Updated: May 22, 2025

21 Tips and Tricks For macOS Sequoia 15.5: Hidden Features, Unlock Your MacBook’s Full Potential

Apple released macOS Sequoia 15.5 on 12 May, and it’s packed with updates to make your Mac smoother, safer, and smarter. Whether you’re a student, parent, or just love exploring new tech, these 21 tips will help you get the most out of your device.

From hidden Mail app tricks to important security fixes, we’ll break down everything you need to know in details. For a full overview of what’s new, check out our detailed macOS Sequoia 15.5 Review. Let’s dive in!

Mail App Improvements

1: Find the “All Mail” Button Faster

In the Mail app, the “All Mail” button used to be hidden behind a menu. Now, it’s easier to access! Just click the three dots (•••) in the top-right corner of your inbox, and select “All Mail” to see every email in one place.

Why it matters: No more digging through menus to find old emails!

2: Turn On Contact Photos

Want to see profile pictures of your contacts in emails? Click the three dots (•••) > “Show Contact Photos”. This makes your inbox more visual and helps you recognize senders quickly.

Pro Tip: If photos don’t show up, ask your contacts to add a photo to their Apple ID.

3: Understand Email Categories

The Mail app now explains what “Primary,” “Transactions,” and “Promotions” mean. Click “About Categories” under the three-dot menu to see a simple guide.

Example:

  • Primary: Personal emails from friends or family.
  • Promotions: Discounts or ads from stores.

System Settings & Display Fixes

4: Redesigned Apple Care & Warranty Section

Go to System Settings > General > Apple Care & Warranty to see a cleaner layout. The new “Get Support” button connects you directly to Apple’s help team.

Note: This section loads slower because it uses a web page instead of a built-in design.

5: Fix Text Cutoff on 1080p Displays

If words like “Apple Intelligence” looked cut off on your monitor, macOS 15.5 fixes this! The sidebar now adjusts automatically to fit all text.

How to check: Connect your Mac to a 1080p display and open System Settings > Apple Intelligence.

6: Avoid Pro Display Calibrator Crashes

Own a 14-inch or 16-inch M4 MacBook Pro? A bug caused screens to reboot when calibrating colors. Update to 15.5 to fix this!

Steps to calibrate:

  1. Go to System Settings > Displays > Color Profile.
  2. Select “Calibrate” and follow the instructions.

Parental Controls

7: Get Alerts If Screen Time Passcodes Are Guessed

Parents, rejoice! If someone guesses your child’s Screen Time passcode, you’ll get a notification.

How to set up:

  1. On your child’s Mac, go to System Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Enable “Share Across Devices” and link your Apple ID.

Security & Enterprise Updates

8: Stay Safe With 39 Security Patches

Apple fixed 39 vulnerabilities, including issues with Wi-Fi, FaceTime, and ProRes files. Keep your Mac secure by updating today!

Key Fixes:

  • Kernel Memory Corruption: Prevents hackers from crashing your system.
  • Safari Exploits: Stops malicious websites from stealing data.

9: Enterprise DHCP v6 Support

Businesses can now use DHCP v6, a newer internet protocol that improves network management.

Why it matters: Faster, more reliable connections for office Macs.

10: Say Goodbye to Apple Filing Protocol (AFP)

Apple deprecated AFP, an old file-sharing system. Switch to SMB (Server Message Block) for better compatibility.

How to check:

  1. Open Finder > Go > Connect to Server.
  2. If your server uses afp://, ask your IT team to update it to smb://.

Hardware & Compatibility

11: Fix Browser VPNs (Like Opera)

VPNs in browsers like Opera now work properly. Before, they’d disconnect randomly.

How to test:

  1. Open your browser’s settings.
  2. Turn on the VPN and visit whatsmyip.com to check your location.

12: Use Mice Without Extra Software

Some mice (like Logitech) required apps like Mouse Glide to work. Now, they connect natively!

Performance & Storage

13: Fix Custom Wallpaper Crashes

Creating custom wallpapers with solid colors no longer freezes your Mac.

