Apps/tweaks that make macOS better?

[tsegreto]

The last two years a few apps really stuck out to me as increasing the usefulness of macOS:

PopClip - really helpful with selecting and pasting text
CopyClip - clipboard manager
HyperDock - gives a preview window in the Dock
MacID - use your iPhone 5S+ fingerprint scanner to unlock your Mac
iStat Menus - Gives you a lot of great data in your menu bar
SwitchResX - Custom resolutions

And these tweaks (mostly terminal):

Change the layout of Launchpad to fit more icons in - http://osxdaily.com/2016/03/09/change-launchpad-icon-grid-layout-mac-os-x/
Disable boot chime
Disable charging chime - My solution at the bottom, https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7770010?start=0&tstart=0
Change location of screen shots - https://www.imore.com/fifteen-terminal-tricks-every-mac-user-should-know (and has many more)

Is there any macOS apps or tweaks that you feel drastically increase the user experience of macOS?

 

[MjWoNeR]

I use BetterTouchTool to customise the Magic Mouse.

I used XtraFinder before to have the columns auto-adjust depending on the length of file names but XtraFinder stopped working with Apple’s SIP introduction.

But I’m very interested in how to turn off that awful chime?

 

[tsegreto]

I use BetterTouchTool to customise the Magic Mouse.

I used XtraFinder before to have the columns auto-adjust depending on the length of file names but XtraFinder stopped working with Apple’s SIP introduction.

But I’m very interested in how to turn off that awful chime?

First disable SIP then I opened (/System/Library/CoreServices/PowerChime.app/Contents/MacOS/PowerChime), navigated to /Resources/connect_power.aif and I copied that file and edited it so it blank, then replaces it with SIP off. I didn't want to remove the whole string as I thought it could possibly lead to some unintended side effects. Reenable SIP

 

[fisherking]

i used to disable the chime, but really... it has a purpose. besides letting you know that your mac is booting correctly... try resetting the pram without it (no, actually, don't do that, you need the chime for that). just mentioning!

 

[Fishrrman]

There is an app out there called "Mountain Tweaks" that can be used to customize and set certain characteristics within the OS.

As the name implies, it is from back in the "Mountain Lion" days, and hasn't been updated lately.
BUT... much of it still works with High Sierra.

It's free, worth some experimentation.

My favorite OS tweaks:
- DISABLE Spotlight
- DISABLE Hibernation mode
- DISABLE VM disk swapping (you need enough RAM)

 

[fisherking]

onyx, tinker tool, deeper are good for customizing 'hidden' settings as well (i've used onyx for years)...

 

[dianeoforegon]

Popclip one of my most used. It's one of those apps you think you don't need until you use it.

Yoink drag and drop to shelf. PilotMoon also makes Dropshelf, but overall I prefer Yoink. Both have demos.
Moom - move and zoom windows. Make sets for your work layout.
APowersoft Screenshot is a free app in App Store that takes screenshots that lets you name and save plus markup. Has easy shortcut Command 1 that's not only easy to remember but uses one hand.

Add spaces to Dock. I keep a lot of apps in my Dock. I use the spaces to help separate into suites.
Terminal command:
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '{"tile-type"="spacer-tile";}'
<return>
killall Dock
<return>

 

[MjWoNeR]

There is an app out there called "Mountain Tweaks" that can be used to customize and set certain characteristics within the OS.

As the name implies, it is from back in the "Mountain Lion" days, and hasn't been updated lately.
BUT... much of it still works with High Sierra.

It's free, worth some experimentation.

My favorite OS tweaks:
- DISABLE Spotlight
- DISABLE Hibernation mode
- DISABLE VM disk swapping (you need enough RAM)

Does disabling VM disk swapping actually provide an advantage with High Sierra?

 

[tsegreto]

Just tested, MacID lets you use FaceID on the new iPhone X to unlock macOS

 

[Cougarcat]

In addition to some things already listed here:

PasteBot, for clipboard manager. A clipboard manager is the one app that's an absolute necessity.
Scroll Reverser, to keep scrolling consistent for mouse + trackpad.
Deliveries (Dashboard Widget) for Delivery status sync. There's also a paid NC widget but I hate the NC.
SuperDuper, to make clone backups.