If you own a new Apple magic keyboard or extended keyboard you may not realise how to use those extra function keys on the top right of the keyboard. You can set them up to launch and control applications. For example I have my f-19 key set up to toggle my Dragon Dictate microphone and I have f-18 set up to launch my Google Calendar calendar in a specific browser.
Currently, Apple is one company that offers one of the best ranges of peripherals on the market with a lifetime above average and an excellent user experience. Many of you are likely users of Windows systems but you would like to be able to use the keyboard and mouse from Apple or you were Mac users and you want to use as many components on a computer with Windows. Use Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator to find key combinations for the unique characters used by the language and region your Apple keyboard is designed to support: Download, install, and open the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator. Choose File Load Existing Keyboard. Select the keyboard you want to see. For some reason, Apple doesn't offer a way to click-lock those keys to perform combinations. However, if your physical keyboard can still generate an Option or Shift key click, you can use those.
There are various ways to set up a shortcut. Let's go from the simplest (although limited) to the most versatile (but complex).
Windows: If you use multiple OSes or just prefer using an Apple keyboard you'll know that many keys such as print screen, volume control, and eject do not work in Windows. Learn how to add an Apple Bluetooth keyboard to a Windows 10 PC in just a few seconds. Watch more How To videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkW2.
Within the app
Some applications allow you to set up your own shortcuts. You just go to Preferences in the app and you can select your own shortcuts from there.
System Preferences
If you go to System Preferences/Keyboard there's a tab that allows you to customize many system keyboard shortcuts. Here you can see I have set my F-1 and F-2 keys to adjust the screen brightness. But you can also use the extended function keys like F16, F17 etc.
Launch Apps or URLs
How To Make An Apple On The Keyboard Keys
You can launch applications or URLs directly from a function key.
The Apple way to do it is to set up an automator function and then assign it to a service and then assign that to a function key. I find that far too complex so I use an app called ‘Keyboard Maestro'. It allows you to set any key to launch any application or URL.
Here is what it looks like: (This shortcut opens my Google calendar.)
Applications that won't let you assign function key
Wireshark 3 0. There are some applications that will let you set a keyboard shortcut using a modifier key (e.g. Open source daw software windows. command-shift-key) but they won't let you assign a function key directly to their shortcuts. The workaround for these applications is to use Karibiner Elements to remap your function key to a different shortcut. Creating your own complex modifications is a little tricky, I'll leave you to read about it here:
Here is an example of where I have used Karibiner Elements to remap my f-19 key to shift-option-command-9 so that I can then assign a shortcut in Dragon Dictate to turn the microphone on and off:
So there you have it. Using Keyboard Maestro and Karibiner Elements you can map any key to any shortcut and even launch Applications or URL's using function keys.
Change your keyboard settings
You can change the settings of the built-in keyboard on your device or add languages. This also changes the dictionary used for auto-correction, the number of letters on the keyboard, and the arrangement of the keys. The language of the keyboard also determines the language of the dictionary used for predictive text.
To adjust your keyboard settings:
- Open an app that uses the keyboard, like Messages or Mail.
- Touch and hold or .
- Tap Keyboard Settings.
- Then customize your settings.
Add or delete a third-party keyboard app
You can install third-party keyboard apps just like you install other apps on your device. After you install a new keyboard, you need to add it before you can use it. Follow these steps:
- Go to the App Store and find the keyboard app that you want.
- Tap Get, then follow the prompts to install.
- Enter your Apple ID password, or use Face ID or Touch ID if it's available on your device.
- Then add the new keyboard. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add a New Keyboard and select the app that you installed. You might need to set the keyboard to allow full access in order to use it.
Mobile software for mac. To delete a third-party keyboard:
- Go to Settings > General, tap Keyboard, then tap Keyboards.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap , then tap Done.
You can also delete a keyboard by deleting the companion app that you installed from the App Store. This also removes the keyboard from Settings.
Switch to another keyboard
While you're using an app, you can switch to a different keyboard, like a third-party keyboard or a language keyboard. Quiver 3 0 4 – the programmers notebook. Follow these steps:
- Touch and hold or .
- Select the keyboard you want to use.
To arrange the order of your keyboards:
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard and tap Keyboards.
- Tap Edit.
- Touch and hold to move the keyboard.
- Tap Done.
Sometimes, third-party keyboards aren't available for one of these reasons:
- If the developer of the app you're using doesn't allow third-party keyboards.
- If you type in a secure text field, like a password entry that shows typed characters as dots instead of letters and numbers.
- If you use a number pad instead of a standard keyboard.
Instead, you'll see the default keyboard until you finish typing.
Turn on one-handed typing
How To Connect Apple Keyboard Bluetooth
Use one-handed typing on your iPhone to make it easier to type with one hand. Here's how:
- Touch and hold or .
- Tap to move the keyboard to the left. Tap to move the keyboard to the right.
- When you're done, touch and hold or . Then tap to bring your keyboard back to its usual setting.
You can also turn on one-handed typing from Settings > General > Keyboards and tap One Handed Keyboard. You need an iPhone 6 or later to use the one-handed keyboard. This feature excludes iPhone SE (1st generation) and iPod touch.
If you have an iPhone 6 or later, the one-handed keyboard doesn't work if you have your display set to Zoomed instead of Standard. If you have an iPhone 6 Plus or later, the one-handed keyboard will work if your display is set to Zoomed or Standard. To adjust your display settings, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom.
Change the layout of your physical keyboard
You can choose between multiple keyboard layouts to match the keys on your physical keyboard. You can also use an alternative keyboard layout that doesn't match the keys on your physical keyboard.
How To Make Keyboard Faces
Before you can change your physical keyboard, you need to pair it with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Follow the instructions that came with your keyboard to place it in discovery or pair mode. After you pair it, go to Settings > General > Hardware Keyboard, then select a layout.
Apple imac iphoto tutorial. Learn how to set up and use a Bluetooth accessory — like a keyboard — with your device.
