macOS Monterey hidden features? Does it sound exciting to you? Maybe there are some hidden macOS Monterey hidden features you don’t know about. Well, you have to read the article to know that!
macOS is one of the advanced operating systems developed by Apple. Users worldwide love Apple laptops and iMac because of macOS features and various capabilities to do things fast. Thanks to Apple developers, they introduce new features with every macOS update.
You must have noticed that your Mac has most likely notified you that a new software update is available. That’s the next edition of Apple’s computer operating system, macOS Monterey (also known as MacOS 12).
There are many new features introduced in macOS Monterey including Universal Control, AirPlay to Mac, SharePlay, Quick Notes, Notes Tab, Live Text from Images, etc. All these new features make the new macOS even better than the previous versions.
However, some of these new features are hard to locate and this article is about finding all of those macOS Monterey hidden features that you can use to do your work more swiftly.
So, let’s find out all those hidden macOS Monterey features that you will love to use after upgrading your system.
The Best macOS Monterey Hidden Features
Given below are the top 14 best macOS Monterey hidden features. Let’s check them one by one:
1. Convert Images and Photos Format Quicker on Mac
When you back up images from your iPhone to your Mac, you’ll frequently discover that the photos are duplicated in the HEIC format. In addition, some web photos are only accessible in WebP format.
Even though you can already convert WebP to JPG and HEIC to JPG on Mac, macOS Monterey adds new functionality that allows you to convert photographs rapidly without having to download or install a third-party program.
Let’s see how you can do it easily by following the below steps to convert images format quickly on macOS Monterey.
- Right-click a HEIC, WebP, or any other image format to convert it into JPG, PNG, or HEIF. You will see many options, click on Quick Actions here.
- Once you click on Quick Actions, a drop-down menu will appear. Click on Convert Image to change the format of your image to JPG, PNG, or HEIF.
- Once you click on Convert Image, choose Format and Image Size and click on Convert to JPEG or format you chose. Tick Mark on Preserve Metadata if you want to keep the image details as it is after converting them.
2. Customizing the Mouse Pointer on Mac
The cursor on a Mac is indeed dark and uninspiring. Apple last updated the mouse pointer feature in 2015, where they introduced the capability to swiftly locate the cursor by moving the device rapidly.
Apple has given some customization to the mouse in macOS Monterey to make it appear more unique. Let’s check out how to customize the mouse pointer on macOS Monterey:
- On macOS Monterey, go to System Preferences by finding it in the Dock area.
- Once you are in the System Preferences window, click on Accessibility.
- From here, you need to click on Display from the left pane menu. On the right side of the window, click on the Pointer tab first. Choose Pointer Fill Color which will open a new window.
Choose Color Tab or third tab in the new window to modify the fill color of the cursor pointer by choosing any color of your choice.
3. Introduction of System-wide Translation on macOS Monterey
Apple has introduced System-wide translation on macOS Monterey too, taking this feature from iOS 15 recently.
You can now translate any text in any program on macOS by simply clicking the text and selecting Translate. You can choose whether the translation takes place offline or online, depending on your Mac’s configuration and storage capacity.
4. Introduction of Low Power Mode just Like iPhone or iPad
In macOS Monterey, Apple has also brought the iPhone’s Low Power Mode to the Mac. If your laptop’s battery is getting low, you can use the Low Power Mode to extend battery life.
Activating this lowers the brightness level and the CPU’s clock speed, making things a little sluggish or slow to load, but still, it preserves some battery life.
Unlike the iPhone, there is no option to instantly enable it at 20%. Do check how you can activate Low Power Mode in macOS Monterey by below steps:
- Go to System Preferences from the dock area. Once you are in the settings, click on Battery option.
- From here, click on Battery from the left pane. Tick Mark Low Power Mode from the right side that will reduce energy usages to increase battery life and operate more quietly.
One can, nevertheless, create a Shortcut to activate the option at a specific percentage of battery life. And while we’re on the subject of percentages, macOS Monterey also includes comprehensive remaining battery indications for Bluetooth devices like Earbuds, external mouse or keyboard, etc.
5. Copy-paste Progress Window Includes More Information
Since macOS’ inception, the copy-paste progress window has been the same. The ‘expected time’ is written beneath a blue bar that progresses as the transfer completes.
Apple added a new copy-paste progress pane in macOS Monterey that is more informative than the present one. The functionality is currently unavailable in the macOS Monterey beta, but it is scheduled to be accessible soon in the next batch of beta versions.
6. Introduction of iCloud Shared Folder
Another best macOS Monterey hidden feature is the introduction of the iCloud Shared Folder. You’ll see a new Shared folder in the Finder’s Go Section when you install macOS Monterey on your Mac.
This new feature allows you to keep track of all of the files that have been shared with you in one single place. In addition, you can view who last edited the file, the status of collaboration invites, as well as other data.
7. Introduction of Digital Legacy
This year, Apple released Digital Legacy. The function allows you to safely share data with trusted friends and family members, such as images, videos, notes, and other information. Check below the steps on how to add a legacy contact on macOS Monterey easily?
- On your Mac, go to System Preferences by clicking on the icon in the Dock area. In the top-right corner, select Apple ID.
