macs are compatible with macOS Monterey.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

What's new in the macOS Monterey public beta?

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.5 beta 3 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.5 beta for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.4 RC for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

The fourth macOS Monterey 12.4 public beta 4 is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

The fourth macOS Monterey 12.4 developer beta also includes an extra element: the second Studio Display 15.5 developer beta. It's currently unclear exactly what the firmware update for the Studio Display will do, but it hopefully will attempt to continue to improve the camera.

The second macOS Monterey 12.4 public beta beta is now available to download. Follow the instructions below to download and install the newest software update.

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.4 public beta 1 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.3 public beta 5 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.3 public beta 4 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.3 public beta 3 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.3 public beta 2 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released the macOS Monterey 12.3 public beta for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released the macOS Monterey 12.2 public beta for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released the macOS Monterey 12.1 public beta 2 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey public beta 9 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey public beta 8 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey public beta 7 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey public beta 6 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey public beta 5 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey public beta 3 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have the macOS public beta installed, head to System Preferences > Software Updates and download away. If you've been waiting for macOS Monterey to get started with macOS testing, now's the time to grab it!

Apple has released macOS Monterey public beta 2 for members of the Beta Software Program.

Apple has released macOS Monterey public beta 1 for members of the Beta Software Program.

How to make a backup of your Mac

Before joining the public beta, you need to make a backup of your Mac. That way, if something goes wrong, or if you're not happy and want to revert to macOS Big Sur, you can go right back to where you started.

Even if you back up every night, you'll want to make double, triple sure you're covered. So make a manual backup now. Here's how to do it with Time Machine. If you use something different or additional, like SuperDuper!, make sure you manually start a backup now.

1. Click on the Time Machine icon in your Mac Menubar.
2. Click on Backup now.

Let the backup finish before proceeding.

Note: If you're not averse to the Terminal, you can also make a bootable macOS Big Sur installer as a way to jumpstart reversion, if needed.

How to register your account for the latest macOS public beta

If you've already joined a public beta for macOS in the past, you don't need to register again for macOS Monterey. Sign in with the same Apple ID. If you've never joined a public beta before, you'll need to start by signing up with your Apple ID.

1. Go to beta.apple.com in Safari on your Mac.
2. Click on Sign up to get started. (If you've already signed up for a previous public beta, Click on Sign in and skip to "How to enroll your Mac" below.)
3. Enter your Apple ID email address and password.
4. Click Sign in.

Once you're signed up and signed in, it's time to start downloading.

How to enroll your Mac in the latest macOS public beta

Downloading the macOS Monterey public beta is done through System Preferences in the Software Updates.

1. Go to beta.apple.com, if you're not there already.
2. Click on the macOS tab if it's not highlighted already.
3. Click the Download macOS Public Beta Access Utility button.
4. Open the file from your Downloads window.
5. Double-click the package to run the installer.

When the installer is finished downloading, System Preferences will automatically open to the Software Updates section. Click Update to download and install the public beta software. After the software has been downloaded, your Mac will automatically restart.

If the latest public beta does not appear on the Updates list, restart your Mac. Then, open System Preferences and click the Software Updates pane.

The public beta update can take a long time to finish downloading, depending on the size. You can check the status in the Software Updates preference pane of System Preferences.

How to install the latest macOS public beta

The macOS public beta installer will automatically open when it's downloaded. If it doesn't, or if you prefer to do it later, you open Install macOS Public Beta at any time via Spotlight or Launchpad or from the Application folder in the Finder.

1. Launch Install macOS Public Beta app if it's not launched already.
2. Click Continue at the bottom.
3. If prompted to make a backup and you didn't before, click Continue in the drop-down. If you just made a backup, click Cancel.
4. Click Continue at the bottom once your backup completes or if you skipped it.
5. Click Agree to accept the licensing terms.
6. Click Agree again to confirm.
7. Click on the drive you want to install onto (if you have multiple options, most people won't.)
8. Click Install.
9. Enter your administrator password and click OK.
10. Click Restart (if your Mac doesn't restart automatically, or you don't want to wait).

Once your Mac reboots, it'll be running the macOS public beta. There's a brief bit of setup you'll need to go through, however, as the system will have changed enough that it'll need your login to complete the update.

Once that's done, you'll be ready to rock macOS Monterey.

How to update to a new version of the macOS public beta

To download updates of the macOS public beta from now on:

1. Open System Preferences from your Dock or Applications folder.
2. Click Software Update.
3. Click Update Now if there is an update available for your Mac.
4. Click the checkbox next to Automatically keep my Mac up to date if you want your Mac to download and install software updates in the future automatically.

Apple's native Notes app for Mac tends to improve each year. Tags is one of the newest features. The function has two primary purposes: to categorize notes and create custom Smart Folders to organize your content better.

Here's how to use tags in Notes on all the best Macs.

Creating tags

To begin using tags in Notes on Mac:

1. Open the Notes app on your Mac.
2. Create a new note or open an existing one.
3. Type the number sign (#) followed by a word to create a new tag. For example, #cruise or #grocery. Tags can be created anywhere in a note. Once you have tags in Notes, you'll see suggested tags appear. Tags must be a single word, but you can use hyphens and underscores such as #cruise-trip or #grocery-list.

4. Click the return key or spacebar to create the tag.
5. See tags in the Tag Browser in the Notes app sidebar.

As Apple explains, if you add a tag to a shared note, it appears as dimmed text to other participants who don't have the tag in their Tag Browser. They can Control-click the tag, then choose to Add to Tags.

To search for which notes contain which tags:

• Click the tag in the Tag Browser in the sidebar or
• Select multiple tags at the same time in the Tag Browser.

Renaming tags

You can rename a tag at any time by following these directions:

1. Open the Notes app on your Mac.
2. Control-click a tag in the Tag Browser on the sidebar.
3. Select Rename Tag.

4. Rename the tag.
5. Click Rename to confirm.

The altered tag is changed everywhere within Notes.

As Apple explains, if you rename a tag in a shared note, it appears as dimmed text to other participants who don't have the tag in their Tag Browser. They can Control-click the tag, then choose to Add to Tags.

Deleting tags

If you no longer want a tag in Notes, you can delete it by following these directions:

1. Open the Notes app on your Mac.
2. Control-click a tag in the Tag Browser on the sidebar.
3. Select Delete Tag.

4. Click Delete to confirm. Your tag has been deleted from the Tag Browser. However, the text will remain in the notes; it just won't serve as a tag any longer.

Creating Smart Folders

Another new option in the Notes app on Mac is Smart Folders. Use these folders to organize your notes with one or more tags. Keep in mind that Smart Folders don't contain notes in this case. Instead, they have references to notes in other folders. Smart Folders can't be locked, turned into subfolders, or shared.

After opening the Notes app, to create a Smart Folder:

1. Click New Folder in the sidebar.
2. Choose Smart Folder from the pull-down menu.

3. Change the name of the Smart Folder in the pop-up menu.
4. Add the tag(s) you wish to include for the Smart Folder. You can create new tags or select from the list of existing ones. More than one tag is allowed. When you have more than one tag, all the tags must be included in a note for it to show up on the Smart Folder.
5. Click OK.

Edit Smart Folders

You can adjust the rules for Smart Folders by opening the Notes app on Mac then:

1. Right-click on a Smart Folder on the sidebar.
2. Choose Edit Smart Folder from the pull-down menu.

3. Make changes. For example, you can adjust the name or tags included in the Smart Folder.
4. Click OK.

Delete Smart Folders

If you no longer want a Smart Folder, you can delete it after opening the Notes app on Mac:

1. Right-click on a Smart Folder on the sidebar.
2. Choose Delete Smart Folder from the pull-down menu.
3. Select Delete to confirm.

Convert folders to Smart Folders

Folders in the Notes app on Mac can easily be converted into Smart Folders. The notes are moved to the general Notes folder when a folder gets converted and tagged with "#Name." This process can't be undone.

After opening the Notes app:

1. Right-click on a regular folder in the Notes apps.
2. Select Convert to Smart Folder from the pull-down menu.

Make your life easier

Though Quick Notes is the primary new Notes feature in macOS Monterey, there's also the addition of tags.

Tags and Smart Folders in the Notes app on Mac make it easier to organize and find your content. The steps involved are intuitive and don't take much time to set up and complete. Use both tools to improve your workflow.

Updated June 2022: With slight changes.

In macOS Monterey 12.1, Apple finally brought SharePlay to the Mac. The feature was first introduced at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. It allows you to share video and audio content through FaceTime. You can also share your screen using SharePlay.

To get started with SharePlay on Mac, you must have already begun a FaceTime call on your computer. From there, here are the steps.

How to watch together with SharePlay

TV shows and movies through the Apple TV app are shareable through FaceTime on macOS Monterey and later. Everyone on the call must have access to the video content, however. For example, each person needs to subscribe to Apple TV+, ShowTime, or HBO Max through the Apple TV app. Then, with the video started, everyone on the call can see the same video moments and access the playback controls to press Play or Pause. It works on all of the best Macs with the latest version of macOS installed.

To begin sharing content:

1. Open the Apple TV app on your Mac.
2. Press the Play button for the video you wish to share. If this is the first time you attempt to use SharePlay with Apple TV on your Mac, you'll see a pop-up menu asking you to confirm that you want to use it. In subsequent sessions, SharePlay starts automatically. Otherwise, if you select Start Only for Me in the pop-up box, you'll be prompted the next time you want to use SharePlay with the Apple TV app.
3. Click SharePlay.

How to listen together with SharePlay

Using SharePlay with audio requires performing similar steps to those above. Once again, be sure a FaceTime session has already started. From there:

1. Open the Apple Music app, Spotify, or any other supported music service on your Mac.
2. Move the pointer over any song or album.
3. Click the Play button to start the music. Once again, if this is the first time you attempt to use SharePlay with music on your Mac, you'll see a pop-up menu asking you to confirm that you want to use it. In subsequent sessions, SharePlay starts automatically. Otherwise, if you select Start Only for Me in the pop-up box, you'll be prompted the next time you want to use SharePlay with any music app.
4. Select SharePlay.

How to share your screen with SharePlay

To share what's happening on your Mac screen with SharePlay in FaceTime:

1. Click the FaceTime button in the active FaceTime app in the menu bar.
2. Choose the Screen Share button.
3. Select Window to share the app window or click Screen to share the entire screen.

4. Click the FaceTime button in the menu bar then click the Stop Sharing button to stop sharing.

It's share time

You can share lots of content using SharePlay on FaceTime on Mac. Remember, SharePlay also works on iPhone and iPad! The new tool provides a unique way to stay in touch and spend time with family and friends remotely.

Updated June 2022: With minor changes.

Last year, Apple shocked us all by redesigning its MacBook Pro to include a notch at the top of the screen. What's in that notch? Apple's improved built-in webcam. Yes, the webcam was finally an upgrade to the very pitiful webcam Apple used to include on its MacBooks. Still, the lack of Face ID (or any other relevant technology) made it a slightly baffling decision at the time. However, yesterday, the notch's inclusion just became a lot more confusing.

Your iPhone is now your webcam

During the WWDC keynote, Apple showed off a new feature in macOS Ventura called Continuity Camera. This feature will allow you to use your iPhone's camera(s) as your webcam without any additional software. They even plan on selling a little accessory that will fasten your iPhone to the back of your MacBook to hold your iPhone right where you would put an external webcam.

We've already noted that this will Sherlock some existing third-party services, like Camo and others, which offer software that allows you to use your iPhone as a Mac webcam. But I think it goes further than that. All webcams could be in danger of being obsolete on Mac.

So, Apple is killing webcams now?

It all boils down to just how excellent the iPhone camera has become. If you have an iPhone 13 Pro, you have a better camera in your pocket than 99% of webcams (both internal and external) on the market. Any picture from an iPhone will look infinitely better than that $50 Logitech webcam you've been using. Plus, with all the software already in your best iPhone handling a bunch of computational photography, it's easy to see how webcams get outclassed. Apple showed us that while using a Continuity Camera, you'll be able to use different lighting modes — as you would for Portrait Mode — to change the look. You can blur the background with ease or even use the studio lighting setting to keep you more light than your background.

Of course, that's only talking about one camera. Remember, most newer iPhones have at least two, if not three, cameras that macOS Ventura could and will leverage. On top of showing off the ability to use the main iPhone back camera as a webcam, Apple showed off a feature called Desk view, which uses the ultra-wide-angle lens on the back of your iPhone to create a top-down view (pictured below). Perfect if you're trying to show something off to your colleagues or friends. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any webcam that can simultaneously show you two different angles. I'm sure they are few and far between if they are out there.

