Use keyboard function keys on Mac (2025)

macOS Sequoia 15

macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Ventura 13

macOS Monterey 12

macOS Big Sur 11.0

macOS Catalina 10.15

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Resources for your Mac
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Copyright

The top row of keys on an Apple keyboard are called function keys. Function keys can be used to perform keyboard shortcuts or to control system features, as indicated by an icon on the key. For example, you can use F11 as a keyboard shortcut to show the desktop or to decrease your computer’s volume.

By default, keyboard function keys are set up to control system features. To use the function keys for keyboard shortcuts, you must also press and hold the Fn key or the Globe key (depending on your Mac model or if you’re using a Magic Keyboard). For example, to show the desktop, you must press Fn-F11 or -F11.

If you use the keyboard function keys for keyboard shortcuts more often than for system features, you can set an option so that you don’t have to press and hold the Fn key or the Globe key .

On your Mac, choose Apple menu >System Settings, then click Keyboard in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
Open Keyboard settings for me
Click Keyboard Shortcuts, then click Function Keys in the sidebar.
Turn on “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys.”

See alsoIf a numeric keypad doesn’t work on MacApple Support article: Use the function keys on MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

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Use keyboard function keys on Mac (2025)

Mac User Guide

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