Getting a new MacBook was exciting, but I soon found myself staring at a bunch of icons I didn’t recognize. It took me a while to figure out what each app did, and I want to save you that time by sharing what I’ve learned. Whether you’re new to Mac or just curious about the apps that come with your device, this guide will walk you through all of them. I’ll explain what each app does and how it can help you get the most out of your MacBook.
Before We Begin
With so many apps pre-installed on your MacBook Air or Pro, it’s easy for your device to become cluttered and slow. Download MacKeeper to keep your Mac clean by removing unnecessary files and optimizing performance, ensuring your pre-installed apps run smoothly and your Mac stays fast and efficient.
Tried and Tested ✅: The methods and steps mentioned in this article have been tried and tested firsthand by Ojash Yadav on his MacBook Pro M3 and rechecked for errors on Hashir’s MacBook Air M2.
What Software Comes With MacBook Air/Pro?
The MacBook Air/Pro comes with a pre-installed software bundle that includes various applications and utilities. Here is a list of built-in apps that come with every MacBook:
| Software | Description |
|---|---|
| macOS | The latest operating system for Mac is macOS Sequoia. |
| Siri | A virtual assistant that provides voice-activated assistance. |
| Safari | The default web browser found in all Apple products. |
| The default email client for managing your emails. | |
| FaceTime | An app for video and audio communication with other Apple device users. |
| Messages | A messaging app for text-based communication with other Apple device users. |
| Maps | Apple’s navigational system for finding directions and exploring locations. |
| Books | An app for accessing and reading PDFs and books from the Apple Book Store. |
| Stocks | Provides basic information about stocks and financial markets. |
| Home | An app for controlling home appliances and smart devices from your Mac. |
| Voice Memos | A tool for recording voice conversations and audio notes. |
| Notes | A note-taking app for organizing and managing your digital notes. |
| Calendar | Helps with scheduling and managing events and appointments. |
| Contacts | Keeps all your contact information in one place for easy access. |
| Reminders | A simple to-do app for creating and managing tasks and reminders. |
| Photo Booth | An app that emulates a regular photo booth experience, allowing you to take photos and apply fun effects. |
| Preview | A tool for viewing and editing images and PDF files. |
| Time Machine | A free backup tool for Mac that allows you to easily restore your system and files. |
| App Store | An online marketplace where you can download approved applications for your Mac. |
| Music | Replaced iTunes and serves as a media player and library for managing and enjoying music. |
| Podcast | An app for listening to podcasts and exploring a wide range of audio content. |
| Apple TV | Allows you to watch your favorite shows and movies on your Mac. |
Tip📁: You can customize the Dock by dragging and dropping apps you use frequently. It helps keep things tidy and makes launching apps quicker.
Software Included With MacBook Air and Pro
Let’s see what software comes with MacBook and what each of these software does.
1. Latest macOS
Every MacBook Air and MacBook Pro comes with the latest version of macOS, Apple’s powerful operating system. The latest macOS version brings a host of improvements, including enhanced performance, new features, and increased security.
With regular updates and a user-friendly interface, macOS ensures a seamless and enjoyable user experience.
Apple introduces a new macOS version annually, and traditionally, these updates have been designed to work with all previously released Mac models. However, with the introduction of Mojave, Apple implemented certain limitations, preventing it from being installed on some of the oldest Macs.
It is reasonable to anticipate similar restrictions in future macOS releases. So, if you own an older Mac, verify its compatibility with the latest operating system using a macOS compatibility checker before attempting an upgrade.
💻 While Apple includes the latest macOS version on new MacBook Air and Pro models, make sure your device stays compatible with future updates. Older Mac models may face limitations with the newest macOS versions, so it’s wise to check compatibility before upgrading.
2. Siri
Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, is integrated into the macOS ecosystem. By simply speaking to your MacBook Air or Pro, you can use Siri to perform a variety of tasks, such as launching applications, searching the web, sending messages, setting reminders, and much more.
Siri’s natural language processing capabilities make it an invaluable tool for streamlining your workflow and accessing information quickly.
Siri can control the Mac and its connected devices. For example, you can instruct Siri to disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, adjust the volume, send messages, set alarms, take selfies, and more.
Additionally, Siri serves as a source of entertainment when boredom strikes. It can share jokes, locate specific music for your listening pleasure, or provide news updates upon request.
3. Safari
The default web browser on macOS, Safari, offers a fast and secure browsing experience. Safari is known for its speed, energy efficiency, and advanced privacy features. It supports tabbed browsing, Reader mode for distraction-free reading, and intelligent tracking prevention to safeguard your online privacy.
🌐 If you’re not a fan of Safari, you can easily download and use other browsers like Chrome or Firefox. Just make sure to set them as your default in the settings!