So, yes, it's entirely possible that this could be the end of webcams on MacBooks! Instead, Apple may want you to use your iPhone. I'm not saying that's right or convenient for all the people who love Macs but carry non-Apple phones, but it's a direction Apple may choose to explore.

Will the notch survive? Only time will tell.

If the MacBook's webcam goes away, you would have to assume the notch would also disappear; it barely has a reason for being there in the first place.

Of course, the newly announced MacBook Air with M2 chip has both a notch and a webcam, but it's important to note that it will be available to buy next month. Meanwhile, macOS Ventura and Continiutiy Camera won't be released until the fall.

At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple revealed the next-generation version of macOS. Called macOS 13 Ventura, the update will be available to the public later this year. Is your Mac going to be compatible once the update is pushed out? Let's take a look.

Compatibility changes

Between macOS Monterey and macOS Ventura, Apple has dropped support for a handful of Macs. Let's take a look:

The following best Macs work with the current version of macOS:

• iMac (Late 2015 and later)
• iMac Pro (all models)
• MacBook (Early 2016 and later)
• MacBook Air (Early 2015 and later)
• MacBook Pro (Early 2015 and later)
• Mac mini (Late 2014 and later)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 and later)

According to Apple, macOS Ventura will be limited to the following Macs:

• iMac (2017 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)
• MacBook (2017 and later)
• MacBook Air (2018 and later)
• MacBook Pro (2017 and later)
• Mac mini (2018 and later)
• Mac Pro (2019 and later)
• Mac Studio (2022)

As you can see, Apple removed different Macs from the support list. We'll update this post in the event Apple changes its mind on compatibility before macOS Ventura arrives later this year.

iCloud Drive lets you store all your files up on Apple's servers and sync them across all your devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. While you can let iCloud create files for you and drop files where it thinks they belong, you can also create your own folders and move any of your files into them. Here's how!

How to access iCloud Drive on your Mac via Finder

Thanks to iCloud Drive, Apple's cloud-based file sharing system, we can share files between Mac and iOS seamlessly. On iOS, you can find all of your files under the iCloud Drive app. On your Mac, everything can be found in the Finder window. Here's how.

1. Click on the Finder icon in your Mac dock.

2. In the Favorites section, click on iCloud Drive.
   • Alternately, you can find iCloud Drive in the Go menu at the top of any Finder menu if you've removed it from the Favorites section.
   • Or, you can always use the keyboard shortcut command + I.

How to manually create a folder in iCloud Drive on Mac

1. Click the Finder icon in your Mac's dock.
2. Click on iCloud Drive in the menu on the left in your Finder window.

3. Right-click inside the Finder window.
4. Click on New Folder
5. Enter a name for the new folder.

You can create folders inside of folders in iCloud Drive on Mac. Just double-click a folder and then follow steps 3 - 5 above.

How to manually create a folder in the Files app on iPhone and iPad

Creating folders in iCloud Drive is a bit different thanks to the Files app, which replaces the iCloud Drive app.

1. Open the Files app.
2. Tap iCloud Drive.
3. Tap the More icon in the upper left corner. It looks like three dots in a circle.

4. Tap New Folder.
5. Name your new folder.
6. Tap Done.

And there you go, your new folder has been created. You can now feel free to move documents and other items into it.

How to move files to new folders in the Files app on iPhone and iPad

Once again, you'll head to the new Files app to move your iCloud Drive files around.

1. Open the Files app and make sure you're in the iCloud Drive folder.
2. Tap Select in the upper righthand corner.
3. Choose the files you want to move once you've found them.

4. Tap the folder icon at the bottom.
5. Choose the folder you want to move files to.
6. Tap Move.

How to create a new folder in iCloud Drive on a PC

If your Mac or iPhone is not handy, you can also create folders in iCloud Drive from any other Mac or PC thanks to iCloud.com.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to iCloud.com.
2. Enter the email address and password associated with your Apple ID.
3. Click on iCloud Drive.

4. Click on the New Folder icon at the top of the screen. It looks like a folder with a plus (+) symbol inside of it.
5. Enter a name for the new folder.

How to move files to new folders in iCloud Drive on a PC

You can also move files to different folders on any other Mac or PC thanks to iCloud.com.

1. Open your web browser and navigate to iCloud.com.
2. Enter the email address and password associated with your Apple ID.
3. Click on iCloud Drive.

4. Select the folder you want to move the file or files from.
5. Select the file or files you want to move to a different folder.
6. Drag the file or files to iCloud Drive in the bottom left corner of the window.

7. Click the back arrow button in the upper left corner of the window to navigate back to the main iCloud Drive folder.
8. Select the file or files you just moved into iCloud Drive.
9. Drag and drop them into the folder you want to move them to.

Get organized

Through these simple steps, you can organize your iCloud files and folders on any device. It's an excellent system for streamlining your important documents in a way that can be accessed from anywhere. By creating and organizing your iCloud folders, you'll be able to access what you need quickly and efficiently.

Update May 2022: Updated steps for the latest operating system.

Shortcuts on Mac are becoming a reality thanks to macOS Monterey. Like Shortcuts on iPhone and iPad, the tool lets you automate tasks for apps and services using a Shortcuts editor. Once created, you can run them from your Dock, menu bar, the Finder, Spotlight, or with Siri on the best Macs.

Here's a first look at how to create Shortcuts on macOS Monterey

How to find and install prebuilt shortcuts

The easiest way to get started with Shortcuts on Mac is to install Apple's prebuilt shortcuts. To do so:

1. Open the Shortcuts app on Mac; it's located in the Applications folder.
2. Click Gallery at the top left.
3. Choose a shortcut from the Gallery.
4. Click Add Shortcut..., then following the shortcut-specific instructions on the screen.
5. Repeat each step to add additional Shortcuts.

How to create shortcuts

Shortcuts are designed to adapt to fit what you need. Because of this, Apple makes it possible to create new ones and edit the ones you already have. You can create easy shortcuts that include two-step actions or go long and create more difficult ones that require more work. For now, let's see how to create simple Shortcuts on Mac.

1. Open the Shortcuts app on Mac.
2. Choose All Shortcuts on the left side of the app.
3. Tap the + button in the upper-right corner.

4. Tap one of the options presented to you under the Categories tab or skip to step 5.
   • Favorites: If you have any actions that you've marked as favorite, they'll appear under here.
   • Sharing: Sharing actions like interacting with your device's clipboard, sending a message through email or Messages, AirDrop, social app actions, and more.
   • Documents: Actions for working with files, from appending to a file, creating folders, marking up documents, working with the Notes app, and text editing.
   • Web: Get and expand URLs, perform a GIPHY search, get items from RSS feeds, add something to your Reading List, and more.
   • Scripting: The actions under Scripting include commands to open particular apps, control over device functions, control flow, interacting with dictionaries, and a whole lot more.
   • Suggestions: Shortcuts will offer suggestions based on frequent actions, as well as options for modifying repeated actions to fit a specific parameter. Suggestions come from both Apple and third-party apps.
   • Location: Location-based actions that can start or be added to your shortcut.
   • Media: Actions for recording audio, using the camera, get app details from the App Store, and playing music and videos, and other media-related activities.
5. Tap on the options under Apps if you want to create an app-specific shortcut.
6. Follow the additional steps in the app.

How to share shortcuts

To share shortcuts with other users:

1. Open the Shortcuts app on Mac.
2. Choose All Shortcuts on the left side of the app.

3. Right-click on the shortcut you want to share.
4. Choose the way to share. Options include Mail Messages, AirDrop, Notes, and Reminders. You can also copy the link.

Make your life easier with Shortcuts!

Shortcuts open a huge world of possibilities on not only your best Mac but your iPhone and iPad too. In fact, we've written extensively on how to get started with Shortcuts on your iPhone, and once you do, you can start doing cool things like making customized apps icons for all your favorite apps.

Apple's 2021 MacBook Pro models offer superb performance and efficiency gains with the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, the return of varied I/O options, and gorgeous displays.

Though the new machines are undoubtedly the best MacBooks ever, they also bring something else that's new to the Mac: the notch. For Apple, as it is known officially, the camera housing is a necessary evil to shrink the bezels while improving the camera quality on the new laptops. Unfortunately, however, the notch is causing problems for some users when app controls and menu bar items become hidden.

Fortunately, there's a simple way to fix it by scaling the app in question to fit below the 2021 MacBook Pro notch. Here's how to do it.

How to scale apps around the notch on the MacBook Pro (2021)

1. Quit the app causing the problem by choosing Quit from the app's menu in the menu bar or by pressing Command-Q.
2. Click the Finder icon in the Dock, then click Applications in the Finder sidebar.

3. Select the app, then choose File > Get Info, Control-click > Get Info, or press Command-I.
4. In the Info window that opens, check the box next to Scale to fit below built-in camera.

Easy fix

After following the above steps, the app with the disappearing menu bar items should scale down to fit below the notch. The app essentially takes up the amount of screen real estate offered by previous-generation MacBook Pro models.

It's worth noting that the "Scale to fit below built-in camera" setting will not appear in the Get Info window for apps that have been updated to work with the notch-bearing MacBook models. As more people get their hands on the Macs, more app developers may update their apps with proper compatibility.

Updated May 2022: These are still the appropriate steps on Mac.

These days, we have an account for everything online and then some. With so many bank accounts, bills, subscription services, social media logins, work-related accounts, and more, it's essential to have a solid and secure password. And not only that, but having a uniquely strong and secure password for everything. We can't stress that enough — never use the same password for multiple accounts — as it increases the potential risk if someone ever happens to get a hold of your info.

But we get it: remembering a billion different combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters is impossible. Fortunately, there are password management apps designed to help you keep your digital data safe and secure on all the best Macs, and most of these also have mobile counterparts to simplify your life.

1Password

1Password is one of the most popular password manager apps out there, and it's the one many of us at iMore use daily. It's available on every platform you can think of, and it has a huge set of useful features in a friendly interface.

With 1Password, you can store your login details, bank account information, credit cards, ID cards, email accounts, secure notes, and anything else you wish to keep. In addition, it has a convenient password generator to help you create randomized passwords, and the Watchtower feature lets you know when a password has been reused, has been in use for a long time, or even when a site may be compromised, so you should update your password info.

1Password is free to download, but you will want to grab a subscription to get the most out of the service. It starts at $3 a month for an individual account, or you can even get a Family account for just $5 a month, so everyone is protected. Also, be sure to look out for discounts that will bring these prices down even further.

LastPass

A popular alternative to 1Password is LastPass, a free download with plenty of great features in a simplified design. On Mac, it's available through Safari and other browsers.

With LastPass, you can store all your usernames and passwords in a vault and sync them across your devices for free. If you have a lot of passwords to go through, you can quickly search for what you need, and LastPass automatically fills in your credentials when you need them. In addition, there's a password generator, the ability to create secure notes and add attachments, encryption, etc.

After a free trial, you can upgrade to a subscription service available for individuals and families. A subscription gives you different perks from a freebie account, including access on all devices, one-to-many sharing, and 1GB of encrypted storage. Packages start at $3/month.

Dashlane

Dashlane is another well-known brand when it comes to password management. With Dashlane, you're getting a fast and straightforward way to keep track of your important login information, payments, personal info, etc.

Like the competition, Dashlane not only keeps your login details safe and secure but can generate passwords and update them when needed, fill in forms, and alert you when the websites you use are compromised. It's free to download for up to 50 items, and if you need more, there are two tiers of premium plans.

The first premium plan (starting at $4.99/month) gives you unlimited passwords on unlimited devices, Dark Web Monitoring on up to five emails, a VPN built-in for safe browsing, and up to 1GB of file storage. With a Dashlane Family plan ($8.99/month), your premium account is shareable with up to five friends or family members.

Keeper

Need more than just password storage and management? Then Keeper could be the app for you.

Keeper allows you to keep multiple vaults, and you can choose which one you want to use once you log in with your master password. So if you need one vault for personal and another for work, then Keeper can handle it, no problem. Additionally, Keeper lets you save passwords, generate passwords, fill out forms, share individual items with people you trust, monitor the dark web, have up to five authorized users to access your data in case of emergency, etc. You can even use Keeper to save video files.

Keeper is free to download and use, with some limitations. Various personal and family memberships are available that unlock all of Keeper's features.

mSecure

Need a simple and no-frills solution to password management? Then give mSecure a try. It has a straightforward approach to keeping all your data secure on your Mac and every other device.

