What the globe key does on a Mac, and the shortcuts that use it

The globe or fn key opens emoji, Dictation and window tiling on a Mac. What one press does, how to change it, and the globe shortcuts for windows.

Guide · Updated 22 October 2026

What does the globe key do on its own?

Whatever you choose in System Settings, Keyboard, under Press 🌐︎ key to: change input source, show emoji and symbols, start Dictation, or do nothing. Pressing it twice can start Dictation, depending on your Dictation setting.

What shortcuts use the globe key?

PressWhat it does
fn ⌃ ← or →Tile the window to the left or right half (macOS 15 and later)
fn ⌃ FFill the screen with the window
fn ⌃ CCentre the window
fn FFull screen on or off
fn EEmoji and symbols
fn QQuick Note
fn NNotification Center
fn CControl Center
fn ↑ ↓ ← →Page up, page down, start, end

Your Mac lists its own in System Settings, Keyboard, Keyboard Shortcuts. If one does nothing, check it there.

Why does the globe key change my keyboard language?

Because Press 🌐︎ key to is set to change input source and you have more than one input source. Set it to Do Nothing or Show Emoji & Symbols instead.

How do I use F1 to F12 without holding fn?

In Keyboard Shortcuts, Function Keys, turn on Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys. Then hold fn for brightness and sound instead.

The other symbols on Mac keys: Mac keyboard symbols. More on tiling: how to tile windows.

Checked on 22 October 2026 on a MacBook Air (M1) running macOS 27.0.1: Press 🌐︎ key to and its choices, and the Function Keys setting, were read from System Settings, Keyboard.

Questions

What does the globe key do on a Mac?

Whatever Press globe key to is set to in Keyboard settings: change input source, emoji, Dictation, or nothing. It is also fn for shortcuts.

How do I stop the emoji picker when I press fn?

Set Press globe key to Do Nothing in System Settings, Keyboard.

What is the globe key shortcut to tile windows?

fn Control and the left or right arrow, on macOS 15 and later.

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