Every time I get a new Mac, I start fresh—and these are the 35 apps I always install first, including on the new M4 MacBook Air! From video editing and automation to creative tools and daily productivity, here’s the full breakdown of my essential Mac setup.
🎙️ My tech podcast, Primary Technology:
https://www.youtube.com/@PrimaryTechShow
🖼️ Waterways Wallpaper
https://basicappleguy.com/basicappleblog/waterways
⭐️ Join the Shortcuts community and support this channel!
https://create.beard.fm
💻 Get the Apps
Final Cut
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/final-cut-pro/id424389933?mt=12&uo=4
Compressor
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/compressor/id424390742?mt=12&uo=4
Creator’s Best Friend
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/creators-best-friend/id1524172135?mt=12&uo=4
Gling ai
https://www.gling.ai/
Audio Hijack
https://rogueamoeba.com/audiohijack/
CleanShot X
https://cleanshot.com
Shareshot
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/frame-screenshots-shareshot/id6474271573?uo=4
Bear
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bear-markdown-notes/id1091189122?mt=12&uo=4
iZotope
https://www.izotope.com/en/products/rx.html
Pixelmator Pro
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pixelmator-pro/id1289583905?mt=12&uo=4
Pastebot
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pastebot/id1179623856?mt=12&uo=4
Hazel
https://www.noodlesoft.com
Transcriptionist
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/transcriptionist/id6447059405?uo=4
Things 3
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/things-3/id904280696?mt=12&uo=4
Fantastical
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/fantastical-calendar/id975937182?mt=12&uo=4
Screens 5
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/screens-5-vnc-remote-desktop/id1663047912?uo=4
TextExpander
https://textexpander.com
Shortcuts Actions
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/actions/id1586435171?uo=4
Toolbox Pro
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/toolbox-pro-for-shortcuts/id1476205977
Data Jar
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/data-jar/id1453273600?uo=4
Brave
https://brave.com
Callsheet
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/callsheet-find-cast-crew/id1672356376
Pastel
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pastel/id413897608?uo=4
OverPicture
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/overpicture-for-safari/id1188020834?uo=4
Magic Lasso
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ad-blocker-magic-lasso/id1198047227?mt=12&uo=4
Transloader
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/transloader/id572281534?mt=12&uo=4
Crossaint
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/croissant-cross-posting/id6670288979?uo=4
Reeder
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reeder-classic/id1529448980?mt=12
Ivory
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ivory-for-mastodon-by-tapbots/id6444602274
Notion
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/notion-web-clipper/id1559269364?mt=12&uo=4
Slack
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/slack-for-desktop/id803453959?mt=12&uo=4
Secret Link
https://beard.fm/blog/download-any-video-with-downie
🏠 Full List of My Smart Home Devices
https://beard.fm/homekit
💻 Final Cut Plugins and Effects from MotionVFX
https://mvfx.co/StephenRobles
🌎 Follow me on:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenrobles.com
Threads: https://threads.net/@stephenrobles
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephenrobles
Chapters ➡
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Final Cut Pro
01:00 Compressor
01:19 Creator’s Best Friend
01:40 Gling.ai
01:58 Audio Hijack
02:17 CleanShot X
02:43 ShareShot
03:11 Bear
03:30 iZotope RX10
03:55 Pixelmator Pro
04:31 Pastebot
04:55 Hazel
06:05 Transcriptionist
06:51 Things 3
07:24 ChatGPT
08:04 TextExpander
08:34 Shortcuts Apps
08:48 Brave
09:24 Callsheet
09:45 Pastel
10:03 OverPicture
10:24 Magic Lasso
10:44 Crossaint
11:04 Ivory
11:15 Notion
11:34 MotionVFX
🛒 My Film Gear:
Sony A7 IV (Main Camera)
https://geni.us/PA1Qd (Amazon)
Sigma 35mm (Main Lens)
https://geni.us/YqQpgtx (Amazon)
Sennhesier MKH416 (Video Mic)
https://geni.us/VxF1g (Amazon)
Aputure Amaran 200x (Key Light)
https://geni.us/2KY3GV (Amazon)
Light Dome III (Soft Box)
https://geni.us/Rt08x (Amazon)
Earthworks Ethos (Podcast Mic)
https://geni.us/X7xC (Amazon)
Podcast Mic Arm
https://geni.us/5ydF0HM (Amazon)
Sony a6400 (Top Down Camera)
https://geni.us/VOyRX (Amazon)
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 (Top Down Lens)
https://geni.us/lkuYqbH (Amazon)
Elgato Key Light Air (Fill and Hair Lights)
https://geni.us/UetzsS (Amazon)
ATEM Mini Pro (My Switcher)
https://geni.us/Dgiymx2 (Amazon)
Rodecaster PRO II (Powers All Mics)
https://geni.us/uMHZGgi (Amazon)
Sound Devices MixPre-3 (Travel Sound Gear)
https://geni.us/Nb6A4zo (Amazon)
DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Other links to third-party products and services may also be affiliate links.