I’ve always relied on my MacBook for work, from managing my projects to editing content and even attending endless virtual meetings. Upon the announcement of macOS Sonoma, I anticipated it to be just another incremental update. However, after extensive use over the past few weeks, I can confidently assert that it’s a transformative experience.
Sonoma doesn’t just bring new features—it redefines how I organize, focus, and get things done. Here are the best macOS Sonoma tips for productivity, based on real-life use and experience.
Desktop Widgets: Your Productivity Dashboard
Widgets have always been useful, but in macOS Sonoma, they’ve evolved into true productivity boosters. You can now place interactive widgets directly on your desktop—and trust me, they’ve become my go-to tools for staying organized.
How I Use Widgets Daily:
- Reminders Widget: This keeps me on top of my tasks. The Reminders Widget reminds me of my daily priorities every time I check my desktop.
- Calendar Widget: It’s like a mini-planner that shows me what’s next without opening the Calendar app.
- Weather Widget: Quick updates help me plan my day, especially when commuting.
- Third-Party Widgets: Apps like Todoist integrate seamlessly, turning my desktop into a personal productivity hub.
Pro Tip: Widgets automatically dim when you’re using other apps, so they don’t distract you while staying accessible in the background.
Stage Manager: Multitasking Made Simple
Before Sonoma, my desktop often looked like chaos—too many open windows and no sense of order. With Stage Manager, I now keep everything organized and focused.
How I Use Stage Manager:
- I activate Stage Manager through Control Center.
- I group apps based on tasks—for example:
- Research Stack: Safari, Notes, and a PDF reader.
- Writing Stack: Grammarly, Google Docs, and Finder.
- It’s effortless to switch between stacks and drag files between apps.
Why It’s Great: Stage Manager eliminates the clutter and keeps me immersed in one task at a time. It’s been a lifesaver during workdays filled with multitasking.
Safari Profiles: Work-Life Separation, Simplified
If you’re like me and constantly juggling work and personal browsing, Safari Profiles in Sonoma will blow your mind. This feature lets you create separate environments for different aspects of your life.
How I Set Up My Profiles:
- Work Profile: Includes bookmarks for project management tools, email, and research sites.
- Personal Profile: Keeps my streaming services, social media, and shopping tabs separate.
- Study Profile: Dedicated to online courses and reading materials.
Pro Tip: You can assign different extensions to each profile. For example, my Work Profile includes productivity extensions like Grammarly, while my Personal Profile has a dark mode enhancer for Netflix.
Switching profiles is instant, and it helps me stay focused without mixing work and leisure.
Presenter Overlay: Look Professional in Every Call
Virtual meetings are part of my daily routine, and Sonoma’s Presenter Overlay has completely transformed how I present during video calls.
What Makes It Awesome:
- Your face stays visible alongside your shared screen, creating a more engaging presentation.
- You can choose between a small bubble overlay or a large overlay with your content displayed in the background.
How I Use It:
I use the Presenter Overlay during client presentations, where I need to keep their attention on me while discussing slides or spreadsheets. It’s smooth, intuitive, and makes me look far more professional than a simple screen share.
Focus Modes: Zero Distractions, Maximum Output
Sonoma’s upgraded Focus Modes has been my secret weapon for cutting out distractions and getting in the zone.
How I Customized Focus Modes:
Work Focus:
- Allows notifications only from Slack, email, and Zoom.
- Blocks distractions like social media.
Deep Work Focus:
- Blocks everything except my writing apps.
- Activates between 9 AM and 12 PM automatically.
Why It’s Great:
With Focus Modes synced across my MacBook and iPhone, I stay distraction-free no matter which device I’m using. It’s made a huge difference in how much I accomplish during the day.
Notes and Reminders: Staying Organized
The built-in Notes and Reminders apps in macOS Sonoma are more powerful than ever. They’ve gone from being simple tools to essential parts of my productivity system.
How I Use Notes:
- Linked Notes: I create connected notes for projects, so all my ideas, research, and drafts stay organized.
- Rich Media Support: Adding images, PDFs, and tables makes Notes feel like a lightweight project management tool.
How I Use Reminders:
- Smart Lists: Automatically categorizes tasks by deadline or priority.
- Progress Tracking: I use it to manage multi-step assignments or shopping lists.
Shortcuts App: Automate Repetitive Tasks
The Shortcuts App in Sonoma is a hidden gem for anyone who wants to save time on repetitive actions.
My Favorite Shortcuts:
- Morning Routine Shortcut: Opens my Calendar, Mail, and Spotify playlist with a single click.
- File Organizer Shortcut: Automatically sorts downloaded files into folders based on type.
- Focus Starter Shortcut: Activates Focus Mode and opens my task management app.
If you spend time doing repetitive tasks, Shortcuts can transform your workflow.
Spotlight Search: Your Productivity Sidekick
Spotlight Search has always been a favorite of mine, but in Sonoma, it feels even faster and more versatile.
How I Use Spotlight:
- Quick Calculations: Enter “75/5” or “$50 to euros” directly into Spotlight.
- File Hunting: Search by keywords to find documents, emails, or apps instantly.
- Web Searches: Type “current weather” or “news” to get instant results without opening a browser.
It’s like having a personal assistant built into my MacBook.
Optimize Mission Control for Faster Navigation
Sonoma’s Mission Control and Hot Corners are underrated productivity features. Setting up custom gestures and shortcuts has made navigating my MacBook faster than ever.
My Setup:
- Top Left Corner: Show Desktop.
- Bottom Right Corner: Launchpad for quick access to apps.
- Four-Finger Swipe Up: Opens Mission Control to switch between workspaces.
These small tweaks add up to big time savings.
Beautiful Screen Savers That Inspire Focus
While it might seem minor, Sonoma’s Aerial Screen Savers are surprisingly motivating. I use the serene landscapes as mini mental breaks during busy days.
Pro Tip: Set a timer for short breaks, and let the soothing visuals help you recharge.
Conclusion: Sonoma Takes Productivity to the Next Level
macOS Sonoma has transformed how I work, giving me tools that feel intuitive and effective. From widgets that keep me organized to Focus Modes that eliminate distractions, it’s clear that this isn’t just an update—it’s a productivity upgrade.
If you haven’t already, take the time to explore these features and build a workflow that suits your needs. Trust me, your MacBook will feel like a brand-new machine.
