macOS Catalina, the newest version of the software that runs on the Mac, is set to come out in just a few weeks. macOS updates don't often receive as much attention as iOS updates, so there are some macOS Catalina features that may have gone under the radar.

We've covered major new additions in macOS Catalina in beta posts and our roundup, but we thought it would be worth highlighting some of the smaller changes and tweaks that are worth knowing about.


- Notes Sharing - In the Notes app, there are new sharing options that let you share an entire folder of notes or share a note in a view-only capacity, so someone can see it but not edit it.

- Easy Multitasking - If you hover over the green button on any app, there's an option to tile it to the left or the right, which sends it to one side of the screen so you can open another app right next to it for quick multitasking. You can also use this feature to send an app fullscreen, of course.

- Signing Documents - In macOS Catalina, if you need to sign a PDF or another document, you can do so with your iPhone or iPad. Just use the Markup menu inside of Preview, choose Signature, and then create signature. You can sign right on your touchscreen after selecting an iOS device.

- One-Click Unsubscribe in Mail - There's a new feature in the Mail app that puts a handy little unsubscribe link right at the top of mailing list emails so you can get off of mailing lists quick.

- Picture in Picture - In Safari, there's an option to enter picture in picture mode by clicking on the little sound icon that's up in the navigation bar and selecting the "Picture in Picture" option. This pulls out the video window so you can watch while you browse the web. Picture in Picture is also now available inside QuickTime (just click the Picture in Picture button in the navigation controller).

- Automatic Dark Mode - macOS Mojave brought Dark Mode, but in macOS Catalina, there's a new "Auto" option that will swap between ‌Dark Mode‌ and Light Mode in the mornings and the evenings. You can turn it on by opening up System Preferences and going to the General tab.

- Relocated Apple ID and Device Syncing - macOS Catalina splits iTunes into Music, TV, and Podcasts, which means some iTunes features have been relocated. Device syncing is now handled through the Finder app when an ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ is connected, and managing your Apple ID is now done in System Preferences.

- iCloud File Sharing - In iCloud Drive, there's now an option to share entire iCloud folders with another user. Just right click on a folder and choose share.

- iCloud File Deletion Tweaks - You can remove downloads from your Mac without deleting them from ‌iCloud‌ in Catalina. Right click on a file and select the "Remove Download" option. This will make it available only on ‌iCloud‌, with a little ‌iCloud‌ icon denoting that it's no longer on your machine.

Have other tips and tricks worth knowing that we didn't include in the video? Let us know about them in the comments.

Related Forum: macOS Catalina

Top Rated Comments

BWhaler Avatar
81 months ago
Wow, didn't know about the picture in picture. It works everywhere now.
Does this allow for YouTube videos to play without staying in the app or on the web page? So annoying Google limits this unless you pay $180/year in addition to they can better spy on you—the real cost.
[doublepost=1567037964][/doublepost]
Nice. This brings me one step closer to being able to get rid of Dropbox once and for all.
I just dumped Dropbox. Too expensive. Too invasive on the Mac. Too slimy by asking to upload files and pics and screenshots all the time. And now focused on a new idea which I don’t want to pay for.

Loved Dropbox back in the day. But good riddance.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
81 months ago
- iCloud File Sharing - In iCloud Drive, there's now an option to share entire iCloud folders with another user. Just right click on a folder and choose share.
Nice. This brings me one step closer to being able to get rid of Dropbox once and for all.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ruggy Avatar
80 months ago
Does this allow for YouTube videos to play without staying in the app or on the web page? So annoying Google limits this unless you pay $180/year in addition to they can better spy on you—the real cost.
[doublepost=1567037964][/doublepost]

I just dumped Dropbox. Too expensive. Too invasive on the Mac. Too slimy by asking to upload files and pics and screenshots all the time. And now focused on a new idea which I don’t want to pay for.

Loved Dropbox back in the day. But good riddance.
I have a useful tip if you use Duckduckgo as your search engine.
If you search for a Youtube video in Duckduck go under the 'Videos' section, then you will be presented with a small screen that explains that Google don't allow you to connect to Youtube anonymously and do you want to view the video here?