4. Mail
The Mail app on MacBook Air and Pro provides a comprehensive email management solution. It supports popular email services such as iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, and Microsoft Exchange.
With a clean interface and powerful search capabilities, Mail makes it easy to organize and respond to emails, as well as manage multiple accounts simultaneously.
5. FaceTime
Another software included with MacBook is FaceTime, Apple’s video and audio calling app. With FaceTime, you can make high-quality video calls to other Apple device users around the world.
FaceTime is a convenient way to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues, whether you’re using a MacBook Air or Pro. It also offers the convenience of connecting to your iPhone, enabling you to initiate standard phone calls.
6. Messages
The Messages app on macOS enables seamless communication with other Apple device users via text messages, photos, videos, and audio messages.
It also supports features such as group messaging, read receipts, and the ability to send and receive messages from your iPhone. If you get bothered by too many notification, you can easily turn off iMessage on Mac.
7. Books
The Books app serves as a digital library, allowing you to access and read eBooks, audiobooks, and PDFs on your MacBook Air or Pro. It provides a user-friendly reading experience with features like bookmarks, highlights, and a customizable reading interface.
If you are a frequent buyer from the Book Store, your purchased books will automatically appear in the Books app across various Apple devices, including MacBook Pro. However, if you prefer using Amazon for your reading needs, the Books app may be unnecessary.
8. Stocks
The Stocks app provides real-time financial information and market data, allowing you to track stocks, indices, and currencies. It allows you to stay informed about market trends and manage your investments conveniently on your MacBook.
The Stocks app also offers price charts with various ranges for a comprehensive analysis. However, the Stocks app is primarily designed to cater to the needs of average investors, offering basic functionality. Serious investors may find the app lacking in terms of advanced features and capabilities.
9. Home App
If you have smart home devices, the Home app on macOS allows you to control and manage them from your MacBook Air or Pro. Whether it’s adjusting the thermostat, turning on lights, or checking security cameras, the Home app provides a central hub for all your smart home needs.
If you don’t have any smart home devices, this app may not be useful for you.
10. Voice Memos
The Voice Memos app lets you record audio notes, lectures, interviews, or any other audio content on your MacBook. It offers basic editing features and synchronization with your other Apple devices, ensuring that your voice memos are accessible across all your devices.
11. Notes
Another software included with MacBook Air/Pro is Notes. It is a versatile app for creating and organizing text-based content, checklists, and multimedia attachments. It supports formatting options, the ability to add images and drawings, and seamless syncing across your Apple devices.
Whether you want to store a recipe or create a to-do list, Notes provides a platform to fulfill these needs. While it may not be the most exceptional app, it offers some useful features.
For instance, you can attach various media types like pictures, videos, and even locations from Maps to your notes. Notes also includes a collaboration feature, allowing you to share a note with multiple individuals and collaborate together.
12. Calendar
The Calendar app keeps you organized and on schedule. It allows you to manage events, set reminders, and integrate with other services like iCloud, Google Calendar, and Microsoft Exchange.
With Calendar, you can efficiently manage your personal and professional commitments. If you wish to include a location from Maps in your calendar event, it is possible to do so. You can also send and receive invites via the Calendar app.
Moreover, the Calendar app seamlessly integrates with your Mail app, allowing you to conveniently view all your meetings and appointments from various Mail accounts in a single location.
You also also color-code your calendars to easily identify events related to different categories such as family, work, or other personal distinctions.
13. Contacts
The Contacts app acts as a digital address book, enabling you to store and manage your contacts. It provides easy access to contact information, supports custom fields, and allows for synchronization with other services, making it a convenient tool for keeping your contacts up to date.
But if you prefer keeping your contacts in your phone like me, you may not need this app.
14. Reminders
The Reminders app helps you stay on top of tasks and deadlines. Whether it’s creating simple to-do lists or setting location-based reminders, Reminders ensures you never forget an important task.
15. Photo Booth
Photo Booth is a fun app that allows you to take photos and videos using your MacBook’s built-in camera. It provides various effects and filters to add creativity to your photos and videos, making it an enjoyable tool for capturing memories.
Although MacBooks primarily serve as tools for work and study, there are times when we all desire some leisure and enjoyment. In such instances, Photo Booth proves to be an incredibly entertaining application.
16. Preview
Preview is a versatile software included with MacBook for viewing and editing images and PDF documents. It allows you to annotate, crop, and rotate images, as well as merge, sign, and mark up PDF files.
Preview is a lightweight yet powerful tool for managing your visual content. The best thing about Preview is that it retains a record of modifications made to an image, even after closing the application.
