Nifty YouTube shortcuts: Press M to mute or unmute a video, K to pause or play a video, and F to enter or exit full-screen mode. While you’re there, follow my channel so you never miss a vid.
Add these to your shortcut repertoire: Use Ctrl + T (Windows) or Cmd + T (Mac) to open a new tab and Ctrl + Shift + T (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + T (Mac) to reopen a recently closed tab. Hit Ctrl + Tab (Windows) or Cmd + Option + right arrow (Mac) to quickly switch between open tabs. Sweet.
A trio of Mac quick tips: If you don’t know, now you do! 1.) Click a file and press the spacebar to preview it, 2.) Click an open spot on your desktop to pull all your open windows to the sides, and 3.) Hit the Option key any time you have a menu open to see hidden options.
So that’s what that does: On Windows, press F11 in most web browsers to quickly toggle your full-screen and regular browsing modes. Hit F2 to rename a selected file or folder and F3 to search within an open or active application. Alt + F4 closes your active window and F5 refreshes a page or document window.
➡️ Lightning fast: In Microsoft Word, use Ctrl + the arrow keys to quickly move through words or paragraphs. Combine with Shift to select text as you go.
Not too loud, not too low: Set your iPhone’s media and ringtone volumes separately so they sound just right. Fun trick: Click this link to add a custom command to your Shortcuts app. Now, open Shortcuts and search for Adjust Volume. Tap Share > Add to Home Screen > Home > Adjust Volume and set the levels how you’d like. Now your music won’t blast your eardrums and your ringtone will be loud enough to hear from down the block.
Android split-screen trick: Did you know you can create a home screen shortcut for apps you use frequently together, like your fave recipe app and Spotify? Just tap the app’s icon > Split screen. Tap between the two apps > Save app pair. Less work, double the apps. Like all things Android, steps may vary on your device.
📂 Mac quick tip: Here’s a shortcut to open folders. From your desktop, hit ⌘ (Cmd) then the down arrow. To go the other way, hold ⌘ and press the up arrow.
Attn., shortcut newbies: Start working these into your repertoire. Try Ctrl + A to select all of something, Ctrl + X to cut your selection, Ctrl + V to paste, Ctrl + Z to undo your last action and Ctrl + Y to redo. On a Mac, use Cmd instead of Ctrl.
👆 Saved you a swipe: On most Android phones, swipe down from the top of the screen once to see key shortcuts and settings, then swipe again to see the full selection. It’s called the Quick Settings screen. A faster way to get there: Swipe down once with two fingers.
Keyboard rockstar: Move through your open tabs with just your keyboard. Press Ctrl + Tab on Windows or Cmd + Tab on a Mac to cycle. To quickly close your active tab, hit Ctrl + W on Windows or, on a Mac, Cmd + W.
⌛ Quick privacy tip: Use Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac) to open an incognito or private browsing window in most web browsers. Incognito mode doesn’t save your browsing history, cookies or form data.
⏩ Smartphone shortcut: Your sister sent you a picture a month ago. You can scroll and scroll to find it or use this trick. On iPhone, open Messages, tap a convo, then tap the person’s profile photo. Scroll to Photos > See All. On Android, open Messages, tap the search bar at the top, then choose the sender from the list of names.
Cmd + Shift + 5: On a Mac, this brings up the screenshot toolbar, where you can take screenshots or record your screen. Capture the entire screen, a selected window or a specific portion, and you can even choose to record a video.
Windows key + V: This lets you see and paste from a list of items you’ve copied to your clipboard recently. It’s super handy for pasting multiple things without having to go back and forth to copy them again one by one. To use it, make sure Clipboard history is turned on in your Windows settings.
🔍 Looking for a file? On a PC, hit the Windows key and start typing its name. That’s it. On a Mac, hit Cmd + spacebar and type away. This shortcut saves so much time!
🤐 Keep it hush-hush: If you need a new Incognito or Private mode browsing window, press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (macOS). Firefox does this differently; here, swap the “N” for P. Keep in mind these modes don’t make what you do truly private; they just stop it from becoming part of your algorithm and saved searches.
Quick-close your window: On Windows and Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + W to close your current window and any open tabs in it. On a Mac, it’s Cmd + Shift + W. Easy!
🍎 Three shortcuts for Macs:
- Ctrl + Cmd + spacebar: Opens the emoji picker.
- Cmd + Shift + 5: Opens the screenshot tool for capturing the entire screen, a window or a selected portion. You can also record your screen from this menu.
- Cmd + Opt + Esc: Opens the force-quit menu.
🪟 Three shortcuts for PCs:
- Windows key + . (period) or ; (semicolon): Opens the emoji picker.
- Windows key + Shift + S: Opens the Snip & Sketch tool for capturing (and editing) screenshots.
- Alt + F6: Allows you to switch between multiple windows of the same application (e.g., different browser windows).