by Marcel Dufresne
May 9, 2023
The Mac keyboard features a top row of 12 or 19 function keys. The numeric keypad adds those extra 7 keys. Most of these, if not all, have a default system function already programmed for them. For instance, F12 increases the volume of the audio output. Repeatedly tapping this key raises the volume to a maximum level. Next to it, at F11, is the decrease volume key. The built-in function of these keys, if they have one, is reflected in the icon that appears above each of the F keys. Activating, deactivating and editing these functions is available from the System Preferences > Keyboard or Mission Control menu.
You may or may not have noticed a menu option for apps in macOS called Services. Many applications create items for the Services when you initially start them. Services is something that will let you use a feature from another app without having to open that app. So essentially, it is a way to access shortcuts that will allow you to do small tasks quickly. You can either make use of available Services menu shortcuts, or you can create your own. Again, you can use System Preferences > Keyboard > Services to turn them on or off and add a keyboard shortcut to speed up their use. The Services menu is located under the application name in the menu bar or at the bottom of a right click of the mouse. The type of items listed depends on what files are in use at the time.
I mention the Keyboard and Services because the function keys as well as a host of other keys can be used as shortcuts. The problem with using these as shortcuts lies with the pre-programmed system functions already set. To access a secondary shortcut the fn key (located next to the home button) must be pressed and held while pressing the chosen shortcut function key. For instance, F4 displays the Mission Control screen while fn-F4 displays the Launchpad screen. It is possible to change the order of the fn key so that the pre-programmed functions are activated when the fn key is used in conjunction with the F key and the secondary function is now the primary action for the F key. To do this you go to System Preferences > Keyboard and put a checkmark in the box beside ‘Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys’. I have a tendency to keep the default F keys as they are since I use them a lot, especially the volume control and the Mission Control desktops.
Depending on what you use the function keys for, it might be desirable to quickly switch the primary and secondary nature of these keys. I am thinking that some games use the function keys as shortcuts to the gameplay. Since speed of action is often needed to succeed at these games, it would be very convenient to be able to activate the secondary function without having to go to the Preferences or having to use two hands at the same time. FNable provides such a means. It enables you to use your function keys in the apps or games that need them. FNable runs in the background and can quickly change your special keys to function keys. The applications that use function keys are remembered, and every time you switch to such an application, the function keys become the default while using that application. When you quit, the function keys revert to their standard use. You do not have to remember to bring the secondary functions to the front or send them back after you finished playing. Of course, you can still use the special keys while your function keys are active. Just hold down the fn key when clicking the function keys.
FNable can be activated in numerous ways. The easiest is to hold the fn key down for about 3 seconds (until a voice announces which is the primary). The menu bar icon switches, indicating the primary active function. You can also set an active corner of your screen, use the menu bar icon, or a hotkey. The FNable preferences allow you to edit these options.
FNable supports a variety of keyboards: Apple Keyboards, Logitech Keyboards, and Touch-Bar Keyboards. To see if your keyboard is compatible, check the Keyboard System Preferences. If there is a Checkbox enabling the Function Keys F1, F2, etc. your keyboard is compatible. Logitech Keyboards are supported but require Logitech Control Center to be installed
FNable has one and only one function which it does very well. Simply put, it provides better access to the Function-Keys. Instead of pressing the fn-Key to access the function keys in applications or games that make use of these keys, FNable switches the behaviour to make the Function-Keys the default and provide access to the system controls when the fn-Key is pressed. FNable requires macOS X 10.14 – Mojave, or newer. Click here to view more about the application or to download a trial copy. I strongly advise you to download the trial version of FNable. It will work without limitation for 14 days. This way you can check for yourself whether the application is worth the $25 or not. You might find that this is a lot of money to spend on an application that has one main purpose. That purpose can be circumvented by either pressing the fn key in conjunction with the F key or by clicking a box in the System Preferences. However, as a gamer, I can readily see myself using this application to save time. Now I don’t have to remember to switch the primary and secondary functions before I play and they are immediately reset on their own when I stop playing. Only you can decide how useful this application can be.
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