Shortap
Shortap is a macOS utility for supported MacBooks that turns physical taps on the left or right side into customizable actions and Shortcuts.
What is Shortap?
Shortap is a native macOS utility that lets you trigger actions by tapping the left or right side of a supported MacBook. It is designed for people who want faster access to common commands without using menus, keyboard shortcuts, or trackpad gestures. Users can assign single, double, and triple taps on each side of the notebook to actions such as screenshots, media playback controls, window management, app launching, and system controls. It also works with Apple Shortcuts, so custom automations can be run directly from tap gestures. Shortap is intended for Apple silicon MacBook models that support its tap detection features, making it a focused helper app for shortcut-driven Mac workflows. The app is published by Hutvagner Zsolt.
Key features
- Assign single, double, and triple tap gestures to each side of a supported MacBook.
- Trigger built-in actions such as screenshots, copy and paste, media controls, and volume changes.
- Run Apple Shortcuts directly from physical tap gestures.
- Launch apps, open URLs, or send custom keyboard shortcuts.
- Control windows and workspaces with actions like minimize, full screen, and split positioning.
- Adjust tap sensitivity to better match your typing and tapping habits.
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Safety overview
Status: Mostly safe
Shortap is a local Mac utility that works by reading built-in motion sensor data to detect taps on supported MacBooks. For features such as running shortcuts or controlling parts of macOS, it may request normal permissions like Accessibility or Automation. Its published privacy information says gesture data and settings stay on the Mac and are not uploaded for analytics. Use it normally if you want tap-based controls, but review any shortcuts or actions you assign so they only trigger tasks you expect.
Recommendation: Keep Shortap if you use tap gestures to speed up screenshots, media controls, shortcuts, or window actions on your MacBook. If you no longer use those gestures, removing it should mainly affect that convenience and any tap-based actions you configured.
Common paths
/Applications/Shortap.app
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