How to create your own keyboard shortcuts for any app on a Mac

How do I add a keyboard shortcut to a menu command?

1. Open System Settings, Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts….
2. Click App Shortcuts and the add button.
3. Choose the app, or All Applications for every app that has the command.
4. Type the Menu title exactly as it appears in the menu, including any trailing dots.
5. Click in the shortcut field, press the keys, and click Done.

The new shortcut shows beside the command in the app's menu next time you open it.

Why does my custom shortcut not work?

• The name does not match. Check spelling, capitals and the three dots some commands end in.
• The keys are taken. Another shortcut, in the app or system wide, already uses them. Choose a different set.
• The command is in a right click menu, not the menu bar. Only menu bar commands can be given shortcuts this way.
• The app draws its own menus. Some apps do not use the Mac's menu system, and ignore App Shortcuts.

How do I change a built in system shortcut?

In the same Keyboard Shortcuts window, pick the section on the left, such as Screenshots or Mission Control, double click the key combination, and type the new keys. Restore Defaults puts a section back.

Find the exact name of a command first: search menus by typing. Shortcuts that clash: keyboard shortcut conflicts.

Checked on 22 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1: App Shortcuts, All Applications, Menu title and Restore Defaults were read from System Settings, Keyboard.