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To navigate macOS with the keyboard, turn on Full Keyboard Access in Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Motor > Keyboard. Then use Tab and Shift-Tab to move between interface elements, Space to select, and the arrow keys to move within groups. You do not need Mouse Keys for ordinary keyboard navigation.

Turn on Full Keyboard Access

  1. Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
  2. Select Accessibility in the sidebar, scroll to Motor, then choose Keyboard.
  3. Turn on Full Keyboard Access. macOS highlights the interface item that currently has focus.
  4. Press Tab to move forward and Shift-Tab to move backward. Press Space to select the focused item, and use the arrow keys to move within a group, such as a list or sidebar.

Apple says you can customize the focus highlight and Full Keyboard Access commands by returning to Accessibility > Motor > Keyboard and opening the information button beside Full Keyboard Access. Press Tab-H to open its Commands Help. These paths and labels follow Apple’s published macOS guides; layout and labels can vary by macOS release, and Apple does not provide a complete version-compatibility matrix in the cited guides. Apple’s Full Keyboard Access guide has the complete command list.

Useful keyboard commands

After enabling Full Keyboard Access, these commands can help you reach parts of macOS without switching to a pointing device:

  • Control-Tab and Control-Shift-Tab: move between items.
  • Tab-F: search.
  • Tab-W: open Window Chooser; Tab-A: open Application Chooser.
  • Fn-Control-F2: move focus to the menu bar.
  • Fn-A: move focus to the Dock.
  • Fn-C: open Control Centre; Fn-N: open Notification Centre.
  • Tab-C: move the pointer to the keyboard focus, useful when a task still requires pointer positioning.

Apple documents these commands in its Full Keyboard Access instructions. Shortcut behavior can depend on the current macOS release and keyboard layout.

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Choose the feature that fits the task

Feature What it does Best fit Typing impact
Full Keyboard Access Moves focus across interface elements, shows the focused item, and provides additional commands. Broad keyboard navigation and selection. No special typing restriction is stated in Apple’s guide.
Keyboard navigation Uses Tab and Shift-Tab to move keyboard focus through controls. A simpler way to reach controls. Apple cautions that Tab does not reach every focusable element in a Mac app. No special typing restriction is stated in Apple’s guide.
VoiceOver Reads screen content aloud and uses a separate navigation command system. Spoken descriptions, including for blind or low-vision users. No special typing restriction is stated in Apple’s guide.
Mouse Keys Moves and clicks the pointer using keyboard keys. A task that specifically requires pointer movement or pointer-style clicking. While enabled, the keyboard or numeric keypad cannot be used to enter text.

Keyboard navigation: a simpler option

The separate Keyboard navigation setting is in System Settings > Keyboard. It offers Tab and Shift-Tab movement, but Apple warns that Tab does not reach every focusable element in a Mac app. If you get stuck on an item, Full Keyboard Access is the broader option. See Apple’s guide to VoiceOver and Tab navigation.

VoiceOver: add spoken feedback

VoiceOver is macOS’s built-in screen reader. Its default modifier is either Caps Lock or Control-Option; Apple abbreviates the chosen modifier as VO in commands. Press VO-Left Arrow or VO-Right Arrow to move the VoiceOver cursor, then VO-Space to activate the focused item. VoiceOver is not simply another Tab setting: it adds speech and its own navigation system. Apple explains its commands in Control your Mac using keyboard commands with VoiceOver.

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Mouse Keys: control the pointer from the keyboard

Mouse Keys is optional and serves a different purpose from Full Keyboard Access: it moves the pointer and provides pointer-style clicks. To enable it, go to System Settings > Accessibility > Pointer Control > Mouse Keys. Apple documents controls using a standard keyboard as well as a numeric keypad; a separate keypad is not required. Because Mouse Keys prevents text entry while active, it is inconvenient if you need to type during the task. Apple’s Mouse Keys guide lists the movement and click controls.

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If keyboard navigation does not meet your needs

Apple also lists Voice Control, Accessibility Keyboard, Switch Control, and alternate pointer actions among the Mac’s built-in mobility features. They address different interaction needs; consult Apple’s mobility accessibility overview to identify an appropriate alternative.

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