If you’re juggling a million things and wish your to-do list was smarter, it’s time to give TickTick on Mac a try. This task manager blends simplicity with power, so whether you’re a productivity guru or an overwhelmed student, you’ll love what it can do. Let’s dive into the best tips and tricks to turn you into a TickTick Mac master.
TLDR
TickTick for Mac is a superb way to keep your tasks on track. Use keyboard shortcuts, smart lists, and focus modes to work smarter. Customize the app to fit your style, and don’t forget to explore filters and widgets. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you managed without it!
1. Get Cozy with Keyboard Shortcuts
Using your mouse is fine, but shortcuts make everything faster. TickTick for Mac has loads of them that can save you time with just a few key presses.
- Cmd + N – Create a new task
- Cmd + Shift + A – Quick Add task anywhere
- Cmd + 1, 2, 3… – Switch between Inbox, Today, Tomorrow, etc.
- Cmd + Shift + E – Open the calendar view
Play around with them. In a week, you won’t want to go back!
2. Split Up Your Work Using Lists
Don’t dump everything into one place. That gets messy fast.
Create different lists for different parts of your life:
- Work – for your job tasks
- Personal – groceries, errands, books to read
- Side Projects – if you’re building anything fun in your spare time
Color-code them too! You’ll spot things faster and feel more organized.
3. Use Tags to Work Smarter
Tags are your secret weapon.
Say you’ve got calls to make in both your personal and work lists. Tag each task with #call. Then, click the tag and boom – all your calls, grouped together!
Other smart tags? Try:
- #email for things you need to reply to
- #urgent to keep track of top priorities
- #delegated for things you’re waiting on
4. Schedule Like a Pro
When you add a task, don’t forget to set a due date and a reminder. That way, you won’t forget—TickTick will do the nudging for you.
If you have a repeating task, set it just once! TickTick can repeat tasks daily, weekly, monthly—even custom schedules like “every 3rd Thursday.”
Also, don’t ignore the Time Duration feature. It helps you plan realistically. A 2-hour task shouldn’t be squeezed into a 15-minute time slot!
5. Discover the Calendar View
This is where magic happens. Click the little calendar icon or press Cmd + Shift + E.
You’ll see your tasks laid out by day and time. Drag and drop tasks into time blocks to plan your day or week.
This is also great for visual thinkers. You’ll instantly notice overloads or empty spots in your schedule.
6. Activate Focus with the Pomodoro Timer
TickTick has a built-in Pomodoro timer. Yes, really!
Click the little tomato at the top right. Start a timer for 25 minutes, and it’ll help you stay in the zone. After 4 rounds, you’ll get a longer break.
You can even look at your focus statistics to see how many minutes you’ve crushed each day. Game-ify your productivity!
7. Create Smart Lists
Smart Lists auto-sort your tasks according to rules you set.
Want a list that shows only tasks with #urgent and due today? You can do that! 🎉
Steps:
- Click your profile photo → Smart Lists
- Click + Add Smart List
- Select your conditions
Voila! An auto-updating list that always shows just what you need.
8. Try Filtering by Priority
Each task can be tagged with a priority: High, Medium, Low, or No priority.
Then you can filter your views to focus on what matters most.
A good tip? Start your day by filtering for High Priority tasks. Knock them out and feel accomplished before lunch!
9. Use Widgets on macOS Desktop
If you’re on macOS Big Sur or later, add TickTick to your desktop widgets.
You’ll see Today’s tasks at a glance without opening the app. This is perfect if you’re the forgetful type.
To do this:
- Open your Notification Center
- Click Edit Widgets
- Search for TickTick
- Add your favorite view (Today, Task Count, etc.)
10. Sync Across All Devices
One more trick—TickTick will sync across Mac, iPhone, iPad, browser, and even Apple Watch. Log in once, and your task list follows you everywhere.
Make a change on Mac, and it updates instantly on your phone. Super handy on the go!
11. Notes Inside Tasks? Yes, Please
Click on any task to open the detail view.
Here, you can add:
- Notes – jot down ideas or outlines
- Sub-tasks – break a big goal into smaller steps
- Attachments – add files or photos
This turns a single to-do into a mini project hub.
12. Custom Themes for a Personalized Touch
TickTick has several themes. Why stare at a boring white screen if you don’t have to?
Change it up by going to Settings → Appearance and selecting a theme that suits your mood. Aesthetic vibes = happier productivity!
13. Backup and Export—Just in Case
Click on your avatar → Backup & Restore.
This lets you set backups automatically. Accidentally delete something? You’re covered.
Bonus: You can export tasks as CSV if you need to share your tasks or move to another platform (but let’s be real—you won’t want to 😉).
14. Take Advantage of Premium (If You Need It)
While TickTick has a great free version, Premium unlocks useful extras like:
- Task durations and calendar time-blocking
- More smart lists and filters
- Advanced statistics
If you’re managing a lot and want more control, it might be worth it.
Final Thoughts
TickTick for Mac is more than just a to-do list. It’s a full-on productivity system that can help tame the chaos.
Practice with some of these tricks each day, and soon you’ll be checking off tasks like a pro—without the stress.
Now, go get stuff done 🧠✨