Ultimate Beginner Guide to Mac [2026 Edition]

Just get a new Mac? This complete beginner guide walks you through setup, navigation, Finder, the Menu Bar, Dock, Safari, installing apps, and essential tips to help you master macOS fast!

💻 Mac Deals on Amazon

MacBook Neo
https://geni.us/vmed

M5 MacBook Air
https://geni.us/yI4CP

M5 Mac BookPro
https://geni.us/udwl

M4 iMac
https://geni.us/Su9EuRC

⭐️ Join my Shortcuts community!
https://shortcut.bot/join

🔴 Sign up for my newsletter with apps, Shortcuts, and more!
https://shortcut.bot/email

🎙️ My tech podcast @PrimaryTechShow
https://primarytech.fm

and Mac Power Users
@relaympu

📺 Videos Mentioned

Getting Started Guides
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCnyeuWW0bgYPmlrT8Ung9B-bCbPbYmPX&si=hhi8kWejwzpo6K3h

35 Apps I Install on Every New Mac
https://youtu.be/Nk2TFejSYlA?si=vX-LR1vrZt_tvu9j

Apple Notes Tips
https://youtu.be/4dD5tgT0B_4?si=Aq8acualPoTfKl4Y

Finder Episode of Mac Power Users
https://youtu.be/n1QOGec7f84?si=4VQrRy8wZjLuu_lK

Safari Profiles Tutorial
https://youtu.be/1CKEkd09LZo?si=X9kdQBkUQ-CZnPJF

Master iPhone Safari
https://youtu.be/QtxwrToQ8_k?si=1OvobMp827CIfUvG

5 Mail Hacks for iPhone
https://youtu.be/Edmj7rQz2CA?si=vkcFL7zGZsZSO_ED

Reminders Tips
https://youtu.be/sAOvm61bSPM?si=7hnw580Zqu7OP46L

macOS Tahoe Review and Control Center
https://youtu.be/7UWPkF6qA3Y?si=jDGDXUbVd0VXuthK

Apple Creator Studio
https://youtu.be/-Ov81x97u3g?si=iVJ-gmPKn68VUa35

Mac Settings and Tips
https://youtu.be/qiR-KWhusEo?si=lUGySangpxes6hYJ

Passwords App
https://youtu.be/2IUkdwkrqaA?si=7wKc2Td8fwdJfO_S

My Dual Mac Setup
https://youtu.be/HMJKYjlIAGg?si=5Q8S-F0hyJ3EleCl

30 Apps I Need on My Mac
https://youtu.be/xFAiUavskYI?si=f-K97qNx50mowW4a

📲 My Favorite iPhone Accessories

Best MagSafe Battery | Baseus Qi2 25W
https://geni.us/3ZJyCX

AirPods Pro 3
https://geni.us/Ui9iIw

25W MagSafe Car Charger
https://geni.us/WOBFRW

Favorite 3-in-1 MagSafe Charger
https://geni.us/4PBW1w

My 3-in-1 Travel Charger
https://geni.us/fDRule

AirPods 4 with ANC
https://geni.us/f5xhUl0

Multi USB-C Charger with Find My
https://geni.us/qHAMwS

Favorite Power Bank with Built-In Cable
https://geni.us/KcDLzl

Car Charger with Retractable Cable
https://geni.us/DUeO

Best HomeKit Lock with Home Key
https://geni.us/kI9o2kl

🏠 Full List of My Smart Home Devices
https://beard.fm/homekit

📨 My Favorite Email Provider: Fastmail
https://join.fastmail.com/beardfm

🌎 Follow me on:

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenrobles.com
Threads: https://threads.net/@stephenrobles
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephenrobles

Chapters ➡

00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:45 Setting Up Your Mac
00:06:37 Welcome and First Use
00:06:53 Getting Around Mac
00:09:22 Function Keys
00:11:46 Changing Apps in Menu Bar
00:13:34 Window Controls
00:14:30 Using Finder
00:15:51 Opening Applications
00:16:20 Navigating Finder
00:18:13 Safari Web Browser
00:23:45 Window Navigation
00:24:23 Multi-Touch Gestures
00:27:32 Keyboard Shortcuts
00:30:00 Pages for Word Documents
00:32:01 Apps in the Dock
00:32:41 Adding Email Accounts
00:34:12 Apple Maps
00:36:25 iPhone Mirroring
00:37:18 Dock Preferences
00:41:07 Spotlight Search
00:45:24 Control Center
00:49:00 Adding Widgets
00:50:16 Installing Applications
00:52:02 GarageBand and iMovie
00:52:46 Installing Apps from Websites
00:55:54 Messages on Mac
00:56:47 System Settings
00:58:07 iCloud Drive
01:01:04 Create and Organize Folders
01:04:24 Taking Screenshots
01:05:29 Using AirDrop
01:06:33 Preview for PDFs
01:08:20 My Mac Setup

🛒 My Film Gear:

Sony A7C II (B-Roll Camera)
https://geni.us/klZFL

Sony 24mm GM f1.4 (B-Roll Lens)
https://geni.us/xbapXjH

Sony A7 IV (A-Roll Camera)
https://geni.us/PA1Qd (Amazon)

Sigma 35mm (Main Lens)
https://geni.us/YqQpgtx (Amazon)

Sennhesier MKH416 (Video Mic)
https://geni.us/VxF1g (Amazon)

Aputure Amaran 200x (Key Light)
https://geni.us/2KY3GV (Amazon)

Light Dome III (Soft Box)
https://geni.us/Rt08x (Amazon)

Earthworks Ethos (Podcast Mic)
https://geni.us/X7xC (Amazon)

Podcast Mic Arm
https://geni.us/5ydF0HM (Amazon)

Sony a6400 (Top Down Camera)
https://geni.us/VOyRX (Amazon)

Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 (Top Down Lens)
https://geni.us/lkuYqbH (Amazon)

Elgato Key Light Air (Fill and Hair Lights)
https://geni.us/UetzsS (Amazon)

ATEM Mini Pro (My Switcher)
https://geni.us/Dgiymx2 (Amazon)

Rodecaster PRO II (Powers All Mics)
https://geni.us/uMHZGgi (Amazon)

Sound Devices MixPre-3 (Travel Sound Gear)
https://geni.us/Nb6A4zo (Amazon)

DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Other links to third-party products and services may also be affiliate links.