Function and media keys
Brightness, keyboard light, media, volume and screenshots on the function row, with fine steps on the editing cluster.
The function row
| Key | ⇪ | ⇪ ⌘ |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Brightness down | ⌃1, switch to desktop 1 |
| F2 | Brightness up | ⌃2, switch to desktop 2 |
| F3 | Mission Control (⌃↑) | ⌃3, switch to desktop 3 |
| F4 | Open Apps (Launchpad) | |
| F5 | Keyboard light down | |
| F6 | Keyboard light up | |
| F7 | Previous track | |
| F8 | Play or pause | |
| F9 | Next track | |
| F10 | Mute | |
| F11 | Volume down | |
| F12 | Volume up | |
| F13 | Screenshot of the screen to the clipboard (⌃⇧⌘3) | Screenshot of the screen to a file (⇧⌘3) |
| F14 | Screenshot and recording toolbar (⇧⌘5) | ⇧⌘6 |
| F15 | Play or pause | |
| ` | Screenshot of an area to the clipboard (⌃⇧⌘4) | Screenshot of an area to a file (⇧⌘4) |
These chords need the key to arrive as a real F-key. If the top row of your keyboard controls brightness and volume by default, hold fn as well, or turn on "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" in System Settings. ⌃1 to ⌃3 switch desktops only when those shortcuts are enabled in System Settings.
Fine adjustment
The editing cluster above the arrow keys sends ⇧⌥ with a media key, which macOS treats as a quarter step.
| Key | ⇪ |
|---|---|
| Insert (Help) | Brightness up, quarter step |
| ⌦ Forward Delete | Brightness down, quarter step |
| Home | Keyboard light up, quarter step |
| End | Keyboard light down, quarter step |
| Page Up | Volume up, quarter step |
| Page Down | Volume down, quarter step |