Controlling Your Mobile Mac with Function Keys

The function keys on mobile Macs enable you to control the following:

• Use the F1 and F2 keys to change the display's brightness.

• Use F3 and F4 to set the volume level.

• Use F6 to mute the volume.

NOTE

Different models and generations of mobile Macs can use different keys for the functions listed here. Just look at your mobile Mac's keys to determine which keys control which functions. The keys are marked with icons, such as the speaker icon for keys that control volume, the sun icon for brightness, and so on.

To activate these functions, just press the appropriate key. When you change display brightness or system volume, an indicator will appear on the screen to graphically show you the changes you make.

TIP

If you prefer to have the function keys work as function keys without having to hold the FN key down while you press them, open the Keyboard & Mouse pane of the System Preferences application. Check the "Use the F1-F12 keys to control software features" check box. If you do this, you have to hold down the FN while pressing the appropriate hardware control key (such as F1 to lower the screen's brightness).