Computers, Laptops & Tablets > Apple How to Use the F Keys on a Mac Take advantage of your Mac's function keys By Brenna Miles Brenna Miles Twitter Writer The University of Phoenix Brenna Miles is a technology writer with a B.A. in Business Management and HR Management. She's been writing about technology for 6+ years. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 7, 2022 Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Reviewed by Jessica Kormos Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Why Use Mac Function Keys? The Function of Each F Key How to Use the Mac Function Keys How to Enable Standard Function Keys Frequently Asked Questions What To Know To enable standard function keys, go to System Preferences > Keyboard, and enable Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard...Mac function keys are different than function keys on Windows and Linux.Each key performs a unique function to control your Mac. This article explains how to use the function keys on your Mac. Located at the top of your Mac keyboard is a collection of keys that feature an F followed by a number, 1-12. These keys, known as Mac function keys, enable you to change certain settings and reach Mac features quickly, with the press of a couple of keys. Kohei Hara / Getty Images Why Use Mac Function Keys? If you've ever used a keyboard shortcut, you know how simple and fast it is. The time it takes to move your hand to your mouse or trackpad and navigate to the action you wish to take is cut short thanks to the shortcut. The function keys work the same exact way, saving you time as you work, surf the internet, or game. Some apps allow you to customize the function keys to fit your preferences. You can also change your function keys to match your own shortcuts by remapping them. If there's an action you take often using your Mac, the functions key can help. Do you have a MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016 and later) or a MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports and later)? If so, your physical function keys are replaced by the Touch Bar, which changes automatically based on the apps you're using. Windows Keyboard Equivalents for the Mac's Special Keys The Function of Each F Key Mac Function Keys F1 Reduce the screen's brightness F2 Increase the screen's brightness F3 Activates Expose view, which shows you every app that's running F4 Showcases your apps or opens the dashboard for access to widgets F5 For back lit keyboards, F5 decreases the keyboard's brightness F6 For back lit keyboards, F6 increases the keyboard's brightness F7 Restarts a music track or jumps to the previous track F8 Plays or pauses a music track or other content F9 Skip a music track or fast forward F10 Mute F11 Reduces volume F12 Increases volume How to Use the Mac Function Keys By default, the function keys are ready to use without any other keystrokes. Simply press the key to activate the function you need to perform. The function will automatically activate. You can also use other shortcuts such as modifier keys to save even more time as you work and play. However, if you wish to change this, you can use System Preferences to enable standard function keys. How to Enable Standard Function Keys On your Mac, click Launchpad > System Preferences. From there, click Keyboard, then click Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys. Now, you'll need to press the Fn key in the lower left corner of your keyboard plus the corresponding function key to complete an action. FAQ How do I change the function keys on my Mac? Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard > Modifier Keys. Choose a function key and use the pop-up menu to designate an action for it. If you ever want to change the function keys back to what they were originally, select Restore Defaults. How do I use function keys if my Mac has a Touch Bar? Press and hold the Function (fn) key on your keyboard to display the function keys in the Touch Bar. Then press the function key you want as it appears in the Touch Bar. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies