Keys with an Fn key or F Lock provide two sets of commands for many keys. This includes the top row of standard function keys (F1–F12). Standard commands are labeled on the front of the keys (such as F3). Alternate commands are labeled on top of the keys (such as Redo). Customer Service 1-800-KEY2YOU ® (539-2968). Clients using a TDD/TTY device: 1-800-539-8336. Clients using a relay service: 1-866-821-9126. Find a Local Branch or ATM. X-keys ® Computer Input Devices With dedicated keys, switches, foot pedals, joysticks, and knobs we provide the intuitive link between human and computer or tablet. The tournament-proven PRO X design—now with swappable pro-grade GX switches. Meet the customizable mechanical gaming keyboard built for the world’s top esports athletes. The pros asked, we listened. With a compact design and user-swappable pro-grade switches, PRO X is pro-tested, tournament-assured, and built to win. Advanced GX mechanical switches—engineered and 100%. Xkey is a fully compliant, USB MIDI controller (MIDI is the standard for professional quality music). It’s a high-quality musical instrument. More octaves than a piano! And standard size keys.
These key combinations apply only to Mac computers with an Intel processor, not Mac computers with Apple silicon.
To use any of these key combinations, press and hold the keys immediately after pressing the power button to turn on your Mac, or after your Mac begins to restart. Keep holding until the described behavior occurs.
- Command (⌘)-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery system. Or use Option-Command-R or Shift-Option-Command-R to start up from macOS Recovery over the Internet. macOS Recovery installs different versions of macOS, depending on the key combination you use while starting up. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're prompted to enter the password.
- Option (⌥) or Alt: Start up to Startup Manager, which allows you to choose other available startup disks or volumes. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're prompted to enter the password.
- Option-Command-P-R:Reset NVRAM or PRAM. If your Mac is using a firmware password, it ignores this key combination or starts up from macOS Recovery.
- Shift (⇧): Start up in safe mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- D: Start up to the Apple Diagnostics utility. Or use Option-Dto start up to this utility over the Internet. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- N: Start up from a NetBoot server, if your Mac supports network startup volumes. To use the default boot image on the server, hold down Option-N instead. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- Command-S: Start up in single-user mode. Disabled in macOS Mojave or later, or when using a firmware password.
- T: Start up in target disk mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- Command-V: Start up in verbose mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- Eject (⏏) or F12 or mouse button or trackpad button: Eject removable media, such as an optical disc. Disabled when using a firmware password.
If a key combination doesn't work
If a key combination doesn't work at startup, one of these solutions might help:
- Press and hold all keys in the combination together, not one at a time.
- Shut down your Mac. Then press the power button to turn on your Mac. Then press and hold the keys as your Mac starts up.
- Wait a few seconds before pressing the keys, to give your Mac more time to recognize the keyboard as it starts up. Some keyboards have a light that flashes briefly at startup, indicating that the keyboard is recognized and ready for use.
- If you're using a wireless keyboard, plug it into your Mac, if possible. Or use your built-in keyboard or a wired keyboard. If you're using a keyboard made for a PC, such as a keyboard with a Windows logo, try a keyboard made for Mac.
- If you're using Boot Camp to start up from Microsoft Windows, set Startup Disk preferences to start up from macOS instead. Then shut down or restart and try again.
Remember that some key combinations are disabled when your Mac is using a firmware password.
Learn more
- Keyboard shortcuts that you can use after your Mac has started up.
Keys with an Fn key or F Lock provide two sets of commands for many keys. This includes the top row of standard function keys (F1–F12).
Standard commands are labeled on the front of the keys (such as F3). Alternate commands are labeled on top of the keys (such as Redo). In some programs, the function of a standard command and an alternate command may be the same (for example, F1 typically displays Help for the active window, and on some keyboards, the alternate command for F1 is also Help).
Use the Fn key
Logic X Keyboard Keys
On keyboards with an Fn key, hold down Fn and press the key to use the alternate commands.
Tips
You can also press and hold Fn while moving your finger up and down on the navigation pad to scroll within a document.
You can press and hold Fn while pressing keyboard letters M, J, K, L, U, I, O, P, /, ;, and 0 to match the physical layout of a numeric keypad.
Use the F Lock key
If your keyboard has an F Lock key, press it to toggle between the standard commands and alternate commands.
When the F Lock light is Off, alternate functions work (Help, Undo, and so on).
When the F Lock light is On, standard functions work (F1, F2, and so on).
Use alternate command keys
Xkey 37 Software
The following table specifies the default key assignments for the alternate command keys. You can reassign many of them using Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center.
Alternate command key | What it does |
Help | Opens the Help system (if any) for the active window. |
Undo | Cancels the previous action. |
Redo | Cancels the previous Undo action. |
New | Creates a new document in programs that support this command. |
Open | Opens a document in programs that support this command. |
Close | Closes the document or file that is in the active window. |
Reply | Replies to the e-mail message that is in the active window. |
Fwd | Forwards the e-mail message that is in the active window. |
Send | Sends the e-mail message that is in the active window. |
Spell | Starts checking the spelling in the active document, if the document's program has a spelling checker. |
Save | Saves the file that is in the active window. |
Prints the file that is in the active window. |
Enabling FN Lock on the All in One Media Keyboard
Hyperx Keyboard Keys
X-keys Macro Keyboard
To enable FN Lock on the All in One Media Keyboard, press the FN key, and the Caps Lock key at the same time. To disable FN Lock, press the FN key, and the Caps Lock key at the same time again.