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How to Use Control Center in macOS Big Sur
Edited 3 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
macOSControl CenterFeaturesSettingsNavigationInterfaceAppleComputerCustomizationMac
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macOS Big Sur was a significant update to Apple's line of operating systems for Mac computers. One of the new features it introduced is Control Center, a feature many users may recognize from iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad. Control Center in macOS Big Sur allows users to quickly access various controls and settings without having to navigate through System Preferences or menus. This feature is not only about ease of access but also about organizing your user experience more efficiently. Below, we discuss in detail how you can use Control Center in macOS Big Sur to optimize your daily tasks and activities.
What is Control Center?
Control Center is a place where you can find and manage various system controls and settings in one place. It's designed to make it easier to access key settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirDrop, and display brightness. Like iOS, the macOS Big Sur Control Center includes sliders, toggles, and buttons for quick adjustments.
Accessing Control Center gives you the ability to quickly make changes to your Mac's system settings without needing to open individual applications or settings menus. This centralized location for controls can save time and increase productivity, especially for users who frequently adjust their system settings.
Accessing the Control Center
To access Control Center on macOS Big Sur, look for the Control icon in the menu bar, which is usually located in the upper-right corner of the screen. The Control Center icon looks like a pair of toggle switches. Click this icon, and Control Center will appear, mirroring your current screen.
Understanding the layout
The layout of the Control Center is intuitive and straightforward. When you open it, you'll see a panel with various controls that are grouped together by categories. Each section is accessible via a simple click, allowing you to make adjustments right there.
In Control Center, you'll find the following primary sections:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: These controls let you connect to available networks or devices. You can quickly turn these settings on or off without going to System Preferences.
- Sound: Adjust the system volume using the slider. You can also manage the audio output by choosing between different connected devices, such as headphones or speakers.
- Display: Control settings such as display brightness. You can also activate Night Shift to reduce blue light, which can be easier on your eyes during nighttime use.
- AirDrop: Quickly set your AirDrop preferences here to send or receive files with other Apple devices.
Customizing the Control Center
macOS Big Sur allows you to personalize your Control Center to suit your needs. You can choose which controls appear by default and which ones you would prefer to hide. While the default settings are sufficient for most users, customization can improve your efficiency when using your Mac.
How to customize:
- Click the Apple menu at the top left of your screen and select System Preferences.
- Select Dock and Menu Bar.
- In the sidebar, find the Control Center section. Here, you will find different options that can be added or removed from the Control Center.
- Select an item under Control Center and decide whether it will appear in Control Center. You'll see a checkbox next to Show in Control Center.
- Check or uncheck as per your choice.
Daily uses of Control Center
1. Quick network change
Control Center is especially useful if you frequently switch between Wi-Fi networks or use Bluetooth devices. Instead of opening System Preferences each time, you can change these settings directly from the menu bar.
Example:
Imagine you frequently commute between home and a public workplace. You can click on the Wi-Fi control in Control Center and choose the preferred network with just a few clicks. Similarly, for Bluetooth, you may have multiple devices like wireless keyboard, mouse, and headphones. Control Center saves you the time needed to open the full Bluetooth preference pane.
2. Easy to adjust sound
Audio levels may need to be constantly modified depending on your current task, whether listening to music, watching videos, or video conferencing. The Control Center sound slider means your workflow will never be interrupted.
Example:
Suppose you are on a video call and the app you are using has a low volume, you can use the Control Center to quickly increase the output sound so that you don't miss important information. Similarly, if a notification is too loud, you can turn down the volume in seconds.
3. Screen brightness adjustment
Adjusting screen brightness can be important for saving energy and reducing strain on your eyes. The Display setting in Control Center allows you to quickly brighten or dim your screen.
Example:
If you're working late at night and the room is dark, lowering the screen brightness can reduce eye strain. Conversely, in a bright environment, increasing the brightness helps ensure your screen is visible.
4. Using Focus Mode
Focus, which evolved from the Do Not Disturb feature, can be accessed from the Control Center. It lets you silence notifications, which can be useful during meetings or when working on tasks that require concentration.
Activating focus mode:
- Open Control Center.
- Click the crescent-shaped icon labeled Focus.
- Select the period for which you want to activate focus mode.
Programming controls via Control Center (hypothetical example)
Although Control Center configuration does not inherently involve coding, understanding its layout and widget settings can help developers streamline debugging and QA of applications by easily toggling applicable features.
Imagine you are building an app and you need to test functionality at different states of connectivity:
- You can easily turn Wi-Fi on and off to test the behavior of the app in offline and online mode.
- Use the AirDrop settings, toggling the visibility to find out how your application handles external data pushes.
Tips and tricks
Here are some additional tips for getting the most out of your Control Center on macOS Big Sur:
- Add controls to the menu bar: You can get even faster access to some controls by dragging them directly from Control Center to the menu bar. For example, if you change the volume often, dragging and dropping the sound slider to the menu bar saves another step.
- Keyboard shortcuts: While Control Center relies on clickable actions, familiarizing yourself with basic keyboard shortcuts for macOS can increase your overall efficiency.
- Focus mode: Customize Focus mode when you’re in a meeting or at a specific time of day through System Preferences > Notifications > Focus.
Conclusion
Control Center in macOS Big Sur provides a simple and organized way to manage your Mac's settings and controls. It serves as a quick-access hub, allowing for seamless transitions and adjustments throughout your workflow. With the ability to customize its contents and drag certain controls directly to your menu bar, macOS Big Sur's Control Center offers both practicality and a personal touch.
By taking the time to understand and customize Control Center, you can greatly enhance your everyday experience with your Mac, and ensure that your computing environment always seamlessly meets your personal and professional needs.
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