How to open the menu bar, the Dock and toolbars with the keyboard on a Mac

Control F2 jumps to the menu bar, Control F3 to the Dock. The built in keys for reaching every part of the screen without a mouse, and how to turn them on.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

How do I open the menu bar with the keyboard?

Press ⌃ F2. On most Mac laptops, add fn: fn ⌃ F2. The Apple menu is highlighted. Use the arrow keys to move along and open menus, or type the first letters of a menu's name, and press Return to choose an item. Esc leaves.

What other parts of the screen can I reach?

Move focus toPress
The menu bar⌃ F2
The Dock⌃ F3
The active or next window⌃ F4
The window's toolbar⌃ F5
A floating window⌃ F6
The status icons at the top right⌃ F8

These are the defaults listed in System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, Keyboard. You can change any of them there.

Why does Control F2 not work?

  • On a laptop, the top row controls brightness and sound unless you hold fn.
  • The shortcut may be unticked in Keyboard Shortcuts, Keyboard. Tick Move focus to the menu bar.
  • Another app may use the same keys.

Is there a faster way to find a menu command?

Yes. ⇧ ⌘ / opens the Help menu with a search field: type part of a command's name and press Return. See find any menu command.

For tabbing through buttons in dialogs, turn on Full Keyboard Access. Windows by keyboard: keyboard only window management.

Checked on 22 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1: the Move focus to items were read from System Settings, Keyboard Shortcuts, Keyboard.

Questions

How do I access the menu bar with the keyboard on a Mac?

Press Control F2, or fn Control F2 on most laptops.

How do I open the Dock with the keyboard?

Press Control F3, then use the arrow keys and Return.

Why is Control F2 not working on my Mac?

Hold fn as well on a laptop, and check Move focus to the menu bar is ticked in Keyboard Shortcuts.

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