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Introduction
You don’t have to accept the default keyboard shortcuts that Apple ships. With a few minutes of setup, you can create custom keyboard shortcuts on a Mac that perfectly match the way you work. Whether you want to add a global shortcut for a menu command, remap a multi‑key sequence for your favorite app, or disable a shortcut that interferes with another tool, macOS gives you the tools.
For an overview of all keyboard settings—including modifier keys and repeat rate—see our pillar how to change keyboard settings on a Mac guide . If you need to switch between languages, our input source and language switching guide covers that.
How to Add a Custom App Shortcut
- Open System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts.
- Click App Shortcuts in the left sidebar, then click the + button.
- Choose whether the shortcut applies to All Applications or a specific app from the dropdown.
- Type the exact name of the menu command you want to trigger. This must match the menu item perfectly, including capitalization and punctuation (e.g., “Export as PDF…”).
- Press the key combination you want to assign (e.g., Command + Shift + E).
- Click Add.
Your shortcut takes effect immediately. Open the app you assigned it to, and the menu item should show your new key combination next to it.
Examples of Useful Shortcuts
- Safari: “Merge All Windows” → Command + Shift + M (handy for cleaning up tabs)
- Finder: “New Folder with Selection” → Command + Control + N (faster than remembering the stock shortcut)
- Mail: “Send” → Command + Return (if you prefer that over the default)
- All Applications: “Zoom” → Command + Option + Z (useful for window management)
Modify or Delete an Existing Shortcut
If you’ve created a shortcut and later want to change it, you must delete it and add a new one—macOS does not let you edit a custom shortcut directly.
- In System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > App Shortcuts, select the shortcut.
- Press the Delete key or click the − button.
- Add a new shortcut with the new key combination.
How to Disable a Built‑in Shortcut
If a system‑wide shortcut (like Command + Space for Spotlight) conflicts with a tool you use, you can disable it.
- Under Keyboard Shortcuts, select the category (e.g., Spotlight).
- Uncheck the checkbox next to the shortcut to disable it.
No need to delete; you can re‑enable it later by checking the box.
What If Your Shortcut Doesn’t Work?
Check three things:
- The menu command name must be exact—a single trailing space or ellipsis mismatch will break it.
- The key combination may conflict with another shortcut. macOS gives priority to system shortcuts over custom ones. Disable the conflicting system shortcut.
- The app must actually have that menu command. Open the app and check the menu bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I assign a shortcut to a menu item that appears only sometimes?
Yes, but it must exist in the menu when the shortcut is defined. Dynamic menu items (like recently‑opened files) cannot be assigned shortcuts.
Will custom shortcuts sync between my Macs?
Only if you’re signed into the same iCloud account and have “Keyboard & Text Input” toggled on in iCloud settings. Even then, app‑specific shortcuts may not always sync.
Can I export my shortcuts?
Not natively. You can take screenshots of your shortcut lists or manually copy them to another Mac.
