Creating Keyboard Shortcuts To Launch Apps

[@meeluanistyn1644]

Absolutely fascinating. All I want now is a shortcut that will cook my dinner, serve it up then wash the dishes afterwards. I can but dream.

[@macmost]

My wife has that app. She calls it "Gary."

[@will.gallegos]

@@macmost OMG LOL 😂😂😂

[@MedleyWithMaddiE]

🤣🤣🤣

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

Very useful. You show the steps in a very understandable way too. Thanks!!!

[@beatkellermusic]

Great tutorial Gary, thank you! Is there a shortcut to open an extension on a selected photo within Apple Photos?

[@macmost]

Do you mean click the ... button and select an option for you? No, I don't think so.

[@beatkellermusic]

@@macmost Yes, I'm using the Pixelmator Pro- and Markup-extension quite a lot. I was looking to assign them to a keyboard command

[@l.kurdistani]

It doesn't work for me! I follow what you do, but no use!

[@sergeya]

Thanks for the tip. But I discovered that there apps that do not have Services menu. So those shortcuts do not work.

[@binface9]

Another excellent tutorial Gary. Lately I have been launching my apps with an AppleScript, but for common apps this is even easier. Have a great New Year

[@jimterrinoni6781]

Great job Gary! Even with the things I already use, you manage to clearly explain how your approach can tweak my “process” to make it better. More than another perspective, a more efficient and practical way to do things.

[@MarcoBotelhodeSousa]

Thank you so very much. That was quite helpful! Cheers.

[@libbeytds]

Thank you! I was recently looking for a way to utilize my spare function keys but couldn't figure out how. Very helpful!

[@gozzilla78]

This tutorial is a shortcut into Shortcuts, and to how to create a keyboard shortcut to run the shortcut you created in Shortcuts to launch Shortcuts. :)

[@harogaston]

The fact this needs a tutorial makes it clear what a crappy OS this is

[@SimplisticallyDigital]

Can I create a custom phrase for Siri to open an app using Shortcuts? For example, “check my sugar level” to open a glucose monitoring app?

[@macmost]

Do you mean on a Mac, or on an iPhone? Either way you should be able to speak the exact name of the Shortcut to Siri and it would run.

[@SimplisticallyDigital]

@@macmost On an iPhone. Awesome! I tried it and it worked! Such a simple solution. I appreciate it! 🌟

[@loisskiathitis8926]

Very useful and informative video tutorial today! Thank you, Gary! 👏🏻❤️

[@gustamrheza9347]

i dont have shortcuts on system settings services, thats weird

[@petersmith2960]

How to get control option i'm press the button but nothing is happening

[@tkzaizheli]

Good tutorial! I want a shortcut can close the app if it's already running, how do I do it?

[@macmost]

Search for the "Quit" action.

[@PhotonAD]

I'm having an issue where I set the keyboard shortcuts for the individual created shortcuts, but then they unbind for some reason. So I set them in shortcuts app but then when i try them they dont work and when I come back into the workflow for the shortcut it says it isn't assigned to a key (I'm trying to use F1 and F2). Anyone got a fix?

[@macmost]

It isn't just you. They are finicky. Just re-apply them.

[@andrewrosenberg7905]

is there a way to assign these shortcuts to a specific keyboard? ie, if I am using external keyboard A, I can use f1 to open mail; but on external keyboard B, f1 opens music...? Thanks, an great video!

[@macmost]

No. But some third-party apps, like Keyboard Maestro, can do that.

[@siamak1]

except I can not choose the app I want!

[@robertbutcher222]

Thanks for the video. I’ve made a couple shortcuts to launch a few apps at once. So far, I’ve been using spotlight to launch them, but I wanted to be lazier by using the keyboard 🙂. I have a question though. How do I keep one app in front and have the rest open behind it? I tried unchecking “move to front” for the “move window” block for all the apps in one of my shortcuts. I then checked “move to front” for the one I want in front, which is the first app I tell it to open. When I launch the shortcut, all the apps open, but as each app opens, it gets moved to the front. How can I fix this so one app stays in front, while the others open behind it?

[@macmost]

Just put the one you want in front as the last app to launch.

[@rasvud3014]

how can launch the Finder from this Shortcut app? there is no Finder in the list of apps. Or how can i launch Finder from keyboard without Shortcut app?

[@macmost]

Interesting problem. Finder is always running, of course, so it is a matter of switching to it. If you are trying to just do that in a Shortcut, I would recommend using Command+Tab instead (app switcher). But I suppose if you are doing a series of things and want to end with the Finder windows at the front, then it could be useful. There are probably several ways, but one that comes to mind is to use "Run Shell Script" with the code: open /System/Library/CoreServices/Finder.app

[@sougatthapa3842]

Hey Garry, so I did everything but it dosnt work if I am on an application that is not the shortcuts app or finder, is there a fix for this?

[@macmost]

Are you in Full Screen mode when you try?

[@michaelhyatt9711]

Is there a way to do this on an iPad? I don’t see this option in Shortcuts for iPadOS.

