Click on Keyboard and then the Shortcuts tab. To enable the function keys for an app, click the Apple menu (upper left corner of the desktop) and then click System Preferences. Once configured, all you have to do is open the app in question and the Touch Bar will reveal F1-F12, ready for action. You can set this up for as many apps as you need. Having to do that throughout your workday can add significant keystrokes to an already carpal tunnel-inducing nine-to-five.įortunately, the Apple developers thought of that, and I'm here to show you how to make the function keys always appear in the Touch Bar, for specific apps. But what if you have particular apps that make heavy use of the function keys? You certainly don't want to have to constantly hit the fn key just to gain access to F1, F2, F3, etc. In order to gain access to them, you must first hit the fn key, at which point they will appear on the Touch Bar. But there's one sticking point-the function keys. That Touch Bar is capable of making your workflow a bit easier. Even though the detractors would say it's nothing more than Apple trying to convince you of something you don't really need, I find it to be a tool that empowers my efficiency on the platform.