Tech Shortcuts You Wish You Knew Sooner

In today’s fast-paced world, technology isn’t just a tool—it’s your personal assistant, your productivity booster, and your secret weapon. But most people use only a fraction of their devices’ capabilities. Hidden within your laptop, smartphone, browser, and everyday apps are time-saving tech shortcuts that can change how you work, browse, and manage your life.

This article reveals 15 smart tech shortcuts across different categories that you’ll wish you discovered earlier.

Let’s unlock them now. 👇

1. Keyboard Shortcuts That Feel Like Superpowers

Most people waste minutes (or hours) each day using the mouse. These keyboard shortcuts make your workflow smoother and faster:

🔹 Essential Shortcuts for Windows:

• Ctrl + Shift + T: Reopen closed browser tab

• Alt + Tab: Switch between open apps

• Win + D: Show desktop instantly

• Ctrl + L: Jump to browser address bar

• Win + V: Access clipboard history (if enabled)

🔹 Essential Shortcuts for Mac:

• Cmd + Space: Launch Spotlight (search apps/files instantly)

• Cmd + Shift + 4: Partial screenshot

• Cmd + Option + Esc: Force quit apps

• Cmd + Tab: Switch between applications

• Cmd + , (comma): Open app settings/preferences

👉 Tip: Learn 5 shortcuts per week. Within a month, you’ll cut hours off your workflow.

2. Turn Websites into Desktop Apps

Tired of working in a crowded browser with dozens of tabs open? With just a few clicks, you can turn any site into a desktop app.

 How to do it (Chrome or Edge):

1. Open the website (e.g., Notion, Canva, ChatGPT)

2. Click the 3 dots (menu)

3. Go to More Tools > Create Shortcut

4. Check “Open in New Window”

5. Done! It behaves like a standalone app

No tab switching. No distractions. Boosts focus and speed.

3. Use Gmail Aliases to Stay Organized

Gmail lets you create custom email aliases without creating new accounts.

Try this:

• yourname+clients@gmail.com

• yourname+shop@gmail.com

• yourname+newsletters@gmail.com

All emails go to the same inbox, but you can filter, sort, or auto-label them using Gmail rules.

✅ Great for online signups, filtering spam, and organizing your workflow.

4. Copy-Paste Across Devices with Universal Clipboard

Imagine copying a link on your phone and pasting it on your laptop instantly. Welcome to Universal Clipboard.

🔧 Tools That Enable It:

• Apple Ecosystem: Works across iPhone, iPad, and Mac

• Microsoft SwiftKey Clipboard Sync: Windows + Android

• ClipboardFusion or Pushbullet (cross-platform)

Seamless. Efficient. Game-changer.

5. Google Search Tricks You Never Knew Existed

Searching smarter can save you hours. Here are hidden search operators:

• site: → Search a specific site
  → site:forbes.com ai tools

• filetype: → Find PDFs, PPTs, etc.
  → remote jobs filetype:pdf

• define: → Get definitions instantly
  → define:blockchain

• “-” symbol → Exclude terms
  → Apple -fruit

👉 Combine them for powerful search results.

6. Smart Screenshots with Built-in OCR (Text Extraction)

Don’t waste time typing text from an image or document. Use screenshot + OCR to extract it instantly.

Tools:

• Windows: Snipping Tool + OneNote (built-in OCR)

• Mac: Preview app + Live Text

• Online: Google Keep (add image > right-click > Grab text)

• Android/iOS: Google Lens or iOS Live Text

Super handy for copying text from photos, PDFs, or scanned notes.

7. Text Expansion for Smarter Typing

You can save hours per week by using text replacement tools.

 Best Apps:

• Text Blaze (Chrome)

• aText (Mac)

• PhraseExpress (Windows)

Example:

• //email → Replaces with your full email

• //thanks → “Thanks for reaching out. I’ll get back to you shortly!”

Perfect for freelancers, marketers, and support teams.

Schedule Emails with Gmail or Outlook

Stop writing emails late at night or on weekends. Just schedule them.

Gmail:

• Compose email → Click arrow near “Send” → Schedule send

• Set delivery for next morning, specific date, or Monday 9am

Outlook:

• Use “Delay Delivery” option in settings

👉 Appear more professional + manage communications better.

9. Smart Calendar Tricks

Use your calendar like a productivity weapon:

• Set Default Durations (25 min meetings instead of 30)

• Use “Speedy Meetings” (Google Calendar setting)

• Attach meeting notes or documents to event

• Add location links (Zoom, Meet, Maps) for faster access

• Color code categories: meetings, deadlines, self-time

Combine with Calendly or SavvyCal to schedule without emailing back and forth.

10. Declutter Your Digital Life Automatically

Instead of cleaning manually, automate it:

 Tools:

• Google Files App: Clear junk files

• CleanMyMac: Find duplicate files and caches

• Unroll.Me: Unsubscribe from newsletters

• Auto Archive in Gmail: Set filters to auto-move emails

Result? More space, fewer distractions.

 11. Use Back Tap Gestures on iPhone and Android

Enable “double tap” on the back of your phone to take screenshots, open apps, or turn on flashlight.

 iPhone:

• Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap

• Assign double-tap to “Screenshot” or “Control Center”

Android:

• Depends on model (Pixel, Samsung, etc.)

• Use apps like TapTap (third-party)

It’s like giving your phone a secret button!

12. Browser Omnibox = Power Tool

Chrome’s address bar is more than just a URL field:

• Type calc → Opens calculator

• Type weather, stocks, or currency conversions

• Search directly inside websites (if enabled)

Example:
Type yt tab → Press Tab → Search YouTube directly

One bar to rule them all.

13. Use Virtual Desktops for Organized Workspaces

Multitasking across tasks? Don’t mix everything in one desktop.

 How:

• Windows: Win + Tab > New Desktop

• Mac: Control + Up > “+” to add new space

Use one desktop for work, another for personal tasks, and a third for entertainment.

14. Dictate Instead of Typing

Tired of typing long texts or emails?

 Tools:

• Google Docs: Tools > Voice Typing

• Windows: Win + H

• Mac: Fn (or press mic icon)

• Otter.ai: Voice notes, meetings, transcripts

Speak your ideas out loud and let the computer do the typing!

15. Combine All Shortcuts with Automation Tools

Apps like Zapier, IFTTT, and Make.com can automate everyday actions:

• Automatically back up files

• Get alerts when a new video drops

• Save Gmail attachments to Google Drive

• Post to multiple social media platforms at once

Set it once, and forget it. Time = saved.

Become a Shortcut Ninja

Every one of these shortcuts is designed to eliminate friction between you and the task you want to complete. Whether it’s typing faster, switching apps smarter, or automating repetitive tasks—tech is your ally, not your obstacle.

💬 Which shortcut are you going to use first?