How to Tab through buttons and controls on a Mac

By default, Tab on a Mac skips buttons in dialogs. Two settings change that: Keyboard navigation for Tab, and Full Keyboard Access for controlling everything.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

How do I Tab to buttons on a Mac?

  1. Open System Settings, Keyboard.
  2. Turn on Keyboard navigation.

Now Tab moves focus to every control: buttons, checkboxes, menus. Shift Tab goes back. Press Space to press the button that has the focus ring around it. Return still presses the default, blue button.

⌃ F7 switches this on and off from anywhere; Keyboard Shortcuts lists it as Change the way Tab moves focus.

What is Full Keyboard Access?

A fuller version, in System Settings, Accessibility, Keyboard. With Full Keyboard Access on, you can reach and use every part of the screen, including toolbars, sidebars and items Tab alone misses, with its own set of commands. It is built for people who cannot use a pointer.

How do I answer a dialog without Tab at all?

  • Return presses the blue default button.
  • Esc presses Cancel.
  • ⌘ D often presses Don't Save, and ⌘ ⌫ does in some apps.

Reach the menu bar and Dock by keyboard: Control F2 and friends. The whole Mac by keyboard: keyboard only window management.

Checked on 22 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1: Keyboard navigation, Change the way Tab moves focus and Full Keyboard Access were read from System Settings.

Questions

How do I tab between buttons on a Mac?

Turn on Keyboard navigation in System Settings, Keyboard. Press Space to press the focused button.

What is Full Keyboard Access on Mac?

An Accessibility setting that lets you reach and use every part of the screen with the keyboard.

What key presses the default button on a Mac?

Return presses the blue default button; Escape cancels.

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