[@macmost]

I don't have a keyboard connected to my iPad at the moment, but I don't think you can set custom keyboard shortcuts for anything on iPadOS.

[@armonalan]

Hi Gary, First of all, sorry for my very bad English, I use a translation software on the net I have on macbook with os Mojave 10.14.6. I would like to have in the contextual menu of the right secondary click of the mouse, the items To Cut and To Paste in order to move of the text, the pictures, Files or Folders containing files either from one place to another or from one hdd to another one. I know that by holding down the Ctrl key, a fold-out menu opens or you can select "Copy" or "Paste". I also know that this can be done using keyboard shortcuts, such as Ctrl + C, or cmd + C and to paste, cmd + V. I tried to create it with Automator with the help of some tutorials find on the net. I do have the Cut and Paste lines that appear with a right mouse click in the Services menu, but it doesn't work. It does not copy anything and does not move anything. CUT SERVICE for f in "$@" do echo "$f" >> "/tmp/CACHE.txt" done PASTE SERVICE file="/tmp/CACHE.txt" if [[ -f $file ]] ; then while IFS= read -r line do mv "$line" "$1" done

[@veritas.ve.42]

Hi Gary. Is it possible to create battery related Automations / Shortcuts on a Mac please? I am specifically looking to create a shortcut where I can get the Mac to speak out battery percentages at various intervals, reminding me to charge the Mac at 30% and switch off the charger at 75% or 80% in order to prolong lithium battery life.

[@macmost]

No, on a Mac Shortcuts can't run automatically. There are third-party apps that will help with this if you really want it (Shortery).

[@veritas.ve.42]

@@macmost Thank you.

[@EstherLWarda]

SOOO!!! I had Apple on the phone for 1 HOUR trying to figure out how to make a shortcut key to open apps. We went thru Automator, System Settings, and Shortcuts. Then I got transferred to tier 2 support. After another 20 min, I said "Let me check MacMost" We were in a screen share. We watched this video together!! I had so many shortcuts created and never knew that keyboard shortcut existed!! We were BOTH SO HAPPY!! 😂😀🤪 Next time, before I call Apple, I'll check with you!! 🥰😍🤩😘

[@MaiElizabeth]

I've been thinking about creating keyboard shortcut to launch frequently used apps because to use spotlight search everytime is getting boring and tiring. Thanks for sharing this Gary.

[@Josephsasa]

Thank you

[@utnietje]

Thanks, I bought a new MacBook air finally and I didn’t like it first, because I found out that my ICloud account got a real big smack when my husband tried to share the cloud. He moved it back again but from then on I got trouble with the cloud. And now the Mac was soooooo slow, but I created a new iCloud ID and it worked. But now I have to set everything over to the new account. A lot of work but it was worth it. I’m not finished yet but the Mac runs smooth and I love your video’s. I will try everything you show. I am so glad that you are doing this. Don’t stop! ❤ Greetings from a Dutch girl.

[@bobcubsfan]

This is kind of late, but I want to create shortcuts that will launch a zoom meeting which is basically a URL. In Shortcuts when I add Open URL and then try to paste in the link, nothing happens. Once in while it will work but mostly not.????

[@macmost]

If it sometimes works then you have the code right, probably. Not sure why it sometimes doesn't work for you. Does it launch Safari like it should and then Safari triggers the Zoom app? Or does it fail to launch Safari? If you simply try it again does it then work?

[@bobcubsfan]

The action is Open URL. The URL expects text. I can type in text, but cannot paste text so it would be tough to type in a long Zoom URL and not make mistakes. @@macmost

[@pmbrig]

I've been using cmd-opt- to launch apps for many years. I don't use the number keys, I use alphabetic characters, easier to remember. For instance, cmd-opt-n to open Notes, cmd-opt-e to open email, cmd-opt-p to open Pages, etc.

[@razvanmihai4884]

Gary, this tutorial is excellent. I launch my apps by pressing Command+Space and typing the first two letters of the app's name. However, when I am in a hurry, I sometimes accidentally press the enter key too quickly when using apps with similar names like Calendar and Calculator. Your solution has solved this problem for me. Thank you so much.

[@peterash9375]

Gary i recently switched from Windows to MacOS and haven't looked back since. Things got even much better using DaVinci Resolve on the Macbook Pro. One of the reasons are your very very helpful tutorials. Thank you very much.

[@WienerWit]

Hey Gary, you’re awesome. I’m an English teacher in Turkey, and I have been using my MacBook in my classroom. I had to open all documents and apps one by one, then I created a shortcut to open Numbers, Freeform and our Book etc. But I had to open Shortcuts, find MacBook folder and start the shortcut but now ‘command + option + ç’ makes everything so fast! Best wishes from Turkey! ❤🎉

[@RyderCragie]

Nice way to make use of F13 - F19!

