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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo use Visual Intelligence on a Mac running macOS 27, turn on Siri AI (Beta). Then press Command-Shift-Space bar to select a whole window, or press Command-Shift-6 and drag to select part of the screen. After the selection, ask a specific question, choose an action that Siri offers, or click Image Search. The two shortcuts capture different amounts of the screen, so choosing the right one matters more than memorizing either key combination.
Check eligibility before you start
Siri AI (Beta) depends on your macOS version, your hardware, and your language settings. Apple’s Mac User Guide page “Siri AI: Learn about what’s on your Mac screen” sets out the following requirements:
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- Operating system: macOS 27 or later.
- Hardware: an Apple Intelligence-enabled MacBook Neo with A18 Pro, or a Mac with an M1 or later chip. Apple’s macOS 27 feature overview and the App Store’s “See What’s New in macOS 27” page describe the same compatibility range.
- Language: Siri and the device language must both be set to a supported language. Siri AI is available in English to start.
Apple notes that some Apple Intelligence features vary by language or region, so a compatible Mac may still lack a feature in some locations. Macs outside the listed hardware are not named for Siri AI (Beta) in these sources.
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Turn on Siri AI (Beta)
- Open Siri settings on your Mac.
- Turn on Siri AI (Beta) and follow the onscreen setup.
- Confirm that Siri and your device language are both set to a supported language.
Once the feature is on, the shortcuts below work from any app that shows content on screen.
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Choose a shortcut by scope
The two shortcuts differ in how much of the screen Siri receives. Apple’s guide describes the window shortcut as the way to capture a full window, and the drag selection as the way to isolate part of the screen. Use the table to decide which one fits the question you have.
| Shortcut | What it selects | Use it when | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Command-Shift-Space bar | A whole window | Surrounding content changes the meaning, such as an entire email thread or an event page | Asking what an email is asking you to do, with the full message in view |
| Command-Shift-6, then drag | A region you drag over | One object or passage is the focus, such as a chart, photo, or paragraph | Asking about one chart in a report without the rest of the page |
This comparison applies Apple’s documented selection behavior to common situations. It does not mean one mode is more accurate than the other.
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Command-Shift-Space bar: select a window
- Bring the window you want to the front and make sure it shows the content you need.
- Press Command-Shift-Space bar.
- Select the window Siri should use, then enter a question or choose an action.
Command-Shift-6: drag to select an area
- Show the content you want on screen.
- Press Command-Shift-6.
- Click and hold the mouse or trackpad, then drag over the portion of the screen you want Siri to use.
- Enter a question or choose an action from the options that appear.
Ask, act, or search with the selection
After a selection, you have three ways to proceed:
- Ask a specific question in the Ask Siri field. Concrete questions produce more useful answers than general prompts.
- Select an offered action. The options depend on what is in the selection.
- Click Image Search to find similar images online.
Apple’s support page gives three examples. Treat them as illustrations of what is possible, not as actions that will appear for every selection:
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- With a diagram open in Notes, ask “Explain this from my class notes.”
- For a selected screenshot, ask “What place is this and how do I get there?”
- For a recipe image, select “Look up nutrition” when that option appears.
Ask Siri about screen content without a screenshot shortcut
The two shortcuts are not the only route. Apple’s guide says you can activate Siri and ask about something already on screen, with no selection step.
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Apple also documents a Finder comparison. Select two documents in Finder, Control-click one of them, and choose Ask Siri. Then ask a comparison question, such as “Which quarterly report grew faster?”
To continue a conversation after Siri answers, swipe down on the answer to start a follow-up.
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- FOUR STUNNING COLORS. ONE DURABLE DESIGN — Choose from four beautiful colors — Silver, Blush, Citrus, or Indigo — each with a color-coordinated keyboard. And MacBook Neo is made with a durable recycled aluminum enclosure that helps it reach 60 percent recycled content by weight — the most ever in any Apple product.*
- FLY THROUGH EVERYDAY ASSIGNMENTS — Whether you’re cramming for finals, using Apple Intelligence* to summarize class notes, creating presentations, or even playing the latest Apple Arcade game,* MacBook Neo delivers the performance and AI capabilities you need to get things done.
- UP TO 16 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Neo delivers all day battery life, so you can power through from early morning classes to late night study sessions without worrying about plugging in.
- A VIBRANT 13-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Neo supports 1 billion colors, so photos and videos pop and text is crisp for easy reading.
Know the limits
- Beta status: Apple’s guide labels Siri AI as beta, so behavior and availability may change.
- Usage limits: some server-side features, including Siri AI, are subject to daily usage limits. Apple says these may vary with the feature, request complexity, system demand, system policies, and other factors. Do not expect unlimited use.
- Regional differences: availability can differ by region and language, even on a compatible Mac.
Control which Siri features and content are available
Screen Time settings let you choose which Siri features are available and which content Siri can access. This is useful on shared family computers or managed devices. Treat it as the control Apple documents for these choices, not as a broader guarantee of privacy or security.
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Apple Support’s Mac User Guide states: “When you turn on Siri AI (Beta), Siri can tap into Visual Intelligence to ask questions, take action, and search based on what’s on your Mac screen.”
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The Mac Observer’s September 16, 2026 walkthrough by Mike Peterson describes the same two shortcuts in practical terms, including the window shortcut for an entire email or event and the region shortcut for isolating a chart, photo, or paragraph. Apple’s documentation remains the authority on compatibility and steps.
If the feature does not appear on your Mac, compare your macOS version, chip, language, and region against the requirements above first.
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