Where to find and change your Mac keyboard shortcuts

You change Mac keyboard shortcuts in System Settings under the Keyboard section. Open System Settings, click Keyboard in the sidebar, then select Keyboard Shortcuts at the bottom of the window. From there you can modify shortcuts for apps, system functions, and services—or create entirely new ones.

The Keyboard Shortcuts window shows shortcuts organized by category: App Shortcuts, Function Keys, Modifier Keys, and others depending on what you have installed. Each category lets you see what shortcut is currently assigned and change it to something else. You can also add new shortcuts for menu commands that don't have one.

Not every shortcut can be changed. System-level shortcuts like Command-Space (Spotlight) and Control-Command-Space (emoji picker) are locked. But most process shortcuts and many system shortcuts are fair game.

Key Takeaways

  • Open System Settings, go to Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts to see and modify all your shortcuts in one place.
  • You can change shortcuts for specific apps, system functions, or create new shortcuts for menu commands that lack one.
  • Some core system shortcuts cannot be changed, but most process and accessibility shortcuts can be.
  • New shortcuts take effect when ready in most apps, though some require you to quit and reopen them.
  • If a shortcut stops working, check whether another app or system setting is using the same key combination.

Changing shortcuts for a specific app

To change a shortcut for one app only, go to Keyboard Shortcuts and select App Shortcuts from the left sidebar. Click the plus button at the bottom, then choose the app from the dropdown menu. Type the exact name of the menu command as it appears in the app (for example, "New Window" or "Close Tab"), then press the keys you want to use.

The menu command name must match exactly what you see in the app's menu bar. If you type "New" instead of "New Window," the shortcut won't work. Once you save it, the new shortcut overrides any existing one for that command in that app only—other apps keep their original shortcuts.

This approach is useful when an app's default shortcut conflicts with something else you use, or when you want to match shortcuts across apps that normally differ. For instance, you could make Command-Shift-N open a new window in every app, even if some use different defaults.

Modifying system-wide function key shortcuts

Function keys (F1 through F12) can be reassigned to different system functions. In Keyboard Shortcuts, select Function Keys from the sidebar. You'll see what each key currently does—F1 and F2 usually control brightness, F3 opens Mission Control, and so on. Click any function key and choose a different action from the dropdown.

If you use an app that needs the raw F-key input (like a music production tool or game), you can hold the Function key while pressing F1–F12 to send the raw key instead of the system action. You can also toggle "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" in the main Keyboard settings if you want the raw keys to be the default and require Function to trigger system actions.

Creating a new shortcut for a menu command

Many apps have menu commands without a keyboard shortcut. You can add one. Go to App Shortcuts, click the plus button, select the app, and type the exact menu command name. Then press the key combination you want—usually something with Command, Option, Shift, or Control.

For example, if an app's Edit menu has a "Paste Special" command but no shortcut, you could create Command-Option-V for it. The shortcut appears in the menu next to the command name once you save it, and it works when ready in most cases. Some apps require a restart to recognize the new shortcut.

Fixing conflicts when a shortcut stops working

If a shortcut suddenly stops working, another app or system setting is likely using the same key combination. Check whether you recently installed software, enabled an accessibility feature, or changed another shortcut that overlaps. System settings take priority, so a system shortcut will override an app shortcut if they use the same keys.

To find the conflict, search for the key combination in Keyboard Shortcuts by looking through each category. You can also try the shortcut in different apps to narrow down where it's being intercepted. Once you find the conflict, either change one of the shortcuts or disable the feature that's using it.

Some third-party apps (like window managers or automation tools) also grab keyboard shortcuts before macOS sees them. If you can't find the conflict in System Settings, check the preferences of any recently installed utilities.

Resetting shortcuts to Apple's defaults

If you've made many changes and want to start over, you can reset all shortcuts to their factory defaults. In Keyboard Shortcuts, click the Options button (three dots) at the bottom right and select "Restore Defaults." This removes all your custom shortcuts and resets system shortcuts to what Apple ships with your macOS version.

This action cannot be undone, so write down any custom shortcuts you want to keep before you reset. You'll need to recreate them afterward. Resetting is useful if shortcuts have become tangled or conflicting and you want a clean slate.

Shortcuts that cannot be changed

Some shortcuts are locked by macOS and cannot be modified. Command-Space (Spotlight), Control-Command-Space (emoji and symbols), and a few others related to system security and core functions are off-limits. You'll see these in the Keyboard Shortcuts list but won't be able to edit them.

If you need a different way to trigger Spotlight or the emoji picker, you can disable Spotlight in Siri & Spotlight settings and use a different search tool, or you can use a third-party utility to remap keys at a lower level. However, most users find the default system shortcuts work well enough that changing them isn't necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my Mac for a new shortcut to work?

Most shortcuts take effect when ready. However, some apps require you to quit and reopen them before they recognize a newly created shortcut. If a shortcut you just added doesn't work, try closing and reopening the app.

Can I use the same shortcut in multiple apps?

Yes. When you create a shortcut in App Shortcuts, it applies only to that app. You can use Command-Option-N in one app and have it do something different in another app without conflict.

What if I accidentally delete a shortcut I need?

You can recreate it by going back to App Shortcuts and adding it again. If you want to restore all shortcuts to Apple's defaults at once, use the Options menu to reset them, then recreate only the custom ones you want to keep.

Why does my shortcut work in some apps but not others?

Check whether the menu command name matches exactly in each app. Also verify that no other app or system setting is using the same key combination—system shortcuts take priority over app shortcuts.

Can I change shortcuts on a Magic Keyboard or external keyboard?

Yes. The shortcuts you set in System Settings explore to any keyboard connected to your Mac, whether it's the built-in keyboard or an external one. You don't need to configure them separately.