With mSecure, you're getting a safe place to store all the essential details that matter to you, and everything gets encrypted. In addition, you get a password manager, a strong password generator, autofill forms, and templates with the info you need. There are two plans to choose from following your free trial: Essentials and Premium, with Essentials starting at $1.66/month. The former offers syncing, biometrics, browser extensions, and more. The latter includes everything available in the Essentials package plus a sharing center, tags, and other advanced features.

iCloud Keychain

Of course, if you don't want to pay for or use a third-party service, there is also an iCloud Keychain built into your Mac and iOS devices. With Keychain, your basic login details (usernames and passwords) should be saved automatically and synced across your devices through iCloud. You need to do nothing aside from turning it on in the iCloud pane in System Preferences.

Stay safe and secure online

These are some of the best options on the Mac App Store for password management on your Mac. It's crucial to use strong, randomized passwords so no one can easily guess them if they're trying to get to your information and change passwords often. And never use the same password more than once! These apps help keep you and your data secure online.

As part of an effort to help you save space on your computer while keeping you connected to everything important to you, Macs support Desktop & Documents Folders syncing in iCloud Drive.

With Desktop & Documents Folders iCloud Drive syncing enabled in macOS Monterey, every photo, file, and folder you save to your desktop will automatically keep in iCloud. You can access it from your best iPhone, iPad, another Mac, and even a Windows-based PC via iCloud Drive, the Files app, or iCloud.com.

It also means that every file, folder, or document usually stored in your best Mac's Documents folder will automatically save in iCloud.

No matter where you are or what you do, your most important files can be stored in the cloud, making it possible for you to access them from anywhere.

Should you use Desktop and Documents Folders syncing on your Mac?

When you first set up your Mac, you will be prompted to turn on Desktop & Documents Folders syncing. However, you can hold off on enabling the feature and manually turn it on later. Why would you choose to wait? Mainly, iCloud storage space.

You can't choose Desktop OR Documents folders so consider how much space both will use in your iCloud storage.

If you are on Apple's free 5GB iCloud Storage plan and have no intention of upgrading, you probably shouldn't turn on Desktop & Documents Folders syncing in iCloud. It does count against your storage and can potentially eat up a lot of it. Even if you don't have very many files or folders on your desktop, the Documents folder is usually where your Mac automatically stores files from third-party apps and programs, and it might be massive.

You can also upgrade your iCloud storage, choosing the package that matches your needs.

If you are nearing your iCloud storage limit at any tier and don't plan on upgrading, it might be better to hold off on using Desktop & Documents Folders in iCloud until you've freed up space in your storage. Depending on what you have in your Documents folder and what you keep on your desktop, it can take up anywhere from just a few GBs of space to a few dozen GBs of space.

Here's how to save your Desktop and Documents folder to iCloud Drive:

How to add Desktop and Documents Folders to iCloud on Mac

If you didn't enable Desktop & Documents Folders syncing in iCloud when you first set up your Mac, you can do so at anytime by following these directions.

1. Launch System Preferences on your Mac.
2. Select Apple ID in the upper right corner.
3. Click the Options button next to iCloud Drive.

4. Check off the box for Desktop and Document Folders.
5. Click Done in the bottom right corner of the window.

Your files and folders will be added to iCloud, where you can access them from your iPhone or iPad using the Files app, another Mac, or even a PC via iCloud Drive or iCloud.com.

How to access your Desktop and Documents Folder on iPhone and iPad in the Files app

Once your desktop and Documents folders are stored in iCloud, you can access and even edit them on your iPhone or iPad.

1. Open the Files app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap iCloud Drive.
3. Choose the Desktop or Documents folder, then the file you want to open.

You can even edit some documents right inside the Files app without opening another app.

How to remove desktop files from iCloud Drive

Whenever you move a file from your desktop to another place on your Mac, like a folder stored in your computer or Dropbox, it will be transferred to the new location and deleted from iCloud Drive. As a result, it will no longer be accessible from your other devices.

You have to drag and drop it from your desktop into a new, non-Cloud location. You will see a pop-up asking you to confirm the changes. Click move to continue.

How to stop syncing Desktop and Documents folders to iCloud Drive on your Mac

If you decide that syncing your desktop and Documents folder is not for you, you can always revert to the old way by disabling the syncing feature.

1. Launch System Preferences on your Mac.
2. Select Apple ID in the upper right corner.
3. Click the Options button next to iCloud Drive.

4. Check off the box for Desktop and Document Folders.
5. Choose Turn Off in the pop-up box.
6. Select Done in the bottom right corner of the window.

Remember that disabling Desktop & Documents syncing with iCloud doesn't mean that your files will automatically move back to their original locations. Instead, they will remain available in your iCloud Drive in the Documents and Desktop folders. You'll have to manually move the contents back to your Mac's local disk from iCloud to revert to the way things were before turning on Desktop & Documents syncing.

Great feature

As you can see, the Desktop & Documents Folders feature makes it possible to access important files across multiple devices and sync. It's a valuable tool that can save precious device space if needed.

Updated May 2022: Updated for macOS Monterey.

On Tuesday, Apple previewed new accessibility features coming to their platforms this year, including new navigation, health, and communication tools alongside Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD).

Among these announcements was the expansion of their Accessibility Assistant shortcut to Mac and Apple Watch to "help recommend accessibility features based on user preferences".

The new shortcuts have now been released in the "Shortcuts for Accessibility" category in the Gallery for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with the 26 Accessibility shortcuts that users can add right away in their Shortcuts app.

Accessibility Assistant shortcuts

Apple first introduced the Accessibility Assistant for iPhone and iPad for last year's GAAD in 2021, previewing the capability on YouTube in a short demo:

On Twitter, the Apple Support account also shared a set of photos (with alternate text) explaining how to find the Shortcuts for Accessibility banner in the in-app Gallery:

The new Mac Accessibility Assistant and Apple Watch Accessibility Assistants announced this week take advantage of the new actions introduced with Shortcuts for Mac and watchOS this year, recommending features across all platforms that work well for each person's specific conditions. (This shortcut for the Shortcuts app is not to be confused with the Accessibility shortcut button, which is another useful feature).

The Accessibility Assistant shortcuts work like this (shown only for Mac):

1. Each shortcut gives you a prompt to choose a category of conditions that you might need assistance with; select Done to continue.

2. Once you select a category, a list of conditions is shown; choose a condition and select Done to continue.

3. The shortcut will ask you if you want to specify more conditions; choose Add more to repeat Step 1 and Step 2, or press Finished to continue.

4. The shortcut will then create a new note in the Notes app and show the note to you; it will contain a set of recommend features to explore that are specific to your conditions.

The shortcut works the same across all three versions, but includes different recommendations specific to each platform's available features.

These instructions are fairly detailed and are great for learning all about what Accessibility features will be good for you, however it might be a lot to digest all at once. Make sure to take your time and explore the features as you read the note, as it may help to see them working in practice.

Accessibility shortcuts

Once you've figured out some of the Accessibility features you might want to use, it's time to get some of Apple's shortcuts from the Gallery to automate the process of using them.

To help you get the shortcuts quicker, we've collected the links to each shortcut and their descriptions here (and grouped them into our own custom categories) — however, you should also look at the shortcuts in the Gallery for Apple's longer descriptions as well:

Accessibiltiy Assistant shortcuts

The first set of shortcuts are the Accessibility Assistant shortcuts themselves, which you can run on any device:

• iPhone & iPad Accessibility Assistant
• Mac Accessibility Assistant
• Apple Watch Accessibiltiy Assistant

Shortcuts for Accessibility features

The second set of shortcuts in the Gallery section deal with specific Accessibility features and quick-access controls. Try setting these up in a Shortcuts widget on your favorite iPad:

• Toggle Switch Control: Toggle Switch Control on or off with a tap.
• Toggle Voice Control: Toggle Voice Control on or off with a tap.
• Toggle VoiceOver: Toggle VoiceOver on or off with a tap.
• Toggle AssistiveTouch: Toggle AssistiveTouch on or off with a tap.
• Toggle Closed Captions: Toggle Closed Captions on or off with a tap.
• Toggle Increase Contrast: Toggle Increase Contrast on or off with a tap.
• Toggle Reduce Transparency: Toggle Reduce Transparency on or off with a tap.
• Change Text Size: Increase the text size on your device.

Accessibility Shortcuts for Communication

Our third grouping consists of the communication-based shortcuts in the Gallery. Use these with your family or care team to make everyday messages more streamlined and require less overhead:

• Check In Message: Asks about stress and energy levels using emoji, and sends a message to someone to check in.
• In Case of Emergency: Send location to contacts, request support, and display message on screen.
• Share with Care Team: Share content with your care team from the Share Sheet.
• Help Message: Send a message and location information to your emergency contact(s).
• Contact On Home Screen: Connect with someone easily by placing their photo on the Home screen.
• Pain Report: This shortcut will speak phrases to communicate where you're in pain.
• What Do I Need?: Choose phrases identified by emojis, to quickly articulate how you feel and what you need.

Accessibility Shortcuts for Productivity

Our fourth category includes the productivity-specific shortcuts that can help anyone get more done, as well as track what they've been doing:

• Batch-add reminders: Add multiple reminders into the Reminders app at once, by entering multiple lines of text, or running from the Share Sheet.
• Time tracking: Track time spent on activities, such as work, meditation, therapy sessions, having support workers onsite, or behavior incidents.
• Speak Meeting Someone New: This shortcut will speak helpful phrases when meeting someone new and sharing contact details.
• Share Contact Details: Share your contact details quickly with others.
• QR Your Shortcuts: Create and print a QR code for a shortcut for quick access.
• QR Your Wi-Fi: Convert your Wi-Fi password into a QR code.
• Do Not Disturb Timer: Set a timer to silence notifications and help you concentrate.

Accessibility Shortcuts for Daily Life

The final group of shortcuts are help for common situations you might want to automate:

• Speak Brush Teeth Routine: Follow these steps morning and night to get the routine just right.
• Mood Journal: Create a note recording your thoughts and feelings in any situation.
• Special Day Countdown: Use a GIF to share your mood with others.
• Clipboard A GIF Mood: Countdown to a special day.

Apple's commitment to Accessibility with Shortcuts

It's encouraging to see Apple's continued commitment with Accessibility via the Shortcuts app, which has had a long history of supporting accessibility.

In the acquisition of the Workflow app that became the Shortcuts app, Apple's only quote to TechCrunch referenced its accessibility potential:

Plus, in a piece published near the announcement of the original Accessibility Assistant shortcut, Apple gave this statement to MacStories:

We hope to see more accessibility shortcuts from Apple in the future, including an expansion of the actions available — there are many features not yet available that users could benefit from, and every Accessibility feature should be available in Shortcuts as soon as possible.

Plus, Apple could make an Accessibility Assistant for the Apple TV, which does provide a nice set of functions specific to that platform that can be automated using the Apple TV Remote actions in Shortcuts already available — just saying 😇.

Read more about full set of announcements for Global Accessibility Awareness Day on Apple.com.

macOS Big Sur is now available to the public, but there is still a developer beta line that needs testing before Apple launches new iterations to the public. Apple provides a beta version of its macOS releases to developers so that they can test their apps against it and prepare for the release to Mac owners.

This guide is for installing the developer beta of macOS Big Sur. Want to download the latest public version of macOS Big Sur? Here's where you'll want to go:

• How to download and install macOS Big Sur on your Mac

What's new in the macOS Big Sur beta?

The first developer beta of macOS Big Sur 11.6.7 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

The second release candidate of macOS Big Sur 11.6.1 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

The second release candidate of macOS Big Sur 11.5 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

The release candidate of macOS Big Sur 11.5 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

The fifth beta of macOS Big Sur 11.5 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

The fourth beta of macOS Big Sur 11.5 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

The third beta of macOS Big Sur 11.5 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

The second beta of macOS Big Sur 11.5 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

The first beta of macOS Big Sur 11.5 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

The release candidate of macOS Big Sur 11.4 is now available for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has launched the third beta of macOS Big Sur 11.4 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has launched the second beta of macOS Big Sur 11.4 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Hot on the heels of the seeding of the Release Candidate for macOS 11.3, Apple has just launched the first beta of macOS Big Sur 11.4 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just release the Release Candidate of macOS Big Sur 11.3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just release the eighth beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just release the seventh beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just release the sixth beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just release the fifth beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just release the fourth beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just release the third beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just release the second beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just release the first beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just launched the macOS Big Sur 11.2 Release Candidate 3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just launched the macOS Big Sur 11.2 Release Candidate 2 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just launched the macOS Big Sur 11.2 Release Candidate for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just launched macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta 2 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just launched macOS Big Sur 11.2 beta 1 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just launched the release candidate for macOS Big Sur 11.1 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released the second macOS Big Sur 11.1 beta for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released the first macOS Big Sur 11.1 beta for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released the second macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 release candidate for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released the macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 release candidate for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 beta 1 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 10 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 9 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 8 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 7 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 6 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 5 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 4 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 3 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 2 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

Apple has just released macOS Big Sur beta 1 for developers. Follow the instructions below to get started with the macOS Big Sur beta. If you've been waiting for macOS Big Sur to start testing with macOS, now's the time to start downloading.