If you view it on Duckduck go then it doesn't play any ads- well at least I've never seen any but I'm not a huge Youtube user, maybe there are some eventually.
There is still a setting to play full screen so I don't see a down side.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikir Avatar
81 months ago
Thanks, very nice tips.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PJRB Avatar
81 months ago
Really helpful video thank you. Great work.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flexiboy1912 Avatar
81 months ago
They still need to fix the mess of artwork in new Music and TV app then I will be happy
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26 Battery Glass Feature

iOS 26.1 Beta Liquid Glass Battery Drain Test: Tinted vs Clear Mode

Friday October 24, 2025 2:30 pm PDT by
In the fourth iOS 26.1 beta, Apple added a "Tinted" option that reduces the translucency of Liquid Glass for those who prefer a more opaque look. I saw some comments wondering whether the setting might preserve battery life, so I thought I'd do some testing. Test Settings I did four separate tests using the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I kept the parameters as similar as possible. Here are the...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Coming Soon With These 8 New Features for Your iPhone

Wednesday October 22, 2025 6:15 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more. iOS 26.1 is currently in beta testing. The update will likely be released in the first half of November, and it is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer, but some...
iOS 26 Maps Glass

Apple Reportedly Moving Ahead With Ads in Maps App

Sunday October 26, 2025 6:22 am PDT by
Apple Maps could feature integrated ads as soon as next year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports. In his latest "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple's plan to bring more ads to iOS is moving "gaining traction," with the Maps app being next in line. The project will apparently give restaurants and other businesses the option to pay to have their details featured more prominently in...
Emergency SOS via Satellite iPhone YT

iPhone 18 Pro Rumored to Support Full 5G Satellite Internet

Friday October 24, 2025 7:18 am PDT by
At least some new iPhone models launching next year may support full 5G satellite internet, according to a report this week from The Information. "Apple plans to add support in upcoming iPhones as early as next year for 5G networks that aren't tethered to Earth's surface, which includes satellites," the report said. "That would give the iPhone full internet access over satellite," it added. ...
trump white house ballroom

Apple Donating to Trump's $350M White House Ballroom Project

Thursday October 23, 2025 3:55 pm PDT by
Apple is one of several tech companies that will contribute to the construction of U.S. President Donald Trump's 90,000-square-foot ballroom, reports CNN. Construction began on the ballroom this week, and the White House's east wing was torn down. Trump claims that the ballroom will cost $350 million, and that it will be privately funded through donations. The cost has already increased $150 ...
iPhone 17 Colors

iPhone 18 Rumored to Feature 50% More RAM

Saturday October 25, 2025 2:57 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 could feature 50% more memory than its predecessor, according to Korea's The Bell. With its latest iPhone lineup, the iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max feature 12GB of memory. This is a significant increase of 4GB more their predecessors, largely driven by the demands of on-device artificial intelligence processing. The iPhone 17 is the only new...
All Screen iPhone 2027 Feature 1

Report: Apple to Skip 'iPhone 19' Name for 'iPhone 20'

Thursday October 23, 2025 4:28 am PDT by
Apple's new iPhone lineup launched in the fall of 2027 will be called the "iPhone 20" models, rather than the "iPhone 19," according to research firm Omdia. Speaking at a conference in Seoul (via ETNews), Omdia Chief Researcher Heo Moo-yeol corroborated rumors that Apple plans to move the launch of its standard iPhone to the first half of the year and provided some additional clarity about...
iOS 26 Feature

iOS 26 Leaker Being Sued by Apple is Actually a 'Lifelong Apple Fanboy'

Friday October 24, 2025 9:20 am PDT by
In July, Apple sued well-known YouTuber Jon Prosser and his acquaintance Michael Ramacciotti over alleged theft of the company's trade secrets, after Prosser leaked some iOS 26 details in videos uploaded to his YouTube channel Front Page Tech. If you are not caught up on the lawsuit, read our initial coverage to learn more. Earlier this week, Prosser told The Verge he has "been in active...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: iPhone Air Is in Trouble

Friday October 24, 2025 8:32 am PDT by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we discuss the latest rumors about the iPhone Air not selling as well as Apple hoped. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos There have been many recent reports suggesting the iPhone Air has failed to catch on with consumers, with Apple moving to cut production due to lower-than-expected sales. The first warning sign was...