Everybody knows Google Chrome is the best web browser. 2.65 billion people trust this browser, and it holds over 60% of the total market share. So, you are forgiven if you opt for Google Chrome instead of Safari when browsing the web on your Mac.
The browser’s clean and user-friendly interface and a gargantuan range of extensions are its key selling points. So, let’s dive in and explore the must-know tips and tricks for using Chrome on your Mac.
Make It the Default Browser
Do you love using Google Chrome to browse the web? You can make it your default browser on your Mac instead of Safari.
Click the Apple logo > System Preferences > General > Default Web Browser > choose Google Chrome.
Stop Notifications to Avoid Getting Distracted
Chrome is a popular browser, and it comes with tons of bells and whistles. Some of them can be annoying, such as notifications. Chrome may keep pinging you for attention while you are working. To maintain a distraction-free workflow, learn how to disable notifications on Chrome.
Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu > choose Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings >Notifications > toggle off the Sites can ask to send notifications option > under the Allow section, right-click on the websites you don’t want to see notifications from, and select Remove.
Organize Tabs Using the Groups Feature
‘Group’ is a newly introduced feature in Google Chrome and is excellent for organizing tabs. If you have multiple tabs open, you can organize them in neat groups. This helps to declutter the top bar and keep all the open tabs bundled into a topic.
You can create a new Group by right-clicking at the top of a tab, choosing Add tab to a new group, and naming the group. You can also choose a color for the Group.
If you want to add a new tab to an existing Group, right-click the tab and select Add tab to group.
Harness the Power of the Omnibox
Omnibox or address bar in Chrome is not just a place to type URLs. You can leverage the power of Omnibox by performing calculations, quick searches, performing conversions, etc. You can also get instant weather updates and whatever information you need.
This is a multifunctional tool that you can utilize to streamline your workflow.
Use it as a Text Editor
Did you know Google Chrome has an in-built text editor? You don’t need to use any other software or program to edit your texts.
To use Chrome’s text editor feature, type the address “text:text/html, <html contenteditable>” in the Chrome URL box. Now, you can edit your text.
Create Website Shortcuts
You can create website shortcuts by clicking three vertical dots and then choosing More Tools > Create Shortcut > Create. The shortcut will appear in your Mac’s Launchpad.
Suppose you want to delete the shortcut, press Command + Spacebar to open Spotlight and search for Chrome apps. When the folder opens, delete the app icon.
Do Not Forget to Leverage Chrome Extensions!
You can customize Google Chrome to suit your workflow. Explore its vast collection of extensions that enhance productivity and streamline your workflow. You will find the extensions in the Chrome Web Store. The extensions are regularly updated to cater to the changing needs of the users. Some popular extensions include Todoist for task management, Grammarly for writing assistant, Plagium for detecting AI writing and checking plagiarism, etc.
Furthermore, Apple has launched the iCloud Passwords extension for Google Chrome. This extension lets you fill passwords stored in iCloud Keychain while using Chrome.
Browse Privately
You can browse privately and anonymously on Chrome by pressing Command + shift + N to open a new incognito window. Browsing in incognito means the window will not save cookies, history, and site data.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Hurry Along the Tasks
Navigate Chrome like a pro while saving time by memorizing some handy keyboard shortcuts.
For instance, Command + T opens a new tab, Command + Shift + T reopens the last closed tab, Command + L highlights the Omnibox for quick searching, Command + W closes the current tab, and Command + Option + Left/Right Arrow navigates between open tabs.
Change the Download Location
You can change the location if you don’t want the files to be downloaded in the Downloads folder. Click Advanced in Chrome Settings and select Downloads. Then, select Change next to Location and choose the desired folder. For instance, you can save the downloaded files to the desktop or a newly created folder.
The Bottom Line
With these tips and tricks, you can harness the full potential of Google Chrome on your Mac. These hacks will help streamline your workflow and boost productivity. You will blaze through your tasks and complete more work in less time.
If you want to add more Chrome tricks for Mac users, do not hesitate to leave a comment.