Try this:

  1. Go to System Settings > Wallpaper.
  2. Pick a color and adjust the slider to see gradients.

14: Manage Apple Intelligence Storage

Apple Intelligence uses 10–12 GB of space. Free up storage by deleting unused features:

  1. Go to System Settings > General > Storage.
  2. Click “Apple Intelligence” > “Delete Data”.

15: Check Battery Health

Worried about battery life? macOS 15.5 shows your battery’s maximum capacity.

Steps:

  1. Open System Settings > Battery.
  2. Look under “Battery Health” for “Normal” status.

For more tips on extending battery life, our macOS Sequoia 15.5 Reviewcovers performance tweaks.

For Unsupported Macs

16: Use Open Core Legacy Patcher 2.4.0

Got an older Mac? Install macOS 15.5 with Open Core Legacy Patcher (OCLP).

Warning: Backup your data first!

Miscellaneous Tips

17: Update Apps Post-Install

After updating to 15.5, check the App Store for app updates to avoid crashes.

How:

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Click “Updates” in the sidebar.

18: Find Your macOS Build Number

Troubleshooting an issue? Developers need your build number.

Steps:

  1. Click the Apple logo > About This Mac.
  2. Click “macOS Sequoia 15.5” to see the build code (e.g., 24F74).

19: Turn Off Automatic Updates (Unsupported Macs)

If you’re using OCLP, disable automatic updates to avoid breaking your system:

  1. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
  2. Click the ℹ️ icon and toggle off “Automatically Update”.

20: Explore New Developer Features

The Apple Developer app added a splash screen teasing WWDC 2025.

Fun fact: WWDC is where Apple announces new macOS versions!

21: Check Firmware Versions

Apple Silicon Macs got a firmware update (101 → 121). Verify yours:

  1. Click the Apple logo > About This Mac > System Report.
  2. Under “Hardware”, look for “Boot ROM Version”.

Quick Reference Table

Category Tips Key Benefit
Mail App 1–3 Faster email organization
System Settings 4–6 Smoother navigation & display fixes
Parental Controls 7 Enhanced child safety
Security 8–10 Protection from hackers
Hardware 11–12 Better device compatibility
Performance 13–15 Improved speed & storage management
Unsupported Macs 16 Access new features on old devices
Miscellaneous 17–21 Optimize your Mac’s setup

FAQ: macOS Sequoia 15.5

1. Why am I getting notifications about my child’s Screen Time passcode?

Answer: macOS 15.5 now alerts parents if someone successfully guesses their child’s Screen Time passcode. This helps parents monitor unauthorized changes to app limits or restrictions. To set this up, ensure Screen Time is enabled and linked to your Apple ID under System Settings > Screen Time. For more details on parental controls, see Tip 7 in our guide.

2. Should I update to macOS 15.5 if I don’t use Apple Intelligence?

Answer: Yes! Even if you don’t use Apple Intelligence, this update includes 39 critical security fixes that protect your Mac from hackers, Wi-Fi vulnerabilities, and malicious websites. You can also free up storage by deleting Apple Intelligence data (see Tip 14 for steps).

3. My mouse isn’t working properly after updating. What should I do?

Answer: macOS 15.5 improves compatibility with third-party mice. If your mouse acts up:

  1. Check for firmware updates (e.g., Logitech’s software).
  2. Restart your Mac.
  3. If issues persist, reset your Bluetooth connection.
    For more troubleshooting, refer to Tip 12 in our blog.

4. How do I stop my Mac from automatically enabling Apple Intelligence?

Answer: Go to System Settings > Apple Intelligence and toggle off features you don’t need. If you’re using an unsupported Mac with Open Core Legacy Patcher, disable automatic updates to avoid conflicts (see Tip 19).

5. Can I install macOS 15.5 on my older Mac?

Answer: Officially, only Macs from 2019 or later are supported. However, you can use Open Core Legacy Patcher 2.4.0 to install it on older models (2014 or newer). Back up your data first, as this process carries risks. Learn more in Tip 16.

Conclusion

macOS Sequoia 15.5 might seem like a small update, but it’s packed with fixes and features that make a big difference. From keeping your data safe to helping parents monitor screen time, these 21 tips ensure you’re using your Mac to its full potential. If you’re curious about how these changes affect performance, don’t miss our in-depth macOS Sequoia 15.5 Review.