Option One: Hold the Fn Key. If you only occasionally need an F key, the simplest thing to do is to hold down the Fn key. The touch bar will show a row of numbered function keys immediately. This is identical to how the regular function keys worked on most Macs for a decade and a half, so experienced Mac users should have no trouble discovering.
Control features on your Mac
By default, the top row of keys on your Apple keyboard control many different features on your Mac. For example, pressing the keys with speaker icons adjusts the volume.
- Mac OS seldom use the fn key with their keyboard shortcuts. Mac Operating System has similar shortcuts with Windows Operating system. However, the keys used are different from the latter.
- As yet (5th Aug 2015) there's no official support from Apple for Windows 10 running through Boot Camp. So, when I upgraded from Windows 8.1 to 10, I was expecting there to be a couple of issues. The main one for me was that the fn key wasn't working. But, it turns out to be easy to fix.
If your Mac has a Touch Bar, learn about using function keys on MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
Use standard function keys
Standard function keys work differently depending on the app and the keyboard shortcuts that you've set up. Some apps have their own keyboard shortcut preferences that you can customize.
To use the standard function keys, hold the Function (Fn)/Globe key when pressing a function key. For example, pressing both Fn and F12 (speaker icon) performs the action assigned to the F12 key instead of raising the volume of your speakers.
If your keyboard doesn't have an Fn key, try pressing and holding the Control key when pressing a function key.
Change the default function key behavior
If you want to change the top row of keys to work as standard function keys without holding the Fn key, follow these steps:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
- Click Keyboard.
- Select 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys'.
If you don't see 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys'
If you don't see 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys', you might be using a keyboard not made by Apple. These keyboards might need a utility to change the keyboard functions. Check with your keyboard manufacturer for more information.
Learn more
Learn about using function keys on MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
Hi All,
I bought a new Mac, 27'
Which was as an upgrade to my old Mac (which still works perfectly well)
However my old Mac has the Apple (wired) extended keyboard the one with the attached number pad to the right side where as my new Mac doesn't, it only has the short i.e. no number pad keyboard. So I swapped them over.
Clavier Mac
My problem is this:
The old keyboard attached (via USB) to my new Mac works perfectly fine. All buttons work as they should including functions keys.
My new keyboard which is now connected to my old Mac doesn't work as it should. Basically the function keys don't work, more specifically I can't get my volume or music play keys to work.
Ive been to various forums and most state:
Use the top row of keys on your keyboard to perform built-in features or as standard function keys.
If your Apple keyboard has icons printed on some of the keys on its top row, these keys can be used to perform the special features shown in each icon. They can also be used as standard function keys (F1 through F12). The action performed by standard function keys varies depending on the app you're using, or depending on the keyboard shortcuts listed in the Keyboard & Mouse pane of System Preferences.
By default, pressing one of these keys performs the special feature indicated by the icon printed on the key. For example, pressing the keys with speaker icons adjusts the volume. If you want to use one of these keys as a standard function key, hold the Fn key (usually in the lower left corner of the keyboard) while pressing the function key. Pressing Fn-F10 (speaker icon) performs the function assigned to the F10 key instead of toggling mute on or off.
If you prefer the top row of keys to always behave as standard function keys without holding the Fn key:
- Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
- From the View menu, choose Keyboard.
- Click the Keyboard tab if it is not already selected
- Enable 'Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys.'
If you want to change the top row of keys to work as standard function keys without holding the Fn key, follow these steps:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences.
- Click Keyboard.
- Select 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys'.
If you don't see 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys'
If you don't see 'Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys', you might be using a keyboard not made by Apple. These keyboards might need a utility to change the keyboard functions. Check with your keyboard manufacturer for more information.
Learn more
Learn about using function keys on MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.
Hi All,
I bought a new Mac, 27'
Which was as an upgrade to my old Mac (which still works perfectly well)
However my old Mac has the Apple (wired) extended keyboard the one with the attached number pad to the right side where as my new Mac doesn't, it only has the short i.e. no number pad keyboard. So I swapped them over.
Clavier Mac
My problem is this:
The old keyboard attached (via USB) to my new Mac works perfectly fine. All buttons work as they should including functions keys.
My new keyboard which is now connected to my old Mac doesn't work as it should. Basically the function keys don't work, more specifically I can't get my volume or music play keys to work.
Ive been to various forums and most state:
Use the top row of keys on your keyboard to perform built-in features or as standard function keys.
If your Apple keyboard has icons printed on some of the keys on its top row, these keys can be used to perform the special features shown in each icon. They can also be used as standard function keys (F1 through F12). The action performed by standard function keys varies depending on the app you're using, or depending on the keyboard shortcuts listed in the Keyboard & Mouse pane of System Preferences.
By default, pressing one of these keys performs the special feature indicated by the icon printed on the key. For example, pressing the keys with speaker icons adjusts the volume. If you want to use one of these keys as a standard function key, hold the Fn key (usually in the lower left corner of the keyboard) while pressing the function key. Pressing Fn-F10 (speaker icon) performs the function assigned to the F10 key instead of toggling mute on or off.
If you prefer the top row of keys to always behave as standard function keys without holding the Fn key:
- Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu.
- From the View menu, choose Keyboard.
- Click the Keyboard tab if it is not already selected
- Enable 'Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys.'
from Apple support - How to change the behavior of function keys on your Mac - Apple Support
which refers to this setting as seen below:
However my settings don't have this re-set facility.
Where Is The Fn Button On Mac Keyboard
As such I can't seem to get any of my volume keys, or music play keys to operate.
Can you help please.
Thanks
iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.1), iPhone
Posted on Feb 18, 2016 3:25 PM
