macOS · Use the top row as F1 to F12
System
Windows · Linux
Not on this systemMac
Fn+F1Makes the top row act as real F1 to F12 instead of brightness and volume; if you flipped that setting, Fn does the opposite and calls the media keys.
- Group
- System
- Keys held
- 2
Cmd sits where Windows puts Ctrl. Text movement is the exception: end of line is Ctrl+A/E or Cmd+←/→, not a Cmd version of the Windows key.
Reading the key names
- Keys joined by + are pressed together: Ctrl+Shift+P means hold Ctrl and Shift, then P.
- On a Mac, Cmd is ⌘, Option is ⌥ (labelled Alt on some keyboards), Control is ⌃ and Shift is ⇧.
- Windows Ctrl usually becomes Cmd on a Mac, but not always — this reference lists both combinations separately.
- With a Korean, Japanese or Chinese input method active, shortcuts built on letter keys may not fire. Switch to Latin input and try again.
- When a combination does nothing, another program has often claimed it as a global shortcut first.
Common questions
Q. What is the shortcut for Use the top row as F1 to F12 in macOS?
Makes the top row act as real F1 to F12 instead of brightness and volume; if you flipped that setting, Fn does the opposite and calls the media keys. It is — on Windows and Fn+F1 on a Mac.
Q. Is it the same on Windows and Mac?
No — — on Windows, Fn+F1 on a Mac.
Q. How many keys is that?
2 pressed together. The combination sits under System in macOS.