How to Create Custom Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac

macOS is a great operating system. Unlike iOS, Apple allows all customization options in macOS. You can change the default browser and Mail app and make other changes as per your preference. Among them, the ability to create custom keyboard shortcuts for macOS’ most used actions is my favorite add-on.

By default, macOS comes with the most basic keyboard shortcuts to increase your productivity. However, there are times when you want to repeatedly access certain menus or functions like Notification Center or Do Not Disturb mode and miss the absence of these quick keyboard shortcuts. Fortunately, you can always assign custom keyboard shortcuts for them.

The functionality does not end there. You can also create keyboard shortcuts for third-party apps like Firefox, Pixelmator, and more.

In this article, we will talk about how to create custom keyboard shortcuts on Mac. I’ll explain how you can simplify your workflow by setting up custom keyboard shortcuts for the macOS menu, functions, and third-party apps. Lets start.

Create Keyboard Shortcuts for Frequently Used Words and Phrases

This is similar to iOS. You can create keyboard shortcuts for frequently used words and phrases. I cannot emphasize enough how much time it has saved me over the years.

You can set keyboard shortcuts for email id, home address, and other phrases you use frequently. Follow the steps below to set them up.

Stage 1: Tap the Apple logo in the upper left corner and open System Preferences.

Step 2: Go to Keyboard > Text.

Stage 3: Tap the ‘+’ icon in the lower left corner and add a shortcut to the emoticon. For example, you can type ’email’ in it and replace the phrase with your actual email id.

You can create as many keyboard shortcuts as you want in macOS. I created keyboard shortcuts for special characters like degrees, rupees and added a few of my email addresses. I can simply type ‘degrees’ and macOS will replace it with the degree symbol.

Note: You can create a custom keyboard shortcut for email, but don’t try to do the same for a password. Anyone using your Mac can access the Keyboard menu without any authentication. Therefore, it is unwise to create custom keyboard shortcuts for passwords.

Assign Keyboard Shortcuts for macOS Menu

As mentioned earlier, macOS comes with a number of keyboard shortcuts to boost your productivity. But it does not support all menus and functions on Mac. That’s where Mac keyboard customization options come into play. You can look at and remove default keyboard shortcuts on Mac, and even assign new keyboard shortcuts for other macOS menus.

Follow the steps below to set them up.

Stage 1: Open Spotlight Search (use the keyboard shortcut Command + Space) and type System Preferences in it.

Step 2: Go to Keyboard > Shortcuts.

Stage 3: On the left you will see a lot of options. You can browse the assigned keyboard shortcuts. For this you can disable the keyboard shortcut and even double tap on it and assign a new keyboard shortcut.

In some options, you will see ‘none’ written on the side. This means that the system does not assign any keyboard shortcuts to it, but you can add one according to your preference.

For example, you can go to Mission Control and assign keyboard shortcuts to Show/Hide Notification Center and toggle Do Not Disturb mode on/off.

macOS also lets you add keyboard shortcuts for Pictures, Messaging, Files and other services like Folder, Search, Text, and Internet. For example, I use Pixelmator to edit images. Instead of selecting images and opening them from the context menu, I can assign a keyboard shortcut for it.

Go to Services > Pictures > Open with Pixelmator Pro and assign a keyboard shortcut for it. Next time, select the pictures you want to edit in the app and use the keyboard shortcut to open them in the app and start editing.

Note: Do not assign a keyboard shortcut that is already enabled on macOS. Try using a unique key combination that doesn’t block other keyboard shortcuts on Mac.

Create Application Keyboard Shortcuts

Most Mac apps come with support for keyboard shortcuts right out of the box. However, this may not be enough for you as they do not support keyboard shortcuts for every menu or function. In such cases, you can always create custom application keyboard shortcuts.

Stage 1: Tap the Apple logo in the upper left corner and open System Preferences.

Step 2: Go to Keyboard > Shortcuts > App Shortcuts and tap the ‘+’ icon in the lower left corner.

Stage 3: You can create a universal keyboard shortcut for all apps or navigate to a specific app.

Step 4: Now you need to enter the full name of the menu command you want to add. Add menu title and keyboard shortcut for it.

This much. You can now use the keyboard shortcut assigned in the application to access the corresponding menu. Let me remind you once again that a keyboard shortcut that is already in use by another system function or application may be copied if they conflict with each other or take no action.

The last thing you want is to go to the trouble of setting up a key combination that eventually fails to perform the action.

Quickly Navigate Between Menus and Options on Mac

macOS gives you the flexibility to assign and customize a keyboard shortcut to every menu and option in the operating system. Check out the tips above and customize the keyboard shortcuts you like and experience productivity through the roof. Are there any custom shortcuts you’ve created that you want to share with others? Mention them in the comments below.

Next: Want to increase your productivity on Mac? Read the post below to find the seven best Mac apps to stay organized.