• How to make an archived backup of your Mac
• How to download the macOS Big Sur developer beta
• How to install the macOS Big Sur developer beta
• How to install the macOS Big Sur beta on a partition or external drive
• How to get started with the macOS Big Sur developer beta

How to make an archived backup of your Mac with Time Machine

Before you begin, make sure you back up your Mac. The download and installation process is fairly easy, but any time you make significant changes to your computer, you risk problems. When it comes to securing your data, it is definitely better to be safe than sorry. Even if you just backed everything up the night before, make sure your Mac is completely up-to-date.

1. Connect an external hard disk or Time Capsule with a USB, FireWire, or Thunderbolt cable.
2. Click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your screen.
3. Select System Preferences... from the dropdown menu.
4. Select Time Machine in the System Preferences window.
5. Turn the Time Machine slider On.
6. Click Select Backup Disk and choose the disk you'd like to use.

Time Machine will format the hard drive for backups and start within two minutes.

How to download the macOS Big Sur developer beta

Downloading the latest beta on your Mac is as simple as visiting Apple's developer portal.

1. Visit developer.apple.com on your Mac.
2. Click on the Discover tab.
3. Click on the macOS tab.
4. Click Download.
5. Log in with your developer account if prompted to do so.
6. Scroll down and click on the Install Profile button for macOS Big Sur. The file will automatically download to your Mac.
7. Open your Downloads window and select macOS Big Sur Developer Beta Access Utility.
8. Double-click macOSDeveloperBetaAccessUtility.pkg to run the installer.

When the installer is finished downloading, System Preferences will automatically check for an update to macOS. Click Update to download and install the developer beta software. After the software has been downloaded, the installation process will begin as normal.

If the latest developer beta does not appear on the Updates list, restart your Mac. Then, open the Mac App Store and click the Updates tab.

The developer beta update can take a long time to finish downloading, depending on the size. You can check the status in the Updates tab of the Mac App Store.

How to install the macOS Big Sur developer beta

After macOS Big Sur is finished downloading, you will be prompted to install the software automatically.

1. Click on Continue.
2. Agree to Apple's Terms and Conditions.
3. Click on Install.
4. Follow the instructions to install macOS Big Sur.

Your Mac will reboot to install macOS Big Sur. You'll see a black screen with the Apple Logo and a progress bar. Grab a cup of coffee while you wait for the software to finish installing.

How to install the macOS Big Sur beta on a partition

To keep your Mac's data from getting corrupted by a beta operating system, you can partition your Mac's hard drive to run macOS Big Sur in tandem with your current operating system.

1. Create a partition on your Mac if you haven't already done so.
2. Select Continue when the download is finished and ready to install.
3. Agree to the terms.
4. Click Agree to confirm that you have read the terms.
5. Select Show All Disks to switch from your main partition.
6. Select the partition you wish to install the software on.
7. Click Install.

The installation helper will allow you to transfer information from your current operating system, or you could choose to do a clean installation to start your Mac from scratch.

How to get started with the macOS Big Sur developer beta

Once your Mac reboots, you'll be set up with macOS Big Sur. You'll have to follow a couple of steps to get started.

1. Click on Continue.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. iCloud will sync your desktop and other files.
3. Click on Get Started.

You'll be directed to your Home screen where you can start digging around to find all of the fun new features.

On Launchpad on Mac, you can find all of your apps, regardless of where they are installed. While you can expect few problems on Launchpad with apps installed in the Applications folder, the same can't be said for titles downloaded and stored elsewhere. Occasionally, installed apps aren't showing up under Launchpad. Conversely, you might see icons for apps that are no longer on your computer. In times like these, the Launchpad database gets corrupted.

Luckily, there's a quick fix for it! Here's how to reset Launchpad on macOS Monterey on all the best Macs!

How to reset Launchpad on your Mac

1. Go to the Finder on your Mac.
2. Hold down the Option key and click on the Go menu.
3. Select Library.
4. Open the Application Support folder.

5. Click on the Dock folder.
6. Delete all the files ending in ".db."

7. Empty the Trash on your Mac.
8. Restart your Mac.

Once your Mac has restarted, it will automatically rebuild the Launchpad database and repopulate it with an accurate count of the apps you have on your Mac.

Easy fix

As you can see, it's relatively simple to reset Launchpad on your Mac when there is a problem. Follow the steps, and be on your way!

May 2022: Updated for the latest version of macOS.

You have to back up your Mac. If you don't, you will lose something essential, and there will be nothing you can do to get it back. Therefore, back up, and do it now. And do it using one of the solutions below.

Why do you need to back up?

One copy of your data is no copies at all. That's because hard drives and solid-state drives (SSD) fail. By contrast, two copies of your data are really just one copy since there's a chance both could fail at the same time.

To make sure your data is safe, you want to back it up in a way that minimizes the chance you could ever lose it. Realistically, that means a local backup and an off-site or online backup.

What's a local backup, and how do you do it?

A local backup takes the data on the best Macs and copies it to another drive in your home or office. Both copies are in the same physical location, so you can quickly get to the backup when and if you need it, and either keep it up-to-date or restore it if something terrible happens to the original.

There are a couple of ways to do a local backup. The first and easiest is with Apple's built-in Time Machine feature as knowing how to back up your Mac with Time Machine takes hardly any time at all.

What's Time Machine, and how do I use it?

Time Machine is the easiest way to get started with local backups. Because it's built right into macOS, there's no additional software to buy. Instead, you need an external drive to get started. In addition, Time Machine is supported by popular mass-storage (NAS) devices, so it can scale as much as you need.

Time Machine makes backing up your Mac a set-it-and-forget-it experience. Once enabled, you don't have to do anything else. You need an external hard drive attached to your computer.

What about "cloning" for local back up?

The significant advantage of cloning is that it makes a byte-for-byte copy of your drive. If anything happens to your Mac, you can boot from the clone and get back to work. You can worry about fixing your main drive or restoring any data for another time.

Many of us at iMore use SuperDuper! and rotate between two different backup drives. That way, we minimize the chance of losing anything should one of those drives fail. Carbon Copy Cloner will get the same job done, so you have options.

What's off-site backup?

Having a backup or two at home or the office is fine unless there's a fire, flood, or theft that eliminates everything. To avoid this, take one or more of your backup drives and store them at a different physical location to reduce that risk. It should be a place that you trust with your data and is far enough away that any disaster striking your site won't also strike the secondary area. So, not the neighbors, but your parent's or sibling's place across town, your office, or even a storage unit or safety deposit box at the bank a few blocks away would all be great.

The most convenient way to manage this is to swap the local and off-site drives once a week or month, depending on your needs. Take the hard drive with your latest local backup to the off-site location and bring back the older one to update. Then swap them again the next time.

This is also the best option if you have sensitive financial, health, or personal information that you don't want to trust to an online service, no matter how secure.

What about online or cloud backup?

We live in the age of the internet. While local and offsite backups are a good enough solution to recommend them, there are considerable advantages to going to the cloud.

Similar to Time Machine, online backup "just works." You pay for a subscription, download a utility, start it up, and then it churns away in the background copying your data to giant server farms and updating it as and when needed.

There's typically also an option to send or receive hard drives if you have a large amount of data to get you started or in the event you need to recover.

BackBlaze and Carbonite are reliable services that have been around for years.

What about iCloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive — can't you use them?

If BackBlaze or Carbonite are like disk cloning in the cloud, iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and the other storage providers are like copying a few critical files over. They're convenient to keep things in sync and restore a few files here and there if and when you need to, but if you lose your entire Mac, you won't be able to restore and go back unless you've stored a disk image about your business.

Most of them have free and cheap plans and are well worth using in addition to an online backup service because you can quickly and easily sync and recover files.

Back it up. Just back it up.

Pick a date. Set a calendar reminder. Every time it goes off, check your backups and improve your strategy as needed. Even though backups always feel like tomorrow's problem, losing your data can profoundly screw up your today. And odds are it will happen at some point, so be ready.

Begin backing up your Mac now!

Updated May 2022: Up to date with macOS Monterey.

Your Apple ID is the key to your personal Apple kingdom. It's what you use to sign in to iCloud, download apps from the App Store, play Apple Arcade games, and more.

If you don't have one yet, there are two easy ways to create an Apple ID. Here's how!

How to create an Apple ID using the Mac Music app

You can create a new Apple ID through the Music app on macOS Monterey on all the best Macs.

1. Launch Music from your Dock or the Finder.
2. Click Account on the toolbar.
3. Select Sign In from the pull-down menu

4. Click Create New Apple ID.
5. Enter your personal information on the Create Apple ID page, including your email and password. Verify your password in the provided box. The email address and password you use will be your Apple ID — don't forget them!
6. Click the checkbox to agree to the terms and conditions (after reading them, of course).
7. Select Continue.

8. Add your personal information, including first name, last name, and birthday.
9. Click Continue.

10. Add your payment information, including payment method, number, expiration date, and security code, and billing name and address. Apple won't charge you. You can also enter NONE as your payment information, bypassing the credit/bank account process.
11. Click Continue.

12. Choose Text Message or Phone Call to use to verify your identify.
13. Add your phone number.
14. Click Continue.

15. Enter the verification code you received from text or phone call.
16. Click Verify
17. Enter the verification code you received through email.
18. Click Verify

That's it — you're ready to go.

How to create an Apple ID on the web

If you're on Android or using Windows, this is the best way to create an Apple ID.

1. Visit appleid.apple.com.
2. Click Create Your Apple ID at the bottom.
3. Enter the required information. The email address and password you use will be your Apple ID — don't forget them!
4. Click Continue at the bottom of the page. You'll receive an email with a verification code.

5. Enter the six-digit verification code from the email you received.
6. Click Continue.

Your Apple ID is born! From here, you can add credit cards to buy apps and iTunes content, add a shipping/billing address, and more!

Unlock the world of Apple

There's not much you can do with your Apple devices without an Apple ID. These directions will get you started and let you enjoy everything Cupertino offers.

Updated May 2022: These are still the best ways to create your Apple ID and gain access to all Apple has to offer.

In recent years, Apple has really leaned into its pro-privacy stance, and it is always looking to make its hardware and software safer and more secure for its users. One thing it can't control, though, is the privacy practices of third-party apps.

Thankfully, Apple has made it much easier to figure out which apps are best at protecting your privacy with the addition of Mac App Store privacy labels. These privacy labels are designed to help users understand how apps handle their data to decide which ones work for you. Displayed on an app's listing in the App Store, both on iOS and macOS, privacy labels enable you to make an informed assessment before you hit the download button.

Here's how to view and read privacy labels in the Mac App Store.

How to find app privacy labels in the Mac App Store

It's easy to find out more about a Mac app's privacy practices if you know where to look. Here's how to find app privacy labels in the Mac App Store.

1. Launch the App Store on your Mac.
2. Tap on the app which you'd like to check the privacy labels for.

3. Scroll the App Store listing for the app beyond the user ratings and reviews.

Here you'll see the App Privacy section, which displays Data Used to Track You, Data Linked to You, and Data Not Linked to You.

How to read more details about an app's privacy labels in the Mac App Store

Depending on an app's purpose, the App Privacy section could show relatively little information or a ton of entries. However, if you want to know more about what each line item means, you can see more detail easily with the below steps.

1. Follow the above guidance to locate an app's privacy labels.
2. Select See Details to show a more detailed breakdown of the privacy labels.

This page provides a little more information about what each privacy label means for the app you are viewing, which should help you decide if it's the right app for you.

An informed decision

If you want the best Mac experience possible, you're likely going to want to install some third-party apps on your machine.

Mac App Store privacy labels help to inform your decision-making process when choosing your next favorite app. If you value your privacy, you can easily see which apps gather the least information via their privacy labels.

Primarily use your iPhone to download apps? Find out how to view app privacy reports for even more control of your privacy.

Updated May 2022: Updated for macOS Monterey.

In macOS Monterey, you can use the real-time text (RTT) protocol for conversational text calls. In the United States, you can make and receive RTT calls on Macs introduced in 2012 and later, except for the Mac Pro. With RTT, you can transmit conversational text as it is typed or created. The newest technologies that make this possible include instant messaging, Text over IP, and IP relay. Here's how to do it.

To use RTT on any of our favorite Macs, you must have macOS Mojave 10.14.2 or later. It would help if you also had an iPhone with a carrier plan from AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon. Standard voice call rates apply.