- Click on Password & Security from the left pane. Click Manage in front of Legacy Contact. Add the chosen contact by selecting Add Legacy Contact. Contacts from your Family Sharing will be suggested by macOS.
- The contact’s Access Key will then be displayed, which you can download and share.
When you upload a Digital Legacy contact to the Mac, it will sync with your iPhone immediately. You may, however, add Legacy Contacts on your iPhone as well after updating to iOS 15.
8. Save Button in iMessage for Saving Photos
The Messages app is gradually improving in usability. In previous macOS versions, to save an image received via iMessage to the Photos or Downloads folder, you have to double-click or right-click it. Apple has included a save button directly next to the message in macOS Monterey.
To check how to save Photos in iMessage on macOS Monterey, follow the steps below:
- Click on Save icon in front of the photos in your conversation window.
- A confirmation prompt will open, click on Save Photo and it will be downloaded in your Photos Library.
9. New Features Added in Apple Books
macOS Monterey is not only about adding new features to the entire OS but making the core apps more proficient and usable is their main agenda too. This year Safari, FaceTime, Notes and Voice Memos received a major update so as Apple Books.
Reading Goals, Want to Read, and Reading Now are among the new features. The search feature has also been updated, and results are now displayed as you type.
10. Introduction of AirPlay to Mac from iPhone or iPad
This is one of the best macOS Monterey hidden features that not many people know about. You already know how useful AirPlay is if you have an Apple TV or a HomePod. The capability to ‘cast’ anything from your iPhone to a second screen is underappreciated yet really useful.
The latest macOS Monterey allows users to watch videos, photographs, and music from your iPhone or iPad straight to your Mac’s display.
To use the AirPlay feature on Mac, you need to make sure your system is upgraded to macOS Monterey and your iPhone or iPad is running iOS 15. If you have both the devices updated, you will see your Mac as AirPlay-compatible device.
To ensure this happens, check how to enable the AirPlay receiver feature in macOS Monterey by following the below steps:
- Go to System Preferences. Click on Sharing option from here.
- Once you are under the Sharing screen, tick mark AirPlay Receiver option here. This will enable the AirPlay function and you will be able to see your Mac on iPad or iPhone running on the same network.
You can listen to the music on your Mac if you select it from the AirPlay screen on your iPhone or iPad. Same way, the video will be played in a new window once you click on your Mac from iPhone or iPad.
You can also screen mirror your iPhone or iPad’s screen by clicking the Screen Mirror icon from the Control Center.
11. Microphone and Webcam in Use Indicators
Apple is making its operating system’s user experience more and more consistent. With Big Sur, it introduced the Control Center from iOS to macOS, and now with Monterey, it adds the webcam and microphone indicators from iOS to macOS.
An indicator will appear in the Menu Bar on the top of the screen whenever an app uses the microphone or camera.
By entering the Control Center, you can also see which app is utilizing the resource.
We sometimes don’t know the app using our camera or microphone and anyone could take advantage of this. To overcome this problem, this is a nice addition by Apple developers on macOS Monterey.
12. Adjust QuickTime Playback Speed
Various playback speeds are natively supported by the QuickTime player in macOS Monterey. When you play a movie with QuickTime, you can now modify the video’s playing speed by pressing >> the button.
This will allow you to open the Playback Speed menu that has various options from 0.5x t0 2.0x. Choose according to your requirement and fast-forward the dull moment in your videos.
13. Introduction on Reset and Erased Function on Mac
You’re well aware of how simple it is to wipe an iPhone. It’s as simple as clicking a couple of buttons. The Mac, on the other hand, is a different story. Every time you need to reset your Mac, you must complete a series of complicated actions that are difficult for a non-technical person to do.
The new Erase Settings in System Preferences are one of the best hidden features in macOS Monterey. You now can ‘Erase all content and settings” on a Mac in the same way that you do on an iPhone. This removes everything of your Mac’s data, including folders and programs.
To do so, check the below steps on how to erase all content and settings on macOS Monterey:
- Go to System Preferences on your Mac. Once you open System Preferences, you will see a new Menu bar on the top. From here, choose Erase All Content and Settings by clicking on System Preferences.
- A new window will open when you select Erase All Content and Settings, click on Continue and follow the on-screen instructions thereafter.
14. Enhanced Password Manager
In the System Preferences of MacOS Monterey, there is a specific password manager. Apple has simplified the process of importing and exporting passwords from third-party password managers.
Previously, you had to use Keychain Access or Safari to handle your passwords. The new Passwords options, on the other hand, make things simple. To do so, you need to follow the steps below:
- Go to System Preferences on your Mac. Click on Password section from here.
- Once the Password manager is open, click on Three Vertical Dots from the left pane settings. This will give you the option of either exporting or importing passwords from other apps.
For 2FA, there’s also a new built-in authorization app. One can save 2FA codes in iCloud Keychain and have them auto-filled when you log in to websites and applications that support them.
Conclusion
These are some of the best macOS Monterey hidden features that you can explore with a little tweaking. Just a few clicks and these hidden features in macOS Monterey are available to explore.
Enhance your experience using these macOS Monterey hidden features and if you know any other hidden trick, help us our readers by mentioning them in the comments section below.
