Custom Shortcuts on Mac: How to Open Any App or Folder

Mac has always been known for its intuitive mouse controls, but the keyboard is equally powerful. Using shortcuts can save you time and effort. However, not all tasks have keyboard shortcuts, and it can be challenging to remember them all. Luckily, BetterTouchTool offers a solution. With this app, you can create shortcuts for any action on your Mac.

Creating Custom Shortcuts

To start using BetterTouchTool, download and launch the app. You will see its icon on the menu bar. Click on it and select “Preferences”. From the toolbar, choose “Keyboard”.

Under “Scope”, you can select whether the action will be system-wide or limited to a specific application. For opening applications, choose “Global”.

Click on “Add a new shortcut or key sequence” and choose a combination of keys that are memorable and not already in use. For instance, you can use “Control+Shift+S” to launch Safari. Under “Activate predefined action”, choose “Open Application/File/Apple Script”. Then, navigate to the desired app.

Creating Custom Gestures

You can also use BetterTouchTool to launch folders and documents using gestures. Click on “Trackpads” in the toolbar and choose “Add a new gesture”. Select the number of fingers and the type of gesture you want to use. For instance, you can use a two-finger tap to the left to open the Applications folder.

BetterTouchTool offers a wide range of options for mouse controls, Siri remote, TouchBar, and more. The app has a free trial and costs £4 for a perpetual license.