How to set up RTT on Mac

To use RTT on Mac, you must first set up Wi-Fi calling on your iPhone and add your Mac as one of the other devices to be used for Wi-Fi calling.

From there:

1. Choose the Apple icon at the top left of your Mac.
2. Select System Preferences from the pull-down menu.
3. Click Accessibility.

4. Select RTT in the sidebar.
5. Toggle On Enable RTT.

6. Toggle On Send Immediately to send characters as you type them.
7. Enter the U.S. RTT relay number, 711.

RTT is ready to go on your Mac.

How to make an RTT call on Mac

You use FaceTime to make RTT calls on Mac. You can begin either through the Contacts or FaceTime app.

To use with Contacts:

1. Click Finder on the Mac dock.
2. Choose Go on the menu bar.

3. Select Applications.
4. Choose Contacts.

5. Select the RTT button for the person you want to call by moving the pointer over the person's phone number.

To use with FaceTime directly:

1. Click Finder on the Mac dock.
2. Choose Go on the menu bar.

3. Select Applications.
4. Choose FaceTime.

5. Click the audio button next to the contact or after entering a phone number.
6. Choose RTT Call or RTT Relay Call from the pop-up menu.

Once a call gets answered:

1. Click RTT to begin exchanging text messages. While texting, you can also speak through your microphone, if available, or click Mute to mute your microphone.
2. Type your message.
3. Press Return or click the send arrow to send it. If Send Immediately is turned on in RTT preferences, the other person sees your message as you type it.
4. To hide your conversation, click RTT. While the conversation is hidden, you won't see the other person's messages. Click the button again to return to the discussion.

How to answer and end an RTT call on Mac

To answer an RTT call on Mac:

1. Click Accept to answer it.
2. Select RTT to begin exchanging text messages.

To end an RTT call on Mac, click End.

More about accessibility

Macs offer terrific accessibility tools, including those shown above. Sometimes even if you don't technically need to use the accessibility tools, they can help you to have a more organized and smooth Mac experience. Start using them today to maximize your computing work and entertainment.

Updated May 2022: Updated for macOS Monterey.

There are many reasons you may want to use a virtual machine on your Mac. Perhaps you need to run a copy of Windows on your device for work purposes. Maybe the goal is to run another instance or version of macOS on your computer for compatibility reasons. Or perhaps you want a copy of Linux on your computer.

Whatever the circumstances, there are various ways to run a virtual machine on your Mac. Here's a closer look at the best options available.

What is a virtual machine?

Software virtualization allows you to simulate a hardware environment and run multiple operating systems on one computer. These software-created virtual machines take advantage of the hardware components on a computer, such as RAM and storage, in complete isolation from the primary operating system. Among the most popular virtualization options for Mac users are Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion, and VirtualBox.

Parallels Desktop 17

My favorite way to virtualize, Parallels, gets better each year. The latest version, Parallels Desktop 17, offers 25% faster 2D graphics and 28% faster DirectX 11. It's also lightning fast with up to 38% faster Windows resume time vs. previous Parallels versions.

To date, nearly 1,600 PC games require DirectX 11, which means you can now experience all of them on your Mac through Parallels virtualization. Noted Windows apps you can run on your Mac include Autodesk 3ds Max 2020, Lumion, ArcGIS Pro, etc.

Beyond this, Parallels Desktop 17 is also fully compatible and optimized for macOS Monterey. It also works with macOS Big Sur 11.1 or newer, macOS Catalina 10.15.7 or newer, macOS Mojave 10.14.6 or newer, and macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 or newer.

Parallels Desktop 17 is the company's flagship consumer product and is available through a free trial, regardless of the version you choose. The home version is $80 or $50 for an upgrade, while the professional version is $100 per year. The former doesn't include free updates to future versions of Parallels Desktop but also has no expiration date. The professional version does include free upgrades. Once a new version gets released, you can download it from the Parallels website. New versions of Parallels typically arrive when Apple releases a new version of macOS, usually in the fall.

Who this is for: Parallel offers a no-nonsense approach to virtualization. Grab a copy if you're looking for a solution that just works.

VMWare Fusion 12

Parallel's closest virtualization competitor, Fusion, is another great choice for consumers. Created by Dell Computer's VMWare, the latest version of Fusion (12) has been designed to take advantage of the latest macOS tools.

Like Parallels, Fusion lets you create a virtual machine through software that can run separately from your macOS installation. In this case, you can use Fusion with Windows 11 (or another operating system) through a window on your Mac desktop or in full-screen mode. With Fusion's unity mode, you can run Windows-based applications on your computer as if they were Mac apps. Beginning with Fusion 11, support was added for Apple's Metal graphics system. It also supports Touch Bar on a MacPro Pro.

Fusion 12 is available for $149 for a full version and $79 for an update. A professional version is also available for IT environments. All versions come with a 14-day free trial.

The VMWare Fusion interface doesn't look nearly as nice as the one offered by Parallels, but it's close. If you're familiar with other VMWare products, including Workstation Pro for Windows, Fusion is probably the path for you, although check out both products if you can.

Fusion 12 is available for download from the VMWare website.

Who this is for: VMWare's Fusion 12 is nearly as good as Parallels 17. Fusion is probably the one for you if you're familiar with VMWare products.

VirtualBox 6.1

When using software, I expect a polished experienced. Unfortunately, Oracle's VirtualBox is the least polished virtualization title on this list. Despite this, some essential differences between it and Parallels and VMware Fusion might make it a better solution, depending on your situation.

Perhaps the most crucial reason to consider VirtualBox is that it's free, at least for personal or educational use. Another advantage: Oracle has released VirtualBox as open-source, which offers more flexibility to end-users than the other solutions. Unfortunately, VirtualBox doesn't provide technical support because it's open-source, although there's an active user forum.

But again, it's important to circle back around to VirtualBox's interface, which isn't nearly as slick or easy to use as the others. If you're an IT professional or someone with the time to play around with open-source software, by all means, consider VirtualBox. Otherwise, pay for a copy of Parallels 15 or VMware Fusion 11.5.

VirtualBox is available to download online. It's available for Mac, Windows, Linux, and Solaris too.

Who this is for: Open-source software is preferred by many computer users, and for those folks, VirtualBox is a great choice. Plus, it's free.

What about Apple's Bootcamp?

If you rather not use a third-party solution, consider Apple's Boot Camp. Built into macOS, the software isn't run on virtualization technology. Instead, it lets you boot your Mac into another operating system at startup, either a separate version of macOS or a copy of Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10.

Note: Bootcamp does not work with Apple silicon Macs. All of the best Macs now on the market use Apple silicon.

The most significant disadvantage of using Boot Camp over virtualization is that you can't access your primary operating system simultaneously. This means, for example, you can't check your Apple Mail at the same time as you're using Windows.

On the flip side, with Boot Camp, there's no hardware sharing. Therefore, only the active operating system uses your system's graphics card and processor. If you own an older Mac, you might experience a significant performance jump versus virtualization.

Who this is for: If you want to run Windows nearly exclusively on your Mac, Boot Camp is almost certainly the choice. If you plan on going back and forth often between Mac and Windows, pick another solution.

About Windows licenses

Unlike macOS, Windows isn't free. Therefore, regardless of the virtualization solution you choose, understand that you still need to purchase a Windows license to use the operating system on your Mac long-term. A Windows 10 Home license will set you back $139, while Windows 10 Pro is $199.

Different choices

Virtualization is essential for Mac users who need to use Windows or another operating system on occasion. Although our favorite viritualization software is Parallels, we also recommend VMWare and VirtualBox. If you own an Intel-based Mac, you might want to consider Bootcamp — which will cost you nothing!

No matter which you choose, these software options will allow you to run a different OS on your best Mac so you can be as productive as possible!

Updated May 2022: With new updates and formatting.

When Shortcuts came to iOS, it was a huge deal. Finally, Apple gave us ways to customize and streamline our workflows and make our lives easier. Now, the Mac is joining in on the fun. In macOS Monterey, you can create shortcuts right on your Mac, so you don't have to create shortcuts on just your iPhone.

Any shortcuts you create in Mac will appear on your iPhone as well, and vice-versa, making it easy to edit and create shortcuts on typically the biggest Apple screen you have. With shortcuts, your best Mac got even better. Here's how to create a shortcut on macOS Monterey.

How to create a Shortcut on macOS Monterey

As you may have suspected, everything Shortcuts starts in the Shortcuts app.

1. Launch Shortcuts.
2. Click new shortcut. It's the + at the top of the app window.

3. Drag shortcut options from the sidebar on the right-hand side to build your shortcut.
4. Click on Shortcut name. It's in the top left of the app window.

5. Type the name you want.
6. Click the close button on the window. It's the red x in the top left corner.

You've now created a Shortcut doing all the things you programmed it to do.

How to edit a shortcut on macOS Monterey

Of course, you'll need to tinker with your shortcut from time to time, and you can easily do that in the app.

1. Launch Shortcuts.
2. Double-click on the shortcut you want to edit.

From here, you'll be able to edit the Shortcut to your liking.

How to delete a shortcut on macOS Monterey

You can delete a Shortcut any time you want; just remember once you do, it's gone.

1. Launch Shortcuts.
2. Right-click/Control-click on the shortcut you want to delete.
3. Click Delete.

Explore Shortcuts even more!

Shortcuts open up a huge new world of possibilities on all your devices, and we're glad to see macOS Monterey has jumped in on the fun. This is just a quick overview of how to create and edit Shortcuts on your Mac, but, if you're new to Shortcuts and want to explore more of what they can offer, check out our guide for getting started with shortcuts for everything you need to know!

Updated May 2022: Updated for the latest version of macOS Monterey.

Whether you want to organize your day-to-day life a little bit better or want to know what day of the week your birthday falls on, the Calendar on your Mac can help you out. As with many Apple software titles, your Calendar is synced with your other devices if you're signed in with the same iCloud account.

How to add a calendar on Mac

In the Calendar app, you can see and view multiple calendars making it easy to differentiate your work meetings and appointments from your engagements and events. No matter how busy your life gets, you can add as many calendars as necessary.

1. Launch the Calendar app on your Mac. If it's not on your dock, you can find it in your Launchpad.
2. Click on File up in the menu bar.

3. Click on New Calendar
4. Type a name for the Calendar
5. Hit Enter.

How to add an event to a calendar on Mac

1. Launch the Calendar app on your Mac. If it's not on your dock, you can find it in your Launchpad.
2. Double click on the date you want to add an event to.

3. Type in a name for the event.
4. Click on the hour, minutes, and AM/PM of the start time and adjust accordingly.

5. Click on the hour, minutes, and AM/PM of the end time and adjust accordingly.
6. Click on Repeat if you want the event to repeat. This is an optional step.
7. Click on Travel time if you want to add a note for yourself of how long it will take you to get there. Again, this is an optional step.
8. Click on Alert to set up notifications for the event. This is an optional step.

9. Tap the calendar menu it's the little colored box in the top right corner of the event window.
10. Click on the calendar you want the event to be added.
11. Hit Enter on your keyboard.

How to set days per week and the start of week day in Calendar on Mac

Depending on how you like to schedule your life, you can modify how the week appears in your calendars. For example, you can change how many days you see when you're in Week View and what day indicates the start of a new week.

1. Launch the Calendar app on your Mac. If it's not on your dock, you can find it in your Launchpad.
2. Click the Week tab.

3. Click Calendar from the menu bar.
4. Click Preferences.

5. Click on the dropdown menu beside Days per week.
6. Click on 5 or 7.

1. Launch the Calendar app on your Mac. If it's not on your dock, you can find it in your Launchpad.
2. Click the Week tab.

3. Click Calendar from the menu bar.
4. Click Preferences.

5. Click on the dropdown menu beside Start week on.
6. Click the day you want to use.

How to set how often Calender refreshes

If you want your calendars across all your devices to sync automatically, or you'd rather push them manually, you can change the time between refreshes in your preferences.

1. Launch the Calendar app on your Mac. If it's not on your dock, you can find it in your Launchpad.
2. Click Calendar from the menu bar.

3. Click Preferences.
4. Click on the Accounts tab.

5. Click on the dropdown menu.
6. Click on the time interval you want.

How to set notifications in Calendar on Mac

While you can customize alerts for events when you create them, you can set all events you create to have default notifications if you want to save yourself some time.

1. Launch the Calendar app on your Mac. If it's not on your dock, you can find it in your Launchpad.
2. Click Calendar from the menu bar.

3. Click Preferences.
4. Click on the Alerts tab.

5. Click on the Events dropdown menu.
6. Click on the time you want notifications to alert you.

How to enable and disable calendars on Mac

If you want to filter the events quickly you see on your Calendar, you can easily enable or disable the visible calendars whenever you want.

