How to Download and Install Magnet on Mac

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Magnet AppmacOSSoftware InstallationApp DownloadmacOS ApplicationsSystem SetupMac UtilitiesSoftware ManagementDesktop EnhancementsApple Mac

Magnet is a powerful tool for Mac users who want to enhance their multitasking capability. It allows for easy management of the windows on your desktop. With Magnet, you can quickly organize your workspace by snapping windows into organized sections or resizing them to specific configurations. This makes it much easier to handle multiple tasks at once and maintain an efficient workflow. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through each step you need to take to download and install Magnet on your Mac, in a way that's clear and easy to understand.

What is a magnet?

Before we move on to the downloading and installation process, let’s first talk about what Magnet is and why it can be useful for you. Magnet is an application developed specifically for macOS that enables you to organize your workspace effortlessly. It is inspired by the “Snap Assist” feature found in Windows and aims to bring this functionality to MacOS users. When you have multiple windows open, sometimes it becomes cluttered making it challenging to handle different tasks. Magnet comes to the rescue by allowing windows to easily take up half, quarter, full screen, or custom sections of your display.

Moreover, Magnet simplifies window management with customizable keyboard shortcuts, enabling fast and efficient navigation between different window configurations. This not only increases productivity but also keeps your desk free from clutter.

System requirements

Before installing Magnet, it is important to verify that your Mac meets the necessary system requirements. As of the latest version:

• Magnet is compatible with macOS 10.9 Mavericks or later.
• Your Mac must have an Internet connection to download apps from the App Store.

Purchasing Magnets from the Mac App Store

Magnet is a paid application available on the Mac App Store. Follow these steps to purchase and download it:

1. Open the Mac App Store: Find the App Store icon, which should be present on your Dock or accessible through the Applications folder.
2. Search for Magnet. There is a search bar in the upper-right corner of the App Store window. Click on it and type "Magnet." Press the Enter key to search.
3. Locate Magnet: From the search results, find the Magnet app by its distinctive logo and description. Often, it will be one of the top results.
4. Buy Magnet: Click on the Magnet app to open its page. Here, you'll find details about the app, user reviews, and screenshots. To buy it, click the price button (which may display a monetary value, such as $7.99).
5. Authenticate with Apple ID: After the purchase request, you may be asked to authenticate your Apple ID. Enter the required credentials to proceed.
6. Download the magnets: Once authenticated, the magnets will begin downloading to your Mac. Depending on your connection speed, this may take a few minutes.

Installing Magnet on your Mac

After downloading Magnet, installation is generally simple as it is part of the application downloaded from the Mac App Store. Here is how you can complete the installation:

1. Locate the Applications folder: Find and open your Applications folder using Finder. Alternatively, you can access it using Spotlight search (press Command + Space and type "Applications").
2. Find Magnet: Look for the Magnet application icon in the Applications folder. It should be present since the downloading is done through Mac's official App Store.
3. Open Magnet: Double-click the Magnet icon to open it for the first time.

Grant accessibility permissions

When opening Magnet for the first time, you may get a pop-up to enable it in the Accessibility section of your System Preferences. This is a necessary step to allow Magnet to efficiently manage and organize your windows. Here's how to do it:

1. Open System Preferences. You can find System Preferences by clicking the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of your screen.
2. Go to Security & Privacy: Under System Preferences, click Security & Privacy.
3. Go to the Privacy tab. At the top of the Security & Privacy window, there are several tabs. Click the Privacy tab.
4. Select Accessibility: On the left side of the Privacy settings, there is a list of services. Scroll through this list and locate Accessibility.
5. Unlock preferences: To make changes, you must unlock the privacy settings by clicking the lock icon in the lower-left corner of the window. You will be asked to enter your administrator credentials.
6. Enable magnets: After unlocking, look for magnets in the list on the right. Make sure the checkbox next to magnets is ticked, giving it the necessary permissions.

Use of magnets

Once the magnet is installed correctly and approved, it is ready to use! Get familiar with its basic operation and functionality:

• Snap a window with your mouse: Drag any window to the edges of your screen. As you get closer, an outline will appear showing how the window will be resized—release it to snap it into place.
• Keyboard shortcuts: Magnet comes with several predefined shortcuts. For example:
  • Control + Option + Command + → : Move the window to the right half.
  • Control + Option + Command + ← : Move the window to the left half.
  • You can customize these shortcuts in Magnet's settings to suit your preferences.
• Access Magnet's menu: Find Magnet in the top menu bar of your desktop. Accessing the Magnet icon provides options and preferences. You can also configure hotkeys here as you wish.

Customization and configuration

You can customize the behavior of Magnets according to your specific needs. Visit the Preferences section to see the available options, such as adjusting window snapping sensitivity, configuring your favorite screen parts for quick shortcuts, and more.

Magnet remains a favorite among many Mac users due to its practicality and ease of use. Once you start using Magnet, it will become easier to manage multiple applications at once, exponentially increasing the basic functionality of your Mac.

Troubleshooting

If you experience any problems with the magnets after installation, consider taking the following troubleshooting steps:

• Make sure that Magnet is granted the necessary access permissions as discussed.
• Verify that Magnet is running by checking the menu bar icon.
• If keyboard shortcuts are unresponsive, double-check the configuration under Magnet's settings for possible conflicts with other applications.
• Restarting the application or your Mac may solve any problems you're encountering.

With this detailed guide, downloading and installing Magnet on your Mac will be a seamless process, allowing this productivity-boosting tool to change the way you manage your workspace.

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