Use Mac OS only with a keyboard - how it works

Mac OS can only be operated with the keyboard. This helps, for example, if your mouse is broken and you cannot find a quick replacement. We will show you the most important commands and functions for this.

View, open and close files using the keyboard

With "cmd" + "N" the window with all your files is displayed.

• You can then use the arrow keys to navigate to documents, pictures or music and open them with "cmd" + "O".
• Open programs can be ended with "cmd" + "Q".

Switch off the Mac using the keyboard

It is also very important to be able to switch your PC off again.

• You can do this using the key combination "ctrl" + "alt" + "cmd" + "Eject".
• On a Mac Book Air press "ctrl" + "alt" + "cmd" + "power button"
• In other practical tips, you will also learn more about the shortcut for retirement and how to upgrade the delete key on your Mac laptop.

Operate the menu bar under Mac OS X with the keyboard

You can control the menu bar with "ctrl" + "F2".

• You can then navigate in the bar using the arrow keys.
• Use the "Enter" key to open a menu.
• Here, too, you can use the arrows to go down and call up your desired function.

Control Mac OS toolbar with keyboard

You control the toolbar with "ctrl" + "F3".

• Here, too, you can move from program to program using the arrow keys.
• Call the marked program also with the "Enter" key.

Note: The keyboard shortcuts are often in the menu bar in the open menus next to the functions. So you don't have to memorize all the key commands. In order to use your Mac even more securely, we will show you the most important shortcuts for Mac OS X in another article.