How to find the Alt Key on Mac?

Most first-time Mac users love the sleek performance of their new machine, but they might take time to familiarize themselves with the keyboard layout. Like many, I had a hard time finding the Alt key on my Mac.

If you’re a Windows user, you probably know that the Alt key lets you access system functions when combined with other keys. For example, Alt + F4 brings up the shutdown dialog, while Alt + Tab lets you switch between windows. 

So, I guess the big question here is — what is the Alt Key on Mac? And more importantly, can it give you access to the same functions as it does in Windows? 

Now, it took me a while to find the Alt-equivalent on Mac and figure out what it can do. Read on to find the Alt key and how to use it. 

Where is the Alt key on Mac?

On a MacBook, the option (⌥) key is similar to the Alt key on Windows, enabling extra functions when combined with other keys. However, the Command (⌘) key more closely mirrors Windows' Alt in usage. For instance, while Alt + F4 closes windows on Windows, Command + W does the same on a Mac. 

Below are other shortcuts that demonstrate the similarity between Alt and Command:

I want to	On Mac	On Windows
Restart	Control + Command + Power/Eject	Control + Alt + Delete
Switch tab	Command + Tab	Alt + Tab
Next page	Command + Right arrow	Alt + Right arrow
Previous page	Command + Left arrrow	Alt + Left arrow

Bottom line is that the Option button is the direct implementation of the Alt key, but some of the former’s functions are replicated by Command. 

Tip: When your Mac's storage is packed with junk files, it can really slow things down and cause some annoying glitches that mess with shortcuts and other features. Plus, if there’s any malware, it can really mess with your system's performance and even disable some functions. The immediate priority is keeping your Mac safe and in top condition, and I use CleanMyMac to do that.

CleanMyMac is a powerful decluttering tool that scans and removes junk files in simple steps. It also features a malware scanner that protects your Mac from malicious programs. 

To improve your Mac's performance:

1. Install and open CleanMyMac.
2. Click Smart Care.
3. Click Scan.

Wait for CleanMyMac to complete the scan. Then, follow the steps to apply any recommended fixes. 

And if you want to double-check that your Mac is free of viruses, click on the Protection tab to perform a malware check.

Main function of an Alt Key on Mac 

We’ve pretty much established what the Alt key is on Mac and where you can find it. So, what else does Mac’s Alt key do? Let’s explore some of its functions.

Foreign letter accents and special characters

Perhaps the most distinct feature of Mac’s Alt key is the list of shortcut combinations that let you type hidden keyword symbols with ease. For example, if you want to insert the copyright symbol (©), you press Option + G, which is much simpler than Alt + 0169 on a Windows computer. 

Below are some special characters you can insert with Mac’s Alt key shortcut:

Alt (Option) key shortcut on Mac	Character
Option + 2	™
Option + R	®
Option + G	©

For writers, Mac’s Alt (Option) key is definitely handy, mainly if they write in foreign languages. The Alt (Option) key can let you type foreign-accented characters like à, é, and ñ with simple combinations. 

I’ll share some of them below:

Alt (Option) key shortcut	Foreign character
Option + a	å
Option + “	æ
Option + o	ø
Option + s	ß

Now, you know how to add special characters or foreign letter accents to your doc. But if you want a more powerful app that saves writing time, try Rocket Typist. 

Rocket Typist lets you create and manage snippets so you can easily use them when writing. Let’s say you’re sending an email and don’t want to type the entire greeting. With Rocket Typist, you can save the greeting as a snippet and insert it by its abbreviation. Here’s how to save a snippet on Rocket Typist.

1. Install and open Rocket Typist.
2. Press the document icon (next to the All Snippets).
3. At the right panel, type the text for the snippet. 
4. Then, click the settings icon (three dots in a circle) and choose Snippet Settings.
5. Enable and fill in the abbreviation for the particular snippet. 
6. Click Save.

Now, you can access the snippet by clicking the Rocket Typist icon at the top menu and typing its abbreviation. From there, you can copy and paste the snippet on the app you’re using. 

Additional shortcut commands

Along with the Alt key options on a Mac, there are lots of other shortcuts you’ll want to try out and use every day.

