You can enable the accessibility features of your Mac to help you control and navigate your Mac using a keyboard or assistive device.
Whether it's moving between menus, adjusting the zoom, or enabling VoiceOver, there's lots that you can do on your Mac without using a mouse.
We've put together this handy cheat sheet that contains all the shortcuts that you need to know for using the accessibility features on Mac.
FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download the Mac Accessibility Shortcuts Cheat Sheet.
Mac Accessibility Shortcuts
|
Shortcut |
Action |
|---|---|
|
Control accessibility options |
|
|
Option + Command + F5 |
Show accessibility options |
|
Command + F5 |
Enable/disable VoiceOver |
|
Control + Option + F8 |
Show VoiceOver utility |
|
Option + Command + 8 |
Enable/disable zoom |
|
Option + Command + Plus |
Zoom in |
|
Option + Command + Minus |
Zoom out |
|
Control + Option + Command + 8 |
Invert colors |
|
Control + Option + Command + Period |
Increase contrast |
|
Control + Option + Command + Comma |
Reduce contrast |
|
Use your keyboard as a mouse (must be enabled via System Preferences) |
|
|
Control + F7 |
Switch between navigation controls |
|
Tab |
Next control |
|
Shift + Tab |
Previous control |
|
Control + Tab |
Next control when a text field is selected |
|
Control + Shift + Tab |
Move focus to the previous grouping |
|
Arrow keys |
Move to the adjacent item |
|
Control + Arrow keys |
Move to a control adjacent to the text field |
|
Space |
Choose menu item |
|
Return |
Default action |
|
Esc |
Cancel |
|
Control + Shift + F6 |
Focus on previous panel |
|
Control + F8 |
Status menu |
|
Command + ` |
Next open window |
|
Shift + Command + ` |
Previous open window |
|
Option + Command + ` |
Window drawer |
|
Control menus (press Control + F2 first) |
|
|
Left/right arrow |
Move between menus |
|
Type menu item's name |
Move to a menu item |
|
Up/down arrow |
Move between menu items in the selected menu |
|
Return |
Open/choose selected menu |
|
Mouse Keys (must be enabled via Accessibility Shortcuts) |
|
|
8 |
Up |
|
2 |
Down |
|
4 |
Left |
|
6 |
Right |
|
1 |
Diagonally down and left |
|
3 |
Diagonally down and right |
|
7 |
Diagonally up and left |
|
9 |
Diagonally up and right |
|
5 |
Press mouse button |
|
0 |
Hold mouse button |
|
Period |
Release mouse button |
Mac Features for Hearing-Impaired Users
If you use your Mac in accessibility mode, you might also like to know about all the available features for hearing-impaired users. This includes closed captions, Siri integration, and the ability to flash the screen when an alert is received.