1. Launch the Calendar app on your Mac. If it's not on your dock, you can find it in your Launchpad.
2. Click Calendars.

3. Click the check box beside the calendar you want to disable.
4. Click the check box again when you want to view that calendar again.

Stay on top of your appointments

As you can see, the Calendar app for Mac has a lot of functionality. Use it to better organize your days, weeks, and years on all the best Macs on macOS Monterey.

Updated May 2022: Updated for macOS Monterey.

In macOS Monterey, Apple's brought a popular tool from iOS to the desktop. Can you guess what it is? That's right — Low Power Mode! With macOS Monterey, Low Power Mode is an option that you can set to automatically preserve battery life by turning down the screen brightness and system clock speed. It's a feature that works on all the best Macs.

How to use Low Power Mode With Battery Power

You must have a MacBook (early 2016 and later) running macOS Monterey or later to use Low Power Mode. To use the feature, follow these steps:

1. Launch System Preferences.
2. Choose the Battery.
3. Select Battery on the left side.

4. Check the Low power mode box. You might have to click on the lock image at the bottom to unlock this box.

Now your Mac should go into Low Power Mode whenever you are running just on the MacBook battery itself.

How to use Low Power Mode with power adapter

You can also use Low Power Mode when your Mac is connected to a power adapter by following these steps:

1. Launch System Preferences.
2. Choose the Battery pane.
3. Select Power Adapter on the left side.

4. Check the Low power mode box.

Time to save

It's nice to see Apple has finally added Low Power Mode to the best Macs. It's been a very popular feature on iPhone and iPad; undoubtedly, it will find much success on macOS Monterey and beyond.

Updated May 2022: Updated for macOS Monterey.

For years, FaceTime was limited to just one-on-one conversations. That all changed a couple of years ago when Apple added support for group FaceTime calls.

Now, you can participate in FaceTime Video and FaceTime Audio calls with up to 31 other people (for a total of 32). We'll show you how to start or join a group FaceTime call.

How to place a group FaceTime call using FaceTime on iPhone and iPad

The FaceTime app is the most obvious place to start when it comes to placing a FaceTime group call. It's pretty simple to set up with the below instructions.

1. Open FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap the + button in the upper-right corner.
3. Enter the name or number of a person you want to call.

4. Enter up to 30 additional contacts.
5. Tap Video or Audio to place your FaceTime call.

If you are already in a FaceTime call and want to add another person to the call, you can do so by tapping Add People and entering their name or number.

How to place a group FaceTime call using Messages on iPhone and iPad

FaceTime is also better integrated into the Messages app. You can use that integration to place a group FaceTime call to members of a group iMessage thread.

1. Open Messages on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on a group conversation or start a new one.

3. Tap the avatars of the conversation participants in the top-center of the screen.
4. Tap FaceTime.

How to join a group FaceTime call in Messages on iPhone and iPad

You can also join an in-progress group FaceTime call from a group iMessage thread if it's between people in that thread. Here's how.

1. Open Messages on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on a group conversation with an open FaceTime call.
3. Tap the green Join button in the FaceTime message bubble.

All together

FaceTime is one of the best iPhone features for keeping in touch with friends and family. As shown above, group FaceTime calls are so easy to start from your iPhone or iPad meaning that you can easily get chat with a bunch of people all at once.

Updated May 2022: Updated for iOS 15.

With the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) just a few weeks away, it's getting to be that time on the calendar when sites like iMore start predicting the changes expected to come to Apple's biggest operating systems. Today it's macOS 13, which should be announced alongside iOS 16, iPadOS 16, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9 on Monday, June 6.

Guessing Apple's plans for Mac seems to get more difficult each year. Two years ago, no one expected the massive changes that came with macOS Big Sur. A year later, macOS Monterey turned out to be a much bigger update than many of us had predicted, especially following Big Sur, although it was still a minor update.

For macOS 13, I'm only making five general predictions. Admittingly, many of these are being made by others across other tech sites. But, no, we're not copying one another. Instead, after 13 macOS iterations, there are only so many headline-grabbing changes Apple has yet to make on this long-running operating system. And predictions like these are always about possible game-changers, not the minor updates Apple also always packs into new macOS versions of the best Macs.

1. macOS name: Mammoth

Since 2013, Apple has named macOS versions after breathtaking locations in California, such as Yosemite, Mojave, and Catalina. In the past, the iPhone maker has trademarked the names of other places that haven't yet been used as a macOS name, such as Redwood, Condor, and Skyline.

As 9to5Mac explained in 2021, over the years Apple has abandoned most of those trademarks. At the time, two names remained alive at the U.S. Trademark Office: Monterey and Mammoth. With the former taken for macOS 12, the even-money says we could be introduced to "macOS 13 Mammoth" sometime after 10 a.m. PDT on June 6. Mammoth refers to the Mammoth Lakes region of California, which is known for its skiing and outdoor recreational activities.

If Apple chooses this naming route, macOS Mammoth will likely be an undoubtedly more extensive update than macOS Monterey.

2. Big changes to Time Machine and backups

Apple's built-in backup system still gets the job done, although it's not the most user-friendly feature Mac offers. And it lags behind how backups get handled on iPhones and iPad, which is arguably a much speedier process. Perhaps 2022 will be the year Apple brings iCloud Backup to Mac through a reinvention of Time Machine. However, what this would mean for the price of iCloud+ subscription plans remains unknown.

3. Better widgets

Macs have widgets and have for some time. Unfortunately, they lag far behind what's offered on iPhone and iPad. That will probably change with macOS 13. Expect better widgets with more flexibility; which could mean that the new widgets will be moveable anywhere on the desktop and offer more interactivity options. Currently, they serve as a speedy way to glance over notifications or a condensed version of information. For example, the Calendar widget will give you a peek into your week's upcoming events and reminders.

4. Please give us the weather, Apple

It's hard to believe there isn't a native Weather app on macOS. Although my heart will forever remain with Carrot Weather, a Weather App directly from Cupertino for Mac would be well-received by the public and would look gorgeous on MacBook Pro and Studio Displays. Currently, you can quickly check the weather on a Mac by using the Weather widget in the notifications center, but there is no actual app for it. When you click on the widget to discover more, it leads you to Weather.com in the browser.

5. One Mammoth new feature

There's a reason Apple has been holding back on using the word Mammoth in a macOS name — and it probably wasn't so it could fully develop a Time Machine option that includes iCloud Backups. So instead, I'll predict what's mammoth about this year's update is just how much closer it'll bring macOS to iOS/iPadOS from a design and feature standpoint. This could mean getting App Library and Apple Health on Mac for the first time, more Control Center options, etc.

Will macOS look exactly like iPadOS? Nope, but the similarities will be striking and will tell us a lot about where Apple plans on taking iPad and Mac in the coming years.

macOS — always getting better

MacOS will continue to evolve with each update, bringing minor tweaks such as security fixes to massive updates such as better widgets and brand new apps. With the exciting WWDC around the corner, it'll be interesting to see what we've gotten right about the new update and what we missed. What would you like to see in macOS 13?

FaceTime calls are a great way to stay in touch with people you care about, whether on an iOS device or a Mac. However, what do you do if you want to save those special moments or use FaceTime as an interview tool? Luckily, using your Mac or iPhone, you can record those calls to view later.

Here's how you can record FaceTime calls taken on both Mac and iPhone.

How to record a FaceTime call on your Mac

If you're looking to record a FaceTime call on your Mac, you can use macOS screen recording feature to your advantage.

1. Open FaceTime on your Mac.
2. Press Command + Shift + 5 on your keyboard.
3. Click Options on the screen capture menu.

4. Click a save location under Save to.
5. Click Built-in Microphone under Microphone.

6. Click Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion to select your recording area.
7. Click Record to start recording your screen.

8. Begin your FaceTime call.
9. Click the Stop Recording button after you end your FaceTime call. Your recording will be saved to your chosen location.

How to record a FaceTime call on your iPhone using your Mac

First things first: don't. Since you can't natively record a FaceTime call's audio using iOS screen recording on your iPhone, you need a Mac to record an iPhone FaceTime call. You can already record FaceTime calls on your Mac, as described above, so adding the phone to the mix makes little sense.

However, if you insist on recording a FaceTime call on your iPhone using your Mac, here's how.

1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to your Mac with a Lightning cable.
2. Open QuickTime on your Mac from your dock or Applications folder.
3. Click File in the Menu bar.

4. Click New Movie Recording.
5. Click the arrow next to the record button in the QuickTime window.

6. Choose your iPhone from the list of available cameras.
7. Unlock your iPhone. Its display should now appear in QuickTime on your Mac (my iPhone is called Duncan).

8. In QuickTime for Mac, make sure the volume bar is turned up. Otherwise, you won't be able to hear your call.
9. Open FaceTime on your iPhone.

10. Click the Record button in QuickTime on your Mac.
11. Place your FaceTime call on your iPhone.

12. Click the Stop button in QuickTime to stop recording when you've finished your call.
13. Click File in the Menu bar.

14. Click Save.
15. Give your recording a name.

16. Choose where you want to save your recording.
17. Click Save.

Record those calls

There are plenty of perfectly legitimate reasons to record your FaceTime calls, whether you're conducting an interview or joining a special occasion remotely. You'll need a best Mac in order to do so, but it's fairly straightforward once you know what you're doing.

Update April 2022: Updated for iOS 15 and macOS Monterey.

For a lot of us, Apple Music is our primary music streaming service. After all, it's already integrated into our best iPhones, works nicely with Siri and CarPlay, and is a part of the Apple One bundles for those really invested in Apple's ecosystem of services. Apple added Lossless and Dolby Atmos music formats for Apple Music at no additional cost for subscribers, so now you can enjoy your favorite music in even higher quality audio.

Even if you're not on iOS 15 with your current iPhone, like the iPhone 13 Pro, you can still enjoy Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio support. This is because everything is done server-side on Apple's end. As long as you are on the latest version of iOS 14 and later, then you can get Dolby Atmos and Lossless Audio.

But before you can immerse yourself in this unique and elevated music listening experience, you want to make sure that they're enabled first. Here's how to turn on Apple Music Lossless Audio and Dolby Atmos on iPhone and iPad.

How to turn on Apple Music Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio

It's important to note that Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio is actually on by default. However, you'll have the option to turn it off completely, or have it Always On, even when listening with headphones that don't support Dolby Atmos — if you go this route, you'll be listening to Dolby Atmos versions of supported songs instead of stereo versions.

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and select Music.
3. Tap Dolby Atmos. The default option is Automatic.

4. Choose whether you want to change the setting to Always On or Off.

Again, while you can listen to Dolby Atmos audio with any pair of headphones, you will need to make sure that the setting is on Always On. Otherwise, if it is left on Automatic, you can only get Dolby Atmos versions of tracks with Apple and Beats headphones, which are designed to handle Dolby Atmos audio much better. This includes AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, BeatsX, Beats Solo3 Wireless, Beats Studio3, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Flex, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Solo Pro, Beats Fit Pro, or Beats Studio Buds. Pretty much any Apple or Beats earbuds or headphones with the H1 or W1 chip will support Dolby Atmos with Spatial Audio.

How to turn on Apple Music Lossless Audio

Apple Music Lossless Audio is a little different from the Dolby Atmos version. With Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC), it's supposed to preserve every detail of the original audio. Basically, this is how the music was intended to be heard by the original artist. Keep in mind that Apple Music Lossless Audio will consume significantly more data than the High Efficiency or High Quality formats that Apple Music used before.

1. Launch Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and select Music.
3. Tap Audio Quality.

4. Tap the toggle for Lossless Audio to ON (green).

5. Under Cellular Streaming, Wi-Fi Streaming, and Downloads, select the audio quality that you want. Lossless starts at up to 24-bit/48kHz, while High-Resolution Lossless goes up to 24-bit/192kHz.

Remember that choosing a lossless quality for cellular streaming will use a significant amount of data over the default High Quality option, and Apple does not actually recommend it. You'll want to make sure that you have an unlimited data plan with your carrier on your best iPhone or iPad before choosing this option. It's also a good idea to make sure you have an excellent pair of headphones, preferably wired, to hear every last detail.

It's also good to note that any content that you had downloaded previously will continue to play in the original downloaded resolution. So if you want to have a lossless quality download, you'll want to delete the original songs and re-download them in Lossless or High-Resolution Lossless format.

Hear the music as it was meant to be heard

Sometimes you just want to immerse yourself in the music and tune everything else out. With Apple Music Lossless and Dolby Atmos with Spatial Audio, you'll get the best music listening experience yet on your iPhone and iPad. Just make sure that your data connection can handle the larger files, and grab your best pair of headphones to make the most of it.

