

Try it! Create a new document and save it by pressing Control-S. You Mac will now recognize the control key as the primary modifier. This lets macOS know that you’ll be using the command key as the secondary modifier. This lets macOS know that you’ll be using the control key as the primary modifier.įrom the Control Key menu, select Command. This way you can switch the functionality of Control and Command and make it work like Windows. Step 2: Select your third-party Windows keyboard via the Select keyboard drop down box.
#Mac swap control and command keys mac os x#
If you are not used to the keyboard configuration, Mac OS X comes with a setting that allows you to remap the modifier key. Step 1: Open System Preferences Keyboard Modifier Keys.
#Mac swap control and command keys how to#
Here’s how to switch the command and control keys:įrom the Apple menu, select System Preferences.įrom the Command Key menu, select Control. You have to press Cmd + A to select all, Cmd + C to copy and Cmd + V to paste. Click Keyboard Shortcuts on the right, then select Modifier Keys in the list on the left. (You may need to scroll down.) Open Keyboard settings for me. On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Keyboard in the sidebar. It’s a great feature for new Mac users who keep forgetting they have to use the command key, and it’s also beneficial for those who use a Mac at home and a PC at work and want consistency between the keyboards. You can change the action that modifier keys, such as Control or Option, perform when you press them. Your Mac provides a way for you to switch the primary modifier keys and use the control key instead of command for every applicable keystroke in macOS. and then changing it from the drop down for the Control and Command keys. If this switch from control to command is driving you nuts, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a fix. You should be able to change that setting by going to System Preferences > Keyboard > Modifier Keys.

All of the other available keyboard shortcuts are similarly affected. For example, instead of pressing Control-S to save and Control-C to copy like you did in Windows, you’ll have to press Command-S and Command-C to do the same thing in macOS. When you buy a Mac, you’ll need to start using the command key instead of the control key. One of the most subtle differences between a Mac and a PC is also one of the biggest: the functionality of the control key on the keyboard. How to Switch the Control and Command Keys.Open system preferences and click Keyboard. AirPort Apple Apps Backups Developer Education Email Hardware Internet iPad iPhone Mac Music Network Photos Security TV Weekend Wonk Switch Command & Control Keys for an External Keyboard on Macs.
