How to Open apps using a variety of methods

Use Finder

To open apps in Finder, simply click the Finder icon in the Dock (it’s always there, on the left), then click Applications in the sidebar — if this is hidden, go to Finder > Preferences > Sidebar — and double-click an app icon.

Use aliases

For fast access to an app, create a shortcut to it. Hold Opt+Cmd and drag the app icon to your desktop or a folder; the arrow on the pointer shows it will create an alias when you let go. To open the app, double-click the alias.

Ask Siri

Click Siri’s icon in the Dock or menu bar and enable Ask Siri. Now click either icon again or hold down Cmd+space to open Siri and try saying commands, such as “Launch Mail.” You can disable Siri in System Preferences.

Apps in the Dock

The Dock provides single-click access to your favorite apps. To tell your Mac to keep an app there, Ctrlclick the app’s icon and pick Options > Keep in Dock. You can drag any app’s icon from Finder straight into the Dock.

Launchpad

Launchpad works like an iPhone’s Home screen. Click its icon in the Dock or use Spotlight to open its icon grid, then click the app you want. You can drag icons to rearrange them across multiple pages and in folders.

Make a service

Open Automator and create a new Service document. Change the “Service receives” item to “no input.” Drag Launch Application from the left to the right pane. Select your app in the pop-up, and press Cmd+S to save.

Use Spotlight

You can use Spotlight to search for apps wherever they are on your Mac and open them. Press Cmd+space to reveal its search bar, then type an app’s name. Use the arrow keys to select the app; press Return to open it.

Open With

Double-clicking a file opens the app set as default for that type of file — to set this, Ctrl-click it, select Get Info, pick an app under Open with, and click Change All. To open a file in a different app, Ctrl-click and use Open With.

Assign a key combo

Name your Service, and press Cmd+C to copy the name. Go to System Preferences > Keyboards > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts. Click +, paste the name, click the shortcut box, and press your desired key combo. Finally, click Save.