If this all sounds like Greek to you, don’t worry! It’s probably because you’re unfamiliar with the concept of digital automation. A quick explanation of digital automation Automator has the benefit of being simple and free, though, which is ideal for most users. I highlighted one in my recent Best June Apps For iOS and macOS post, Keyboard Maestro, that I recommend for more advanced automation fiends.

I do feel I should mention that there are plenty of other automation tools for macOS that are better than Automator. It’s a great tool for saving time and also adding functionality to your Mac that might not otherwise be there. So you can use it for things like changing system settings, managing your files, and adding keyboard shortcuts to your Mac. The difference between Automator and these other digital automation apps is that Automator is integrated with macOS. If you have any familiarity with apps like IFTTT or Shortcuts on iOS, or even services like Zapier and Integromat, then you more or less already know how Automator works. The Automator app on Mac is an app that allows you to create automated workflows. So disregard any comments in this article about Shortcuts replacing Automator – for now, it looks like you’ll have both in macOS Monterey. However, it looks like both apps will be simultaneously supported.

Note: When I initially wrote this article, I was under the impression that the Shortcuts app coming to macOS Monterey would be replacing the Automator app on Mac. In this post, I want to raise some awareness for this great app and encourage you guys to start trying automation out! I’ll cover what Automator is, how it works, go through its basic components, and even give you a short tutorial on automating the Light/Dark Mode on your Mac. But for whatever reason, Automator continued to slip under my radar until recently. I’ve had a ton of experience on platforms like Zapier and Integromat. Lately, though, I’ve been sinking my teeth into the Automator app. And that was to create a global keyboard shortcut on my Mac for getting a word count. I’ve owned a Mac for about three years now and for a long time had only ever interacted with this app once. Today, we’re going to talk about what might be the most under-used app on Mac (aside from Photo Booth): The Automator app.

How to uninstall automator mac