Apple ’s current keyboard — laptop computer and desktop — can use the office key ( F1 through F12 ) for alternate occasion such as controlling volume , screen brightness , medium playback , and ( on compatible laptops ) keyboard backlighting , as well as for toggling Dashboard and Exposé . You choose , using the Keyboard filmdom of the Keyboard pane of System Preferences , whether you want these particular functions to take precedence over the function keys ’ standard behaviors ( with received F - central functionality require you to press thefnkey ) ; or if standard F - key behaviour should be the default ( with Apple - specific actions requiring thefnkey ) .
This approaching generally work well , but what if there are clip you require to use the non - default behaviour for more than a undivided keypress — for example , if you ’re work a Steam game , or if you ’re using a graphic or video - production diligence , that requires stock F - key ? It ’s a fuss to have to visit the Keyboard druthers pane each metre you need to switch .
Back in 2008 , I incubate FunctionFlip , a useful System Preferences pane that let you prefer the default behaviour foreachF - key , mixing and matching Apple and standard F - key actions . But another selection — and one that ’s in all likelihood more useful for the above scenarios — isPalua($1;Mac App Store link ) . This mere public-service corporation adds a systemwide menu for toggle between received F - key functionality ( “ Function Mode ” ) and the extra Apple functionality ( “ Apple Mode ” ) .
Just click Palua ’s menu - bar image and take Switch To Apple Mode or Switch To Function Mode , whichever is appropriate , and all your keyboard ’s F - key switch to the desire demeanor until you use Palua to switch back . Alternatively , you could use Palua ’s keyboard shortcut , Option+Command+Tab , to toggle between the two modes . Unfortunately , you ca n’t customise this keyboard shortcut .
A nice tactual sensation is that Palua ’s carte - Browning automatic rifle icon change to reverberate the current mode : anFnicon for Function Mode or a screen door - brightness - key ikon for Apple Mode .
Note that Palua is designed to work with Apple keyboard and third - party keyboard that provide similar functionality without additional software . The utility does n’t affect the behavior of third - party keyboard , such as Logitech’sdiNovo Mac Edition seam , that practice their own software to portion social function to F - keys .
I also run into one bit of queer doings : On my 11 - inch MacBook Air ’s built - in keyboard , Palua ’s modes were backwards — in Function Mode , the F - headstone do the especial Apple functions , while in Apple Mode , they acted as standard F - keys . However , this may be a MacBook Air quirk , as anApple Keyboardconnected to the same MacBook Air functioned as have a bun in the oven , and Palua also worked properly on other Mac laptops I tested .
