F11 on a Mac: why it shows the desktop, and how to get full screen instead
On a Mac, F11 shows the desktop rather than going full screen, and on a laptop you need fn too. What it does, how to press it, and the Mac's full screen key.
How do I press F11 on a MacBook?
Hold fn and press the F11 key. On Mac laptops the top row controls brightness, volume and media unless you hold fn; on our MacBook Air the F11 key on its own turns the volume down.
To use the top row as F1 to F12 without fn, open System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts, Function Keys, and turn on Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys.
What does F11 do on a Mac?
It shows the desktop: every window slides off the screen, and pressing it again brings them back. Keyboard Shortcuts lists it as Show Desktop under Mission Control. See show desktop on a Mac.
What is the Mac version of F11 full screen?
⌃ ⌘ F, or fn F on keyboards with a globe key. It works in browsers, Finder and nearly every app. See the full screen shortcut.
Can I make F11 go full screen on a Mac?
Yes. In Keyboard Shortcuts, Mission Control, untick Show Desktop so F11 is free. Then in App Shortcuts, add one for All Applications with the menu title Enter Full Screen and press F11 as its shortcut. It works in apps whose menu uses that exact title.
Checked on 16 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1, by reading its settings and the labels in System Settings. Nothing was changed. The function key setting was at its default, off.
Questions
How do I press F11 on a MacBook Air?
Hold fn and press F11. On its own the key changes the volume.
What does F11 do on a Mac?
It shows the desktop. Press it again to bring the windows back.
What is the Mac equivalent of F11 full screen?
Control Command F, or fn F on keyboards with a globe key.
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