macOS defaults

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Function key usage ​

Choose what happens when you press the Fn or 🌐︎ key on the keyboard.

⚠️ A restart of your Mac is required to apply these changes.

  • Tested on macOS:
    • Sonoma
  • Parameter type: int
    • 0
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3

Set to: Do Nothing (default) ​

Nothing happens.

bash
defaults write com.apple.HIToolbox AppleFnUsageType -int "0"

Set to: Change input source ​

Switches between keyboard layouts for writing in other languages (known as input sources).

bash
defaults write com.apple.HIToolbox AppleFnUsageType -int "1"

Set to: Show Emoji & Symbols ​

Opens the Character Viewer for entering emoji, symbols, and more.

bash
defaults write com.apple.HIToolbox AppleFnUsageType -int "2"

Set to: Start Dictation ​

Starts dictation when you press the key twice (you may be asked to enable dictation first).

bash
defaults write com.apple.HIToolbox AppleFnUsageType -int "3"

Read current value ​

bash
defaults read com.apple.HIToolbox AppleFnUsageType

Reset to default value ​

bash
defaults delete com.apple.HIToolbox AppleFnUsageType