Navigating macOS using the trackpad and keyboard shortcuts is generally fast, but there is an even faster way to trigger common system actions without clicking a single button or remembering a complex key combination. macOS includes a deeply hidden feature called “Hot Corners.”
When enabled, Hot Corners turn the four extreme corners of your Mac’s screen into invisible buttons. Simply slamming your mouse cursor into the top-right corner of the screen can instantly lock your computer, while flicking it to the bottom-left can reveal your desktop or launch Mission Control. It is one of the most powerful productivity features on the Mac, yet many users do not know it exists.
This guide explains how to enable and customize Hot Corners on your Mac.
How to Access Hot Corners Settings
Apple has moved the location of this setting several times over the years. In modern versions of macOS (Ventura, Sonoma, and later), it is buried within the Desktop settings.
- Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
- Select System Settings.
- In the left-hand sidebar, scroll down and click on Desktop & Dock.
- Scroll all the way down to the very bottom of the right-hand pane.
- Click the button labeled Hot Corners…
How to Customize Your Corners
A dialog box will appear representing your screen, with four drop-down menus corresponding to the four corners of your display.
- Click the drop-down menu for the corner you want to activate (e.g., the top-right corner).
- Select an action from the list. The most popular and useful options include:
- Lock Screen: Instantly secures your Mac when you walk away from your desk.
- Desktop: Immediately sweeps all open windows off the screen so you can grab a file from your desktop. (Flicking back to the corner brings the windows back).
- Mission Control: Shows all open windows across all your apps at once.
- Quick Note: Brings up a small notepad to instantly jot down a phone number or thought.
- Repeat this process for any other corners you want to use. (You do not have to use all four; many people only use one or two to avoid accidental triggers).
- Click Done.
Pro Tip: How to Prevent Accidental Triggers
The biggest complaint new users have with Hot Corners is triggering them by accident when reaching for a menu or trying to close a window. You can easily solve this by adding a “modifier key.”
While the Hot Corners dialog box is open, hold down the Command (⌘), Option (⌥), or Shift (⇧) key on your keyboard while clicking a drop-down menu.
The action will now list the symbol next to it (e.g., ⌘ Lock Screen). This means throwing your mouse into the corner will do absolutely nothing unless you are physically holding down the Command key at the same time. This gives you all the speed of Hot Corners with zero accidental activations.