Quick Tutorials

Mac computers are known for their user-friendly design, but even seasoned users make common mistakes. If you’re new to macOS, here are 12 frequent errors that could hinder your experience—and how to avoid them.

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1. Misunderstanding the Red X Button

When you click the red X in the top left corner of a window, you’re only closing the window, not the application itself. The app continues running in the background, using up system resources. Look for a dot under the app’s dock icon or check the menu bar to confirm.

Fix: Quit the app using one of these methods:

• Right-click the app in the dock and select “Quit.”

• Use the menu bar and click the application’s name on the top left corner, and choose “Quit”

• Or use the keyboard shortcut: Command + Q.

2. Buying the Wrong Mac for Your Needs

Many users buy Macs without understanding key terms like storage vs. memory. For instance, needing “more memory” to store photos is a common misconception—you actually need more storage. Similarly, not everyone needs an expensive high-end configuration.

Tip: Evaluate your use case:

• Storage (SSD): For saving files.

• Memory (RAM): For multitasking.

• Ports, GPU, and CPU cores: For specialized needs like video editing.

If you work with large files, consider external hard drives instead of upgrading internal storage—it’s more cost-effective.

3. Trying to use a Mac Like a Windows PC

macOS operates differently from Windows. Trying to force Windows habits onto macOS will only frustrate you.

Advice: Forget what you know and experiment. Use it like a child. Drag, click, and explore. Treat it as if you’re learning to use a computer for the first time.

4. Underutilizing Spotlight Search

Spotlight is more powerful than you think. It can:

• Search within documents.

• Perform calculations.

• Convert units.

• Check sports scores, weather, and stock prices.

• Find system settings.

• Track flights

Pro Tip: Experiment with Spotlight beyond basic searches to unlock its full potential.

5. Disconnecting Drives Without Ejecting

Yanking out an external drive without ejecting it first through Finder might corrupt your files. macOS needs time to finalize operations on the drive before it can be safely unplugged.

Solution:

• Click the eject button in Finder.

• If you encounter errors, relaunch Finder by right-clicking its dock icon while holding down the option key, and selecting “Relaunch.”

6. Cleaning the Screen with Harsh Chemicals

Using harsh chemicals can permanently damage your Mac’s display.

Fix: Stick to microfiber cloths. For stubborn smudges, dampen the cloth slightly with water.

7. Neglecting Backups

Every hard drive will fail eventually. Without a backup plan, you risk losing important files.

Backup Tips:

• Use Time Machine with an external drive.

• Subscribe to a cloud service like Backblaze for off-site backups.

8. Installing Unnecessary Antivirus Software

macOS is inherently secure, and most antivirus software is unnecessary. It may even slow down your system.

Tip: Avoid additional antivirus software unless you’re in a high-risk environment.

9. Not Using Trackpad Gestures

The Mac’s trackpad offers intuitive gestures like:

• Swiping between pages and full-screen apps.

• Pinching to zoom.

• Activating Mission Control or Notification Center.

Action: Explore the trackpad settings in System Preferences to learn all available gestures.

10. Inefficient Finder Usage

Many users stick to Finder’s default settings, missing out on its customization options.

Optimize Finder:

• Add shortcuts to your most-used folders.

• Enable the path bar to see folder hierarchies.

• Use Finder tabs for multitasking.

11. Ignoring Keyboard Shortcuts

Mac has countless keyboard shortcuts that boost efficiency. Beyond the basics, shortcuts can save you time in Finder, Safari, and system navigation.

Recommendation: Learn and practice shortcuts. Check out guides or videos covering essential macOS shortcuts.

12. Updating macOS Too Soon

Rushing to update to the latest macOS version can lead to compatibility issues with critical third-party apps. First releases of a major macOS update are often buggy, so waiting for a few incremental updates to smooth out the biggest bugs is usually smart, if you do important work on your computer.

Safe Approach:

• Wait for incremental updates to fix early bugs.

• Check compatibility of essential apps before updating.

Final Thoughts

Avoiding these common mistakes will help you get the most out of your Mac. Have you made any of these errors? Share your experiences or tips in the comments!