The touch bar has been an addition to the MacBook Pro which has been the cause of several mixed reactions from the users. While the touch bar has brought more convenience to Apple MacBook users, there seems to be a lot of resistance towards adaptation to the small utility touch screen because of the attachment users have towards the older function keys.
Another reason is that users probably haven’t figured out how to use the swanky touch bar shortcuts yet. To remedy that, we will help you with the five most effective ways to customize the touch bar that will help you make up for the loss of the function keys in no time. Curious to know how? Keep reading!
- Take Screenshots in a Flash: Sometimes you reviews timeline photos and need to screenshot them so you don’t lose them. You probably already have an idea of how to take screenshots on your Mac, but did you know you could put the screenshot icon on your touch bar? Go to Menu and select Customize Touch Bar. The icons on the touch bar will start jiggling. Touch the Screenshot feature to add it to your touch bar and press Done.
- Show Function Keys of a Specific Application: To activate function keys for a particular app, go to System Preferences, then Keyboard, and click on the Shortcuts option. Click on Function Keys on the left side box, then click “+” to see all your apps appear. Choose the app you want the Function Keys for and click on Add.
- Display the Function Keys: You may miss the function keys, but it can be added to your touch bar. Just press and hold the Fn button to have the function keys pop up. to make them a permanent feature on the touch bar, go to system preferences, then select Keyboard and Touch Bar. Select F1, F2, F3, and other keys. In the Press Fn key to the menu, choose Show Control Strip.
- Personalize the Control Strip: You can also change the order of apps and functions on your control strip using the touch bar settings. The control strip is a series of four buttons to the right of your screen with the usual features of Siri, brightness, voiceover, or volume buttons. Go to Apple Menu, click on customize touch bar and then select customize control strip. Once the icons start to jiggle, choose the options you want to show up on the control strip.
- Add or Remove Application Shortcuts: The apps mentioned in the touch bar are the ones you have recently been working on by default.Using the steps given in how to add the screenshot icon, you can add or remove application shortcuts by selecting, deselecting, or dragging them to position them as per your preference.
Sure, the function keys were comfortable, but there is no denying that the touch bar keeps up with the latest tech developments and will make life easier for you while operating your Mac. We hope these shortcuts help you use your Mac more efficiently and add extra brownie points for the touch bar!