[@aftamohd]

is there a way if I can open these shortcuts on specific workspace/Desktop ? that would be awesome if this can work

[@macmost]

Depends on your settings. If you quit an app with windows/document open, and you don't have your Mac set to close windows when quitting apps, then the windows you used before will reopen right where they were before. If not, then when you launch the app a NEW window may be created. That will appear wherever you are at that time, since it is a new window and not related to the one you closed before.

[@aftamohd]

@@macmost Thank you !!!! I use xmonad on arch and we can bind apps to open in specific workspace so was thinking if this can happen on Mac too Thank you !!!! For the excellent video as always

[@Yoriichi_Tsugikuni___]

How can we link a shortcut to a certain app/ file ? Like when the file/app is open, the shortcut is executed ?

[@macmost]

You can't. Opening a file or app can't trigger a Shortcut. Instead, create a Shortcut that both launches the app or opens the file, and then also performs whatever other action you wanted.

[@Yoriichi_Tsugikuni___]

@@macmost oh noooo 😭 but thanks for answering that’s a good idea

[@carolinebarlow4795]

Thanks very much, Gary, for this extremely helpful video!

[@andreacramirezf]

how can I use that to open a specific file?

[@macmost]

Use the Open File Shortcut action.

[@danieldutch8621]

Very informative. Thank you for sharing.

[@peterwilliams6188]

Brilliant Gary - just what I needed. Thank you. Peter

[@timstubbe5585]

I tried to create a shortcut for an app.. MacGpt.. when I go to app on the "open app" position, I can not add MacGpt.. Is there a way to create a shortcut for an app not listed??

[@macmost]

You should be able to add any app. Maybe that is one that is just for the Menu Bar though?

[@timstubbe5585]

@@macmost Yeah, I was hoping to make a quick key for it.. but the menu works too

[@Freudenfreude111]

I needed help with what keyboard shortcuts are available so this helped a lot thanks

[@cerebrumexcrement]

fantastic. i was wondering what that shortcuts app was for.

[@zamalek1235]

So useful and well explained ! Thanks Gary

[@AppFanUAE]

amazing new things you teaching us thanks

[@georgee3401]

Excellent tutorial. Many thanks!

[@AnilAtluriWord]

Quite useful. Thank you Gary..

[@CanDoSo_org]

Thanks, But Why the icon does not change in my computer?

[@macmost]

What icon? Where? What are you doing, exactly?

[@CanDoSo_org]

Thanks, Gary. I saw your shortcuts for launch pages, numbers and keynotes have icons of pages, numbers and keynotes. But mine does not change to App icon, but the shortcut icon.@@macmost

[@macmost]

@@CanDoSo_org If you create the shortcut with just an action for that app, then it will get that icon.

[@josephchoi8622]

Hi Gary, Thank you for the tutorial! I did not know Macs had this many customizations. I have added the shortcut, but when it comes to the keyboard input, I cannot check Services Menu. Could you please explain how I can do this?

[@macmost]

Hard to say why it isn't working for you. Check how the Shortcut is set up and make sure it matches what I show.

[@a.h.m1365]

great video as always. Is there shortcut command to open specific file, let say I want shortcut to open Pages but open pages with file name x.pages ? or shortcut command to open safari with specific Tap Group? in short I'm trying to make workflow by shortcuts App

[@macmost]

Yes, you can open a file in Shortcuts, and also control Safari in some ways. Look though the actions for thees apps in Shortcuts and experiment.

[@aarondorcas]

Did anyone know how to use the Shortcuts app to open the Finder, since it is not an option in the app list.

[@macmost]

Finder is always Open. So what is your goal here? What is it you are trying to do?

[@aarondorcas]

@@macmost Hi, Gary. Thanks for ur reply. I am a new mac user and wondering a quick way (shortcut) to open the Finder, like CTRL+E in Windows to open the Windows Explorer. You say Finder is always open, I do always see Finder when press Command+Tab, while the Finder will not pop up if all available windows are closed.

[@macmost]

@@aarondorcas Use the App Switcher (Command+Tab) and switch to the Finder. If you have no windows open, use File, New Finder Window (Command+N). If you find yourself doing this often, then stop closing the Finder window in the first place. Leave it open. Then switching to the Finder will bring that Window up. Note you can also click on the Finder in the Dock, or click and hold the Finder in the Dock and select New Finder Window from the context menu. Another option is Option+Command+Space from almost any app. This switches to the Finder and brings up a search window, but you can then easily use the sidebar to go to a Favorite or other location.

[@clintondyckhoff4812]

Thank you Gary for all the time you spend on these tutorials. I wonder, is it possible to search your Mac operating system for keyboard shortcuts? I asked the question because let’s say you want to launch Safari and you might want to use control option B, for browser or something like that. Thank you in advance.

[@macmost]

There's no master list or way to search. It is a difficult problem because each app has its own code and there's no way for the system to examine the apps and figure out which shortcuts they are using.

[@desertpatient]

Thanks bunches

[@petersmith2960]

Well done thank you

[@bunce56]

Very, very useful.

[@theclown888]

Great!