How to use the Touch Bar on your Macbook Pro

How to Steps

How to use the Touch Bar on your Macbook Pro

On MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016) and later and MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports) and later, the Touch Bar at the top of your keyboard adapts to what you're doing and gives you intuitive shortcuts and app controls when you need them.

 Find System Controls and Settings in the Control Strip

When you start up your MacBook Pro, the Control Strip on the right side of the Touch Bar shows a few familiar buttons like volume, mute, and display brightness, as well as Siri. The Escape (Esc) button appears on the left side of the Touch Bar.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbook-pro-2017-touchbar-tech-spec.jpg

System Controls: Tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-left-arrow-icon.png in the Control Strip and it expands, showing system controls brightness, Mission Control, Launchpad, and media playback:

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-control-strip-expand.png

Make your adjustments, then tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-photos-x-icon.png. The Control Strip returns to its smaller version on the right side of the Touch Bar, with Esc showing on the left side. You can always tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-left-arrow-icon.png to expand the Control Strip and see all the system controls.

Function Buttons: To use the F1–F12 function buttons in the Touch Bar, hold the Function (fn) key at the bottom left of your keyboard. The function keys appear:

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-control-strip-function-keys.png

Learn more about using function keys on MacBook Pro with Touch Bar.

As you use your Mac, the Touch Bar changes automatically based on what you’re doing to show relevant tools that you already know how to use. Read on for examples of what the Touch Bar can do in your favorite apps and learn how to customize the Touch Bar to make it your own.

Use Touch Bar controls in Apps.

Many of the built-in apps on your Mac have Touch Bar controls that make common actions even easier. And your favorite third-party apps can take advantage of Touch Bar as well.

Here's a look at what Touch Bar can do in some popular Mac apps. Explore your other favorite apps to see what Touch Bar offers.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/osx/osx-el-capitan-finder-icon.pngFinder

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-finder.png

Navigate and View
In Finder, tap the arrows in the Touch Bar to move back and forth among items, and tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-eye-icon.png to view items in Quick Look.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-finder-sorting.png

View and Sort
Tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-view-sort-icon.png to see options for viewing and sorting your files and folders.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-finder-sharing.png

Share
 Tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-share-icon.png to see options for sharing your files.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-finder-tags.png

Tag
Tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-tag-icon.png to see tags you can apply to items.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/applecare/safari-icon-ma.jpg

Safari

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-safari-favorites.png

Visit your Favorites
In Safari, tap a favorite website in Touch Bar to open it.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-safari-start.png

Navigate and Search
Click the right or left arrow button to go backward or forward. Tap the search field to begin a search, or tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-new-tab-icon.png to open a new tab.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/mac_apps/macos-sierra-mail-app-icon.png

Mail

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-mail-start.png

Perform Common Tasks
You can use the Touch Bar in Mail for composing, replying, archiving, marking as junk, and flagging messages.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-mail-text-suggest.png

Use Predictive Input: In Mail and other apps where you compose text, the Touch Bar predicts as you type. Tap a word or emoji to insert it.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-mail-formatting.png

Format Your Text
As you type a message, select some text and the Touch Bar shows you formatting options like bold, italic, and lists.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-mail-emoji.png

 

Say it with Emoji
In apps like Mail and Messages, you can choose emoji instead of words for a fun way to make your point. Tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-emoji-icon.png to see the emoji you use most, and then tap an emoji to insert it.

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/mac_apps/iphoto/osx-elcapitan-photos-icon.png 

Photos

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macos-high-sierra-macbookpro-touch-bar-photos-search-library.png

Speed Through Your Library 
In Photos, the Touch Bar speeds your search for just the right photo as you slide your finger across the thumbnails. Tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-photos-heart-icon.png to mark a selected photo as a favorite, Auto Enhanceto use Auto Enhancehttps://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-photos-rotate-icon.png to rotate, or Add to to include the photo in an album.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macos-high-sierra-macbookpro-touch-bar-photos-edit-photo.png

Edit Your Photos: When you open a photo in Edit view, you can use Touch Bar controls to apply light, color, or black-and-white adjustments. Tap Adjust to access filters and crop tools. After you add adjustments, you can tap and hold https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/mac_apps/iphoto/macos-high-sierra-photos-edit-photo-compare-before-after-icon.png to see your original image.