Access sound settings

Did you know that you can open the sound settings without navigating your Mac’s Settings? Just by pressing Option + any of the volume control (F11/F12) buttons, you can open the sound settings. 

Access display settings

Just like how the Alt key on Mac, or Option key can open the sound setting, it can do the same if you want to access the display setting. Just press option + any of the brightness control (F1/F2) buttons, and the Displays settings will pop up. 

Show or hide the Dock

If you find the Dock and its array of app icons distracting, you can hide it by pressing Option + Command + D. 

Delete the left-most character

Alt in Mac keyboard helps solve a common puzzle for Windows users regarding the Delete key. On Windows, the Delete key erases the character to the right, while Mac’s Delete key works as a backspace, erasing the character to the left. However, on a Mac, pressing Fn + Delete allows you to delete the character to the right, mimicking the behavior of the Windows Delete key.

The Option + Delete combination, on the other hand, deletes entire words to the left.

Move the cursor to search field

Mac’s Alt can let you instantly move the mouse cursor to an app’s search field. To do that, press Option + Command + F. Let’s say you want to visit a different website on Safari. Instead of using the trackpad to click on the search bar, you can press the shortcut. 

Note: Command + F without Option works for many apps as well.

Empty the trash bin

Usually, when you empty Trash, you will see a dialog asking for your confirmation if you want to skip the dialog and even click the trashbin, press Option + Shift + Command + Delete. This will automatically delete the trash without showing the confirmation dialog.

Copy files/folders

Command + C and Command + V are the common shortcuts for copying a file or folder. But did you know that pressing Option and dragging the particular file/folder create the same result? 

Open the Download folder

By default, the Download folder is accessible from the Dock. However, you can also open the Download folder by pressing Option + Command + L. 

Common shortcuts with an Alt Key

The Alt key can be very useful for accessing Mac’s system settings, navigating Finder, managing files, and more. The key is remembering the respective shortcuts and their functions. I’ve summarized the common Mac Alt shortcuts in the table below:

Alt (Option) key shortcut	What it does
Option + Command + W	Closes all windows of an app.
Option + Command + Esc	Brings up a window to force quit applications.
Option + Command + Power/Eject	Puts Mac into sleep mode.
Control + Option + Command + Power/Eject	Quits all apps and shut down.
Option + Command + L	Opens the Download folder.
Option + Command + D	Shows/hidse the Dock.
Option + Shift + Command  + Delete	Empties trash without confirmation dialog.
Option + F11/F12	Opens sound settings.

The list isn’t exhaustive. If you need the complete list of Mac shortcuts, check out this official Apple documentation. But if you still can’t find the shortcut you want, you can create your own with Keysmith. 

With Keysmith, you can record a sequence of actions on the screen and assign a shortcut. Let’s say you want a shortcut that opens Apple Music and plays your favorite track; you can customize one with Keysmith. Basically, nothing is impossible with Keysmith, the app maker claimed. I’ve tested Keysmith, and I must admit that it does live up to its promise. These days, I just hit a shortcut to launch Chrome, plus all the sites I visit daily. Let me show you how to create your shortcut with Keysmith:

1. Download and open Keysmith.
2. Click New Macro. Give the macro a name.
3. Click Record. Then, perform a sequence of actions.
4. Click Stop Recording.
5. Type the hotkey at the designated field. 

Now, you can perform the exact sequence just by pressing the hotkey.

Where is Alt on Mac? (Solved)

Mystery solved. The Alt key is the Option button on your Mac. But its functionality differs from Alt on Windows. Mac’s Alt key lets you access settings, manage files, insert special characters, and more when combined with other buttons. Along with the apps I mentioned, you can transition to Mac more effortlessly. Or perhaps use Mac more productively. 

• If you want to remove junk files and protect your Mac from malware, CleanMyMac is helpful.
• To create snippets you can easily use in email, Notes, and other text editors, use Rocket Typist. 
• To set up customized shortcuts, try Keysmith.

These apps are available on Setapp, along with dozens of others that make Mac more productive. Try them for 7 days without costs today!

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