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11 Genius Ways to Use ChatGPT on Your Mac (Real-Life Examples)

ChatGPT is more than just a chatbot—it’s like having an AI-powered assistant ready to help with anything from troubleshooting tech issues to automating tasks. While many people have experimented with ChatGPT, most don’t realize how much it can simplify everyday work, especially for Mac users.

In this guide, I’ll share 11 real-world ways I use ChatGPT on my Mac to save time, streamline workflows, and even automate repetitive tasks. Whether you’re a content creator, developer, or just someone looking to optimize their Mac experience, you’ll find something useful here.

Our favorite setup: 

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1. Learn Any Feature in Any App Instantly

Ever found a setting in an app that you don’t understand? Instead of digging through forums or documentation, just ask ChatGPT.

• Want to know what a specific encoding setting in Apple Compressor does? Ask ChatGPT.

• Need help with Excel formulas? It’ll walk you through them.

• Curious about the difference between video codecs in Blender? You’ll get a detailed explanation in seconds.

Pro tip: Pick any app on your Mac, find a feature you’ve never used, and ask ChatGPT to explain it. It’s like having a 24/7 personal tech instructor.

2. Automate Tedious Tasks (Even Without Coding Experience)

Sorting through terabytes of files manually is a nightmare. But with ChatGPT, I was able to write a script in minutes to automatically:

• Separate all photos from video files in a massive folder structure

• Copy specific files to a new location

• Rename or organize files based on criteria

And the best part? I don’t know how to code. ChatGPT guided me step by step, including how to debug errors and execute the script in Terminal.

If you regularly perform repetitive tasks, automation with ChatGPT can be a game-changer.

3. Get Instant Answers for Complex Tech Questions

Instead of Googling model numbers and scrolling through forums, I now ask ChatGPT directly.

For example, I wanted to add a subwoofer to my Genelec speakers (which are connected via an external audio interface). After hours of searching online with no clear answer, I asked ChatGPT—and within seconds, it gave me:

• Step-by-step wiring instructions

• Product recommendations that fit my setup

• Troubleshooting tips for audio calibration

This works for any hardware-related question—Mac upgrades, external drives, peripherals, you name it.

4. Help With Everyday Work (Video Editing, Writing, Productivity)

I use ChatGPT daily to speed up my workflow, whether it’s for:

• Video editing: A producer sent me a list of timecodes for a 2-minute video. The list of timecodes looked long, and I had a feeling this was going to be a lot more work than a 2-minute video. Instead of starting to do the math, or simply cutting my producer’s timecoded clips together, I showed a screenshot of the timecodes to ChatGPT and asked what’s the total duration of all this clips cut together. Sure enough, it added up to over 5 minutes – meaning the time and budget estimated for this job had to be re-evaluated.

• Writing emails & messages: Need to craft a polished email, a LinkedIn message, or even a blog post? ChatGPT refines my writing while keeping my tone professional and natural.

• Content summaries & breakdowns: If I need to quickly summarize an article or script, ChatGPT handles it instantly.

5. Show And Ask

This is one of my favorites – you can send ChatGPT photos of anything, and ask questions about the photos. Ever found a random cable in a drawer and had no idea what it was? You can now upload an image to ChatGPT, and it will:

✅ Identify the type of cable (USB-C, Thunderbolt, etc.)

✅ Explain what it’s used for

✅ Confirm if it’s compatible with your Mac

This is a lifesaver when dealing with adapters, audio interfaces, and external drives.

6. Find the Best Apps for Your Specific Needs

Instead of generic app recommendations from Google, ChatGPT suggests apps tailored to your exact use case.

Example: I asked it for the best backup solution for my 8TB of data spread across multiple drives. It recommended Backblaze, which happens to be the exact service I already use—proving it understands real-world needs, not just generic search results.

7. Understand Technical Mac Terminology

Ever seen an error message or system setting that made no sense? Instead of spending time deciphering Apple’s jargon, ChatGPT breaks it down in plain English.

• What’s “System Data” taking up all my storage?

• What does a particular macOS error mean?

• What’s the difference between APFS and Mac OS Extended?

It’s like having a personal Mac support technician at your fingertips.

8. Troubleshoot Hardware Issues (Better Than Google)

My old printer ran out of ink when I urgently needed to print something. Instead of running to the store, I asked ChatGPT for a quick fix.

It suggested soaking the dried-out cartridge in warm water—and it worked!

ChatGPT is also great for diagnosing Mac performance issues, external drive failures, and even Wi-Fi problems.

9. Learn Terminal Commands & Unlock Hidden Mac Features

If you’ve never used Terminal before, ChatGPT makes it easy to learn.

Example: Apple removed the option to schedule sleep times in macOS, but with ChatGPT’s help, I used a simple Terminal command to bring it back.

ChatGPT can:

✅ Teach you basic and advanced commands

✅ Help you customize macOS settings Apple no longer lets you change

✅ Walk you through running scripts safely

10. Hardware Configuration Help

A media agency I know wanted to set up a podcast with:

• A multi-camera studio setup

• A remote guest interviewed over Zoom

They paid a consultant $500 per hour to configure everything. But with ChatGPT, you can DIY it for free with step-by-step setup instructions tailored to your exact needs.

11. Debug & Write Code (Even If You’re Not a Developer)

One of the most powerful uses of ChatGPT is helping non-coders write and debug scripts.

• Need a simple automation script? Just describe what you want.

• Get an explanation of the code so you understand how it works.

• If there’s an error, paste it in, and ChatGPT will help you fix it.

I used this to automate file sorting in a massive folder structure, saving hours of work. If I can do this with zero coding experience, so can you.

Final Thoughts

These are just a handful of ways ChatGPT can transform how you use your Mac. Whether it’s troubleshooting, automation, or just making everyday tasks easier, AI is way more powerful than most people realize.

What’s the best ChatGPT trick you’ve discovered? Let me know in the comments!

If you found this useful, share it and check out my YouTube channel for more Mac tips & tutorials.

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