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/il/spacer.png

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/mac_apps/macos-sierra-maps-app-icon.pngMaps

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-maps-start.png

Find yourself: In Maps, tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-maps-location-icon.png in the Touch Bar to find your location. Tap the search field to type where you want to go.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-maps-categories.png

See What's Nearby
The Touch Bar shows buttons with categories of nearby locations, like restaurants, hotels, and gas stations.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-maps-directions.png

Get There
When you select a location to visit, you see options for getting directions, calling the business, or viewing its website. 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/il/spacer.png

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/mac_apps/macos-sierra-notes-app-icon.png

Notes

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-notes-start.png

Take a Note
In Notes, tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-notes-new-note-icon.png in the Touch Bar to create a new note. Tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-notes-checkmark-icon.png to add a checklist item.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-notes-format.png

Format Your Text
Tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-right-arrow-icon.png to show buttons for aligning text and applying bold, italic, or underscore styles.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-notes-styles.png

Apply Styles
Tap https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/touch-bar-notes-paragraph-style-icon.png to apply paragraph styles like numbered lists, bulleted lists, or headings.

 https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/il/spacer.png

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/mac_apps/macos-sierra-calendar-app-icon.png

Calendar

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-calendar-start.png

See Your Day
In Calendar, tap the Today button to see today’s events, or slide across the Touch Bar to select the month—past or future.

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-calendar-details.png

Edit your events: Select an event in your calendar, then tap to get the event details, edit the time or place, and add or delete invitees.

 https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/il/spacer.png

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/mac_apps/facetime/macos-sierra-facetime-app-icon.pngFaceTime

 

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-facetime-contact.png

Control Your Calls
In FaceTime, you can make and answer calls, get caller info, and send a message or email when you can’t talk—all from the Touch Bar.

 

Customize your Touch Bar

In many apps, like Finder, Mail, and Safari, you can customize the Touch Bar.

Choose View > Customize Touch Bar. The customization window appears on your display, allowing you to choose your favorite items:

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macos-sierra-macbook-pro-customize-touch-bar.png

https://support.apple.com/library/content/dam/edam/applecare/images/en_US/macbookpro/macbookpro-touch-bar-customize-done.png

When you're customizing the Touch Bar, its buttons jiggle, and you see the Done button on the left side.

Use your cursor to drag items that you want from the display down into the Touch Bar. You can also drag items left and right within the Touch Bar to rearrange them or drag them up and out of the Touch Bar to remove them. Tap Done in the Touch Bar or click Done on the screen when you finish.


Customize the Control Strip

You can also add, remove, or rearrange Control Strip buttons, including Siri.

In any app that supports customization (such as Finder), Select View > Customize Touch Bar. Touch the Control Strip region of the Touch Bar to switch to Control Strip customization. Then use your cursor to drag items that you want from the display down into the Control Strip. Drag items left and right within the Control Strip to rearrange them or drag them up and out of the Touch Bar to remove them. Tap Done in the Touch Bar or click Done on the screen when you finish.

You can also enter Control Strip customization mode by clicking "Customize Control Strip" in the Keyboard section of System Preferences.

Explore and Experiment

Most apps include shortcuts, tools, and controls in the Touch Bar for the tasks that you want to do. Tap around to see what you can accomplish quickly and easily.

It’s often easier to tap the Touch Bar than to click or select items onscreen. For example, open Calculator and do quick calculations with the number keys and the functions on the Touch Bar—without moving your cursor, clicking, and typing.

Keep using the Touch Bar to find the best ways to do what you want and explore your favorite third-party apps as they add a new dimension with Touch Bar features.

 

Use Accessibility Options with Touch Bar

The accessibility features that help you use your Mac can also help you use the Touch Bar. Hold the Command key while you press Touch ID (power button) three times to toggle VoiceOver, which reads aloud Touch Bar commands.

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Article ID: 403
Created
Fri 1/5/24 10:14 AM
Modified
Fri 1/12/24 1:15 PM