Updated April 2022: These are still the steps to enable Dolby Atmos and Apple Music Lossless in iOS 15.

If you've learned how to use Optimized Storage on the Mac, you know it can help reduce the amount of space that data takes up on your hard drive. However, what you may not know is that it also takes up iCloud storage space.

The good news is macOS Monterey you can learn how to customize Optimized Storage on the Mac to choose what gets stored in iCloud and what doesn't so you can maximize your storage solutions. Striking a good balance between the hard drive and iCloud storage will make even your best Mac even more tailored to your liking. You can adjust some of the settings for what is stored in iCloud to save some space in your iCloud storage.

How to stop syncing Desktop and Documents folders in iCloud on your Mac

If you've tried out Desktop and Documents folder syncing in iCloud but decided you don't like it, you can stop syncing. If you disable syncing, Desktop files will no longer appear on a secondary Mac computer's desktop, but they will still be in a file in iCloud Drive, which you can move them out of. Your Documents folder will also still be visible in iCloud Drive, which you can also move.

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Click System Preferences in the drop-down menu.

3. Click on Apple ID.
4. Click on iCloud.

5. Click on Options next to iCloud Drive.
6. Click to uncheck the checkbox for Desktop & Documents Folders.

How to disable Optimized Storage on your Mac

Optimized Storage automatically removes iTunes movies and TV shows that you've already watched from your Mac. It also keeps recent email attachments on your Mac when your hard drive starts running out of room. If you want to keep your movies and TV shows on your hard drive, so you don't have to re-download them every time you want to watch them, you can disable the feature.

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

3. Click on Apple ID.
4. Click on iCloud.
5. Click to uncheck the checkbox at the bottom of the window for Optimize Mac Storage.

How to disable Empty Trash Automatically on your Mac

I can't see any reason not to use the Empty Trash Automatically feature. Still, if you worry that you will delete something from your Mac and need it back more than 30 days later, you can disable the feature and go back to manually emptying the trash.

1. Open a Finder window.
2. Click on Finder in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
3. Click Preferences in the drop-down menu.

4. Click on Advanced in the Finder Preferences window.
5. Click to uncheck the checkbox for Remove items from the Trash after 30 days.

How to customize what apps are stored in iCloud on your Mac

If your iCloud storage is starting to get full, you can select which apps and programs store data, clearing out space for more important data that you need to access all of the time.

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Click System Preferences in the drop-down menu.

3. Click on Apple ID.
4. Click on iCloud.

5. Click on Options next to iCloud Drive.
6. Click to uncheck the checkbox for each app whose data you do not wish to store in iCloud.

Note: Since the apps will no longer sync with iCloud, some features will be disabled, so make sure you want to remove their access to iCloud.

How to manage files and folders stored in iCloud on the Mac

You may want to keep some or all of your apps synced with iCloud, but you don't need to keep all of the files and folders saved in them. You can reduce some of the storage used up by removing unneeded data.

1. Open a Finder window.
2. Select iCloud Drive from the sidebar.

3. Double-click a folder to view its contents.
4. Select a file that you want to delete. You can select multiple files at once.
5. Right-click or Control-click on the files.
6. Select Move to trash to delete them.

You can also move files out of iCloud Drive and into another folder. Just make sure the folder you move files to isn't also being stored in iCloud.

How to stop using iCloud Photo Library on the Mac

For some, the Photo library is the biggest space hog in iCloud. It is incredibly convenient to store your pictures in the cloud and be able to access them from any device without having to use up hard drive space (or, in the case of the iPhone and iPad, device storage space). Still, it is also a burden on your iCloud storage limit. You can turn off iCloud Photo Library on all of your devices, which is inconvenient but frees up a lot of space in iCloud.

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.

3. Click on Apple ID.
4. Click on iCloud.

5. Click on Manage in the bottom right corner of the iCloud window.
6. Click on Photo Library from the sidebar.
7. Click on Turn off and Delete.

You'll have to manually download content that you previously stored in the iCloud Photo Library. You will have 30 days to download all of your photos and videos from iCloud Drive onto your Mac (you can also download them directly onto your iPhone or iPad, but I don't suggest doing that since they take up so much space).

1. Launch the Photos app.
2. Click on Photos in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.

3. Click Preferences in the drop down menu.
4. Click on Download Originals to this Mac.

How to delete iPhone and iPad iCloud backups on the Mac

When you back up your iPhone or iPad in iCloud, the most recent backups are stored there. Backups take up a few GB of space each, which can add up if you have multiple iOS devices. You can, instead, backup your device to your computer using iTunes. If you choose to save your backups on your computer, you can delete them from iCloud.

Note: When you delete a backup from iCloud, you will also be turning off the ability to use iCloud to back up your device. You will have to switch back to iCloud backups if you change your mind later.

1. Click the Apple icon in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Click System Preferences in the drop-down menu.

3. Click on Apple ID.
4. Click iCloud.

5. Click Manage in the bottom right corner of the iCloud window.
6. Click Backups from the sidebar.
7. Select a backup to delete.
8. Click Delete.
9. Click Delete when prompted to confirm that you wish to delete the backup and turn off iCloud back ups.

How to free up space used by the Mail app on the Mac

If you use the built-in Mail app on your Mac, you might be clogging up your iCloud storage with useless junk and deleted mail. You can quickly clear out some space by erasing the old stuff.

1. Launch the Mail app on your Mac.
2. Click on Mailbox in the upper left side of your Mac's screen.

3. Select Erase Deleted Items from the drop down menu.
4. Select iCloud.
5. Click on Erase when prompted to confirm that you want to erase the deleted items in your iCloud mailbox.

6. Select Erase Junk Mail.
7. Click on Erase when prompted to confirm that you want to erase the junk mailbox.

Optimized storage still needs to be backed up

Optimizing your storage is a great way to make sure that your Mac isn't getting bogged down with files you don't need; however, you never want to lose any important data. Backing up your Mac frequently is the best way to make sure that nothing bad ever happens to all your important data on your Mac. So, make sure you're backing up your Mac often.

Updated March 2022: Updated for macOS Monterey

Shared with You is a macOS Monterey feature that launched with iOS/iPadOS 15. As designed, it keeps track of certain attachments sent to you by people or groups through the Messages app. You can find a running list of those items directly in the Messages app — or in the supported apps. Currently, Shared with You is supported in photos, podcasts, Apple TV content, weblinks, and Apple News stories.

Here's a closer look at Shared with You on macOS Monterey on all the best Macs:

How to find Shared with You content in Messages

The easiest way to find shared content on Monterey is through the Messages app since everything sent is kept in the exact location.

To find content:

1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Choose the person who sent you the content.
3. Select the information icon at the top right.

4. On the pop-up, scroll down until you see the content you want to view. The files are sorted by type.

How to find Shared with You content in the Podcasts app

When someone shares a podcast link with you through Messages, it will automatically show up in the native Apple Podcasts app across all of your devices.

To find content:

1. Open the Podcasts app on your Mac.
2. Scroll down until you see the Shared with You section.
3. Click on the shared content to play.

All shared content is marked as "From (Person's Name)."

How to find Shared with You content in the Photos app

When someone shares photos with you through Messages, they will automatically show up in the Photos app on Mac and your other devices.

To find these photos:

1. Open the Photos app on your Mac.
2. Click Shared with You on the left side of the screen.
3. Click on the shared photos you'd like to edit or expand.

How to find Shared with You content in the Apple TV app

Links to Apple TV content shared through Messages will show up in the Apple TV app on Mac.

To find links to this content:

1. Open the Apple TV app on your Mac.
2. Click Watch Now on the top menu.
3. Scroll down until you see the Shared with You section.
4. Click on the shared content to play.

All shared content is marked as "From (Person's Name)."

How to find Shared with You content in Safari

You can find shared web links inside the Safari app on Mac.

To find the shared links:

1. Open the Safari app on your Mac.
2. Go into the Start Page.
3. Scroll down until you see the Shared with You section.
4. Click on the shared content to go to that website.

All shared content is marked as "From (Person's Name) at the top of the browser.

Stop sharing

Not everyone will like using Shared with You. If that's you, it's possible to turn off the feature. Unfortunately, you can only turn this off on a person-to-person basis. To get started:

1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.
2. Choose the person who sent you the content.
3. Select the information icon at the top right.

4. Scroll down and uncheck the Show in Shared With You box.
5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 to unshare content from other people.

No Shared with You content?

If you don't see a section for Shared with You in an app, it's because nothing has been shared yet. It will show up automatically as it occurs. Also, to find out how to use Shared with You in iOS, be sure to check out our guide on that as well.

It will be interesting to see how Shared with You is developed in future versions of macOS. Stay tuned!

Updated April 2022: With new information on how to disable Shared with You.

Focus on Mac is one of the more significant new features that came with macOS Monterey. As the name suggests, the tool has been designed to make it easier for users to concentrate on what they're doing throughout the day by silencing unnecessary notifications and alerts. Thanks to iCloud, Focus syncs across multiple devices, so Focus changes made on iPhone, for example, are immediately reflected on Mac and iPad, when applicable.

If you have macOS Monterey, here's how to set up and use a Focus on your best Mac.

What is Focus?

In recent years, Apple has beefed up its sleep tools on mobile and Apple Watch. When activated, the tools let you set sleep and wake-up times and decide which type of alerts are acceptable during your downtime. Focus is an extension of this (and Do Not Disturb) and allows you to establish parts of the day, then assign notification settings for each. These parts of the day can be regularly scheduled (sleep, work) or activated on the fly (gym, dinner).

You can get started on your mobile device or through macOS Monterey on your Mac.

How to set up a Focus in macOS Monterey

Before you can start using Focus on Mac, you need to set it up first. You can do this on macOS Monterey via the System Preferences app.

1. Click System Preferences from your Mac's dock.
2. Select Notifications & Focus.

3. Click on the Focus tab.
4. Choose a preset Focus to set it up, or tap + at the bottom left to create a custom one.

5. With a Focus selected, select + under Allowed Notifications From (People).
6. Add a new person.
7. Click Add.

8. With a Focus selected, select + under Allowed Notifications From (Apps).
9. Add new apps.
10. Click Add.

That's all there is to getting a Focus set up on Mac. If you decide you want to add or remove people and apps from a Focus, you can do so at any time. Now that you have a Focus set up, it's time to dig even further with customizations.

How to turn on Focus in macOS Monterey

You have all of your customizations set up for all of your Focuses; now what? Well, you're going to want to turn them on. Here's how to do that.

1. Select the Control Center on the menu bar on your Mac.
2. Choose the current Focus, when applicable. If no Focus is active, you'll see the word Focus instead.
3. Select the Focus that you want to turn on. You can also tap on the ellipses button (three dots) on a Focus to choose how long you want it on.

Focus may be getting an upgrade in Apple's next software

While Focus is one of Apple's newest features, there are rumors that point to Focus getting a significant upgrade in the upcoming iOS 16 update. The reason for that train of thought? Apparently Focus in iOS 16 will not be compatible with iOS 15, which would seem to indicate that some sort of major update is on the way.

Updated April 2022: Updated for the latest version of macOS Monterey.

If you're already using iCloud to sync your content, do you need to do a full backup? Yes. One of the biggest reasons a full backup is so important is to cover you if or when your device crashes, and you lose everything.

If you're in the middle of a critical, time-sensitive project and your Mac poops out, you may have protected the document you're working on in iCloud, but without a backup, you didn't protect your apps or settings. In that case, it'll take you a long time to get things back the way you want them. With a recent backup, you can restore your Mac and continue working. You'll be happier if you back up your Mac. 

Looking for a new backup drive? Check out the best external hard drives. They work with the best Macs on the market.

How to restore your Mac from a Time Machine backup

If you use Time Machine to back up your Mac, you can restore individual files or restore your entire hard drive from a recent backup using Apple's Migration Assistant.

1. If your Mac starts up with a flashing question mark, you'll need to reinstall macOS before continuing.
2. Connect your Time Machine backup disk to your Mac and turn it on.
3. Open the Applications folder > Utilities folder > Migration Assistant.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts.
5. When asked how you want to transfer your information, select: From a Mac, Time Machine backup, or Startup disk. 
6. Click Continue.
7. Select your Time Machine Backup.
8. Click Continue.
9. Choose your backup.
10. Click Continue.
11. Select the information you wish to transfer.
12. Click Continue. Note that the transfer may take hours, you may want to do it overnight.
13. When the Migration Assistant is done, quit Migration Assistant.
14. Log into the migrated account on your Mac to see its files.

