If you use a Mac regularly, you probably already know Spotlight as a handy search tool. But with the upcoming macOS Tahoe, Apple is making it much more powerful. They call it the “biggest Spotlight update ever,” and it’s designed to help you find, launch, and do more with your apps and files faster than before.

What’s New in Spotlight Search

Now, opening Spotlight is still as simple as pressing Command-Space. But once it’s open, you can do a lot more. You can browse your apps with a visual launcher or start typing to find what you need. You can also look through your files, filter them by type, or explore documents stored in your iCloud account. Additionally, Spotlight can now show you suggestions based on what you usually do at certain times of the day or what you were working on when you opened it. For example, if you often send a specific document on Mondays, Spotlight will display it right at the top of your search results.

Apple has included quick access features called Quick Keys. These are shortcuts you can assign for regular tasks like sending messages, setting reminders, or opening apps. For instance, typing a quick combination like “SM” can open Messages, allowing you to compose and send a message without opening the app directly. There are over 100 built-in actions, including sending emails, starting FaceTime calls, playing podcasts, or even running custom Shortcuts. You can also create your own shortcuts to streamline your workflow. One limitation is that Spotlight can’t change system settings directly, but it can handle a wide range of app and system actions to boost your efficiency.

Enhanced Clipboard and Search Features

One of the cool new tricks is Spotlight’s ability to search your clipboard history. This means if you’ve copied something but forgot to save or paste it, Spotlight can help you find it later. Just press Command-4 or click the clipboard icon, and you’ll see a list of recently copied items like text, images, links, or files. You can delete, copy, or reuse these items. Keep in mind, the clipboard history only saves items for up to eight hours, so it’s a handy but temporary buffer.

Spotlight is also getting smarter at helping you navigate within apps. If the app supports it, you can search for menu commands directly from Spotlight using familiar commands like Command-Shift-/. This makes it easier to find and execute actions without hunting through menus. However, not all apps will fully support this feature, especially those that prefer their own search systems.

Integration and Automation Improvements

Apple has brought more intelligence to Spotlight through Apple Intelligence. Now, you can create custom Shortcuts workflows and trigger them directly from Spotlight. For example, you could select some files, type a Shortcut name, and have those files automatically resized, summarized, or converted. Spotlight can also predict what you might want to do next based on your habits, offering quick access to templates or reports you frequently use.

Another interesting addition is the integration with your iPhone. As long as you’re logged into the same Apple ID on both devices, Spotlight can show apps from your iPhone and even launch them on your phone right from your Mac. This feature relies on iPhone Mirroring, which isn’t available in Europe for privacy reasons, but in regions where it works, it can feel almost magical.

Spotlight’s support for third-party storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive has also improved. You can now search for files stored on these platforms directly through Spotlight, provided those services update their apps to support this feature. This makes finding all your important files easier, no matter where they’re stored.

Overall, macOS Tahoe’s update transforms Spotlight from a simple search box into a versatile productivity hub. Whether you’re launching apps, managing files, or automating tasks, Spotlight now helps you do it all faster and smarter. The new features are currently in public beta, and they promise to make your Mac experience more seamless and efficient once fully released.

Inspired by

• https://www.computerworld.com/article/4041433/spotlight-is-much-better-in-macos-tahoe-heres-whats-new.html

Sources

• gmpg.org
• apple.com
• vivaldi.net
• applemust.com
• podigee.com