PDF annotations are another valuable aspect where Preview proves to be useful. You can easily add text, signatures, and even shapes to any PDF document with Preview.
17. Time Machine
Time Machine is a built-in backup solution that automatically creates backups of your MacBook’s data. You can use Time Machine to restore files, folders, or even your entire system to a previous state, providing peace of mind in case of data loss or system issues.
Having a backup of your MacBook data is crucial. Unforeseen events such as viruses, system crashes, or accidental deletion of documents can occur, and in many cases, the most effective and only solution is to restore your MacBook to a previous state using the Time Machine device.
18. Apple Music
Previously, iTunes served as the default audio and video player included with every MacBook. However, with the introduction of macOS Catalina, iTunes underwent a split into multiple applications, and Apple Music succeeded the role previously fulfilled by iTunes.
Now, within the Apple Music app, you have access to the Apple Music Store, where you can purchase music and rent movies. You can also become a subscriber to Apple Music and manage your subscriptions conveniently within the app.
19. Apple TV
Another app that branched out of iTunes is Apple TV. The Apple TV app is a multimedia streaming application that serves as a centralized hub for accessing a wide range of video content, including movies, TV shows, and original programming.
With the Apple TV app, you can browse and watch content from popular streaming services, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. It offers a seamless and unified viewing experience by integrating content from multiple sources into a single interface.
In addition to streaming services, the Apple TV app provides access to Apple’s own content, including exclusive TV shows and movies produced for the Apple TV+ subscription service. You can also rent or purchase movies and TV shows directly from the app.
20. Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts is another branch of iTunes. It is a podcast platform that allows you to discover, subscribe to, and listen to podcasts on various Apple devices.
Podcasts are digital audio or video recordings that cover a wide range of topics, including news, entertainment, education, storytelling, and more. Apple Podcasts provides a vast library of podcasts from around the world, featuring independent creators and established media organizations.
With Apple Podcasts, users can explore different podcast genres, search for specific shows or topics, and subscribe to their favorite podcasts. Subscribing to a podcast ensures new episodes are automatically downloaded or streamed to the your device.
21. App Store
The App Store is your gateway to a wide range of applications designed specifically for macOS. From productivity tools to creative software, the App Store offers a diverse selection of apps that can enhance your MacBook experience.
While you can get apps from vendor websites, I recommend using the App Store as your primary source for downloading apps. Apple maintains rigorous standards for apps hosted in their stores, ensuring a minimum level of security by guaranteeing they are free from viruses.
Another notable benefit of using the App Store is the streamlined process of app updates. You can configure the app to install updates automatically, similar to how you configure operating system updates.
22. iLife Apps
iLife Apps refer to a suite of multimedia applications developed by Apple. The iLife suite typically includes three core apps: GarageBand, iMovie, and iPhoto (which has been replaced by the Photos app in recent macOS versions).
These applications are designed to cater to the creative needs of users, allowing them to engage in music creation, video editing, and photo management.
a. GarageBand
GarageBand is a powerful music creation software that provides a wide range of virtual instruments, loops, and audio effects. It enables you to compose, record, and produce your own music tracks, podcasts, and soundtracks.
GarageBand offers a user-friendly interface and is suitable for both beginners and experienced musicians. With the iLife app GarageBand, everything you need is right at your fingertips. Simply open the application, choose an instrument that resonates with you, and press the notes that capture your imagination. It’s as simple as that.
b. iMovie
iMovie is a user-friendly video editing application that allows you to create professional-looking movies and videos. It provides features such as video trimming, transitions, titles, special effects, and audio editing.
With iMovie, you can import video clips, photos, and music, and arrange them into a cohesive visual narrative.
23. iWork Apps
The iWork suite includes three productivity apps: Pages, Numbers, and Keynote. These apps are compatible with Microsoft Office formats, making them a suitable choice for both personal and professional use.
a. Pages
Pages is a word processor for creating documents on Mac. This is like Apple’s take on Microsoft Word.
b. Numbers
Numbers is a spreadsheet application for handling data and calculations. It is an alternate for MS Excel.
c. Keynote
Keynote is a presentation software for designing stunning slideshows, just like MS PowerPoint.
Warning ⚠️: Be careful when deleting pre-installed apps from your MacBook. Some apps are tied to the system and removing them could cause issues. Stick to customizing your Dock instead of deleting.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what software is included with your MacBook, you may want to learn how to get the most out of these apps. Here are a few tips for you:
- If your Safari is crashing, learn how to clear browser cache on Safari to prevent it from crashing.
- Learn how to create a backup using Time Machine to keep your data from getting lost.
- If it gets too cluttered, you can easily delete FaceTime calls on your Mac and prevent performance issues.