How to restore your Mac from a local backup

If you clone your Mac using a cloning program like SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner, you can restore your entire hard drive from a backup and even create a bootable installer.

Note: Because you have to enter Recovery mode on your Mac, I suggest printing out these instructions or switching to another device to read them.

1. Restart your Mac.
2. While the startup disc is waking up, hold down the Command and R keys simultaneously. Your Mac will boot into macOS Utilities. If it doesn't, try again.
3. Click on Disk Utility.
4. Click Continue.
5. Select your Mac's hard drive.
6. Click the Restore tab at the top of the Disk Utility window.
7. Select the external hard drive that your cloned backup is stored next to "Restore From."
8. Select your Mac's hard drive next to "Restore to."
9. Click Restore.

Your Mac will restore the cloned backup and then restart once it is finished.

If you want to install a bootable backup, hold down the Option key while your Mac is restarting and select the clone from your external hard drive in your partitioned hard drive.

How to restore your Mac from a cloud backup

If you use a cloud-based backup service, like Backblaze or CrashPlan, you can download missing data to restore your Mac.

Each cloud-based backup service is different. All of them will require that you download a backup from their remote servers, though — unless the service offers to send you a physical hard drive that you can use as a backup (Backblaze provides this feature).

Most programs will have a Restore files tool right in the user interface. You can launch the remote app on your Mac or visit the company's website.

You can then select the files and folders you want to restore from your backup menu.

Because you either have to download files from the Internet or send them away for a physical copy, I only recommend using a cloud-based backup service to restore your Mac if you don't already have a local backup on hand. It is very time-consuming and less efficient than restoring directly from an external hard drive you have sitting right on your desk.

Restored safe and sound

There are various choices for restoring your Mac from an external backup in macOS Big Sur and macOS Ventura. Choose the one that's right for you and within your budget.

With Voice Control in macOS Monterey, users can use speech commands to control their devices. The feature has been designed for those folks with limited agility, mobility, and other conditions available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. However, it also serves as a great new way to interact with your devices.

Voice Control works on all of your favorite Macs, available for your accessibility needs.

How to turn on Voice Controls on Mac

If you're using Voice Control for the first time, you'll need to set it up by following these steps:

1. Click on System Preferences on your Mac's Dock.

2. Select Accessibility.
3. On the Accessibility page, tap Voice Control under the Motor section.
4. Check the box for Enable Voice Control.

How to wake/sleep Voice Controls on Mac

You can wake and sleep Voice Control by doing the following:

1. Click Wake on the Voice Control icon to wake the tool.
2. Click Sleep on the Voice Control icon to put the tool to sleep. During this time, Voice Control won't work.

How to change the Voice Controls language on Mac

Voice Control uses your default language at startup. To change:

1. Click on System Preferences on your Mac's Dock.

2. Select Accessibility.
3. On the Accessibility page, tap Voice Control under the Motor section.

4. Click on the pull-down next to Language.
5. Select Customize.
6. Tap the box for the language(s) you'd like to add.
7. Choose OK.

How to select a new language in Voice Controls on Mac

1. Tap the current language noted on the Voice Control icon on the right side of your device.
2. Choose the language you now want to use.

How to enable/disable commands in Voice Controls on Mac

You can enable/disable any command in Voice Control, including those created by Apple and yourself:

1. Click on System Preferences on your Mac's Dock.

2. Select Accessibility.
3. On the Accessibility page, tap Voice Control under the Motor section.

4. Click on the Commands button.
5. Check the box(es) for the commands(s) you want to enable or uncheck the box(es) for the command(s) you want to disable.
6. Click on the Done button.

How to create custom commands in Voice Controls on Mac

Yes, you can add personal commands to work with Voice Controls. To add Custom Commands:

1. Click on System Preferences on your Mac's Dock.

2. Select Accessibility.
3. On the Accessibility page, tap Voice Control under the Motor section.

4. Click on the Commands button.
5. Select +.
6. Next, add your command in the When I say box. By default, this command is usable across all apps.
7. To restrict the command to only one app, click on the While Using pull-down menu.
8. Choose the app you'd like to use with your custom command.
9. Choose how this command is Performed from the pull-down menu.
10. Select Done.

You can now use this new custom command as you would others with Voice Control.

How to delete custom commands in Voice Controls on Mac

You can permanently delete any custom command for Voice Controls:

1. Click on System Preferences on your Mac's Dock.

2. Select Accessibility.
3. On the Accessibility page, tap Voice Control under the Motor section.

4. Click on Commands button.
5. Highlight the command to delete under Custom.
6. Select -.
7. Click Delete to confirm the deletion.

Your custom command is no longer usable through Voice Control on Mac.

How to change the microphone for Voice Controls on Mac

By default, Voice Control will use your Mac's built-in microphone. You can change this to another microphone when available:

1. Click on System Preferences on your Mac's Dock.

2. Select Accessibility.
3. On the Accessibility page, tap Voice Control under the Motor section.

4. Click on the pull-down menu next to Microphone.
5. Choose the microphone to use.

How to receive an alert when a command is recognized in Voice Controls on Mac

You can receive a sound alert each time a command is recognized:

1. Click on System Preferences on your Mac's Dock.

2. Select Accessibility.
3. On the Accessibility page, tap Voice Control under the Motor section.
4. Click the box next to Play sound when command is recognized.

So much to do

Voice Control works on all the best Macs, including the 24-inch iMac. As you can see, there's a lot you can do simply using your voice on Mac, thanks to the built-in Voice Controls. So start using them today and make your computing life much easier.

Updated April 2022: Refreshed for macOS Monterey.

Have you ever worked on a document and made too many changes? Have you had that moment of panic where you start feverishly mashing the undo button, desperately trying to get back to the older version of the text you were working on? Relax, we've all been there, and there's an easier solution.

Most programs available on macOS Monterey include a restoration feature, making it possible for you to go back to that moment in time when you thought you did it wrong, but really didn't.

Pro tip: getting yourself an amazing external hard drive for your Mac is a worthwhile investment, so you can save your document in a safe location easily and often. But, we know that even with a hard drive, sometimes accidents happen — here's how to restore older versions of a document on Mac.

How to restore an older version of a file on the Mac

Not every application has the Revert To feature, but the good ones always do. To see if the program you are working with has the feature, look for it in the App menu section of the Menu bar under File. If you see it, you can find an older version of the document you are working on with just a few clicks.

1. With the document selected, click on File in the app menu in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Select Revert To from the dropdown menu.
3. Select Browse All Versions.

4. Either click the Arrow next to the document to go backward through the versions, one at a time, or use the Timeline ticker on the far right to browse through your working timeline and select a version from a specifically saved time.
5. Click Restore.

This will automatically exchange the version you were working on with the newly restored version.

How to restore a copy of an older version of a file on the Mac

You may want to keep your current version and make comparisons with an older version. You also have the option to restore a copy of an older version of a document and work on them separately.

1. With the document selected, click on File in the app menu in the upper left corner of your Mac's screen.
2. Select Revert To from the drop-down menu.
3. Select Browse All Versions.

4. Either click the Arrow next to the document to go backward through the versions, one at a time, or use the Timeline ticker on the far right to browse through your working timeline and select a version from a specifically saved time.
5. Hold down the Option key.
6. Click Restore a Copy.

This will open a copy version with an untitled name. You can save it to your Mac if you want to keep both versions.

How to search for an older version of a specific document using Time Machine

If you use Time Machine, you can search for older versions of files, even if an application doesn't have a Revert To feature. You can find it easily thanks to Finder.

1. Launch a Finder window.
2. Search for and then select the document you want to restore an earlier version of.
3. Click on Time Machine in the Menu bar.

4. Either click the Arrow next to the document to go backward through the versions, one at a time, or use the Timeline ticker on the far right to browse through your working timeline and select a version from a specifically saved time.
5. Click Restore.

When you restore a document from Time Machine, it will automatically save it to its original location. If you already have a version saved in the same place, it will ask if you want to delete, replace, or keep both. If you keep them both, the older version will be renamed with the word (original) in the title.

Back up your Mac

Losing an important document is annoying and stressful, and while the steps above can help alleviate some of that discomfort by letting macOS Monterey call up an older version of that document, you should try to avoid ever using the feature if you can.

We can't stress enough how important it is to have backups of all your files and document, be that in cloud storage or an external hard drive. Plus, don't forget, you should also be backing up your entire Mac on a regular basis with Time Machine, or your backing up software of choice.

Updated April 2022: Updated for the most recent version of macOS Monterey

Messages mentions and inline responses are part of iOS and iPadOS, respectively. Here's a look at how these tools work and why they're helpful.

Using Messages mentions

To use mentions on the best iPhones or best iPad on iOS 15/iPadOS 15:

1. Tap on the Messages app on your Home screen.
2. Choose the appropriate group chat.
3. Type your message as usual.
4. Include @person to create a mention. For example, if Jay is a member of your group, type "@jay."
5. Tap the up arrow to send the message.

For mentions to work, you must type out the name as it's listed in Messages. Successful mentions are highlighted in the group chat.

Setting up alerts for Messages mentions

By default, you'll receive alerts anytime someone mentions your name in Messages, even if you turn off notifications for the Messages app overall. To change this setting:

1. Tap the Settings app on your device.
2. Choose Messages.
3. Toggle off Notify Me under Mentions.

Using inline replies with Messages mentions

To use inline replies in iOS/iPadOS:

1. Tap on the Messages app on your Home screen.
2. Choose the appropriate group chat.
3. Push on the specific message to which you'd like to reply.
4. Choose Reply.

You'll see inline replies to the specific message noted with the word Reply. Tap on this to view additional comments for the particular message.

That's it! You can now use mentions and inline replies in group chats!

A lot to see

Apple tends to improve Messages with each iOS/iPadOS release. Group chat is one of the best to have arrived in recent years.

Apple Books is great for just kicking back and flicking through the latest page-turner, but it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Like any app, there can be problems and times like that call for some troubleshooting.

If you're having issues downloading your e-books or audiobooks in Apple Books, getting configuration errors, or other problems, here are a few things you can try.

How to fix Apple Books download issues

Are you getting an error when trying to view the Book Store or redownloading an iCloud-stored book in your library? You might have cellular data disabled on your iPhone or iPad. If your device is not on a Wi-Fi network, cellular data must be enabled to download a book.

1. Tap Settings.
2. Tap Books.
3. Turn on Cellular Data (or Mobile Data, depending on your region).

How to fix Apple Books missing item issues

We've seen reports of downloaded audiobooks not transferring properly from an old iPhone to a new one. If your book displays strange errors or doesn't look quite right, it may have gotten garbled on download.

In these cases, you may want to try deleting and redownloading the book. Here's the process for deleting and redownloading a book; similar steps apply to audiobooks.

1. Tap the Books app.
2. Tap the Library tab.
3. Tap the more (•••) button beneath the cover image of the book you want to remove.

4. Tap Remove....
5. Tap Remove Download.

Unless you've hidden a book, it will still be visible in your library. You'll know that this is the case if a small cloud icon appears beneath the book. To re-download it, just tap it.

If the book you've deleted doesn't appear in your Library, do this:

1. Tap Reading Now.
2. Tap the account icon. It's either your picture or your initials and it's located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
3. Under My Purchases, tap Books.

4. Tap All Books or pick a particular genre.
5. Find the book you want to download and tap the download (cloud) button.

If the book you are after doesn't appear in your purchases, you can check whether it has been hidden with the following steps.

1. Tap Reading Now.
2. Tap your picture or initials in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

3. Tap Manage Hidden Purchases and enter your Apple ID password.
4. Tap Unhide next to any book.

This book should then re-appear in your purchases and be available to re-download.

How to fix Apple Books syncing issues

As you move between your Apple devices, the status of your books and audiobooks in Apple Books should remain consistent. This means the position in the last book you read should be the same as well as any bookmarks, notes, and highlights. If you're not seeing this syncing behavior, make sure it's set up correctly as follows.

First, ensure you are signed in with the same iCloud account on each device you want to sync Apple Books with, then go through the below processes on each device.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on your name.

3. Tap on iCloud.
4. Ensure that the toggles beside both iCloud Drive and Books are set to the ON (green) position.

Once you have done that on each device, you'll then need to do the following.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap on Books.
3. Ensure that the toggles beside both Reading Now and iCloud Drive are set to the ON (green) position.

Once complete, this should resolve any syncing issues between devices.

If all else fails, talk to Apple

If your best iPad for reading still isn't performing or you're continuing to experience Apple Books problems on your iPhone after following the above steps, it's time to contact Apple Support. There are plenty of ways to get in touch with the company and they may be able to offer alternative options or fix potential problems on its end.