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In High Sierra, I could invoke Launchpad with a function key, but in Big Sur on my M1 iMac it isn't there. In the Keyboard Preference Panel it says to use F6, but that is already assigned to Do Not Disturb, and that's what's marked on the key. I don't particularly want to lose DND if I can help it.
I would like to use an unassigned F key (e.g. F13) for Launchpad, but can't find a way to do it. Any ideas on how?
Thanks. Paul.
iMac 24″, macOS 11.4
System Preferences->Keyboard->Shortcuts.
Click Launchpad and choose the desired shortcut.
System Preferences->Keyboard->Shortcuts.
Click Launchpad and choose the desired shortcut.
That's what I expected to be able to do, but it doesn't work. Launchpad is already assigned to F6 in KB Shortcuts, even though F6 activates DND in practice - not Launchpad. Following the procedure doesn't do anything.
Upon further investigation, it appears that F1 - F12 are locked into what is printed on the keys, and to free them up you have to go to Keyboard->Keyboard and check the box "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys". And that does allow me to assign Launchpad to F6. But if I do this, I lose most of the preassigned features assigned to F1-F12: Volume up/down, brightness, etc., and I have to use the Fn key to get some of them them back - an awkward 2-key operation, and they don't all come back. A bit of a mess!
But my keyboard also has unused F13-F19 keys (above the numeric keypad), which don't have any special function. And I can't find a way to assign Launchpad to one of them, even though that would be ideal.
Is this a question for Apple?
If you have to use F6 for a different purpose than what is written on the key - like to activate Launchpad:
Option 1) Turn on Use F1, F2, ... as standard function keys
Option 2) Press Fn-F6 when you want Launchpad
NOTE: if I remember correctly, Launchpad is already associated with F4, so why change? Is not F4 good for you for some reason?
(I am on a 2019 MBP with Touchbar now, but I distinctly remember F3 and F4 being Mission Control and Launchpad on my earlier MBP)
EDIT: I just checked online and I see that newer MacBook Air no longer associate F4 with Launchpad.
No, F4 is now Spotlight. I don't have any particular choice of Fx for Launchpad - just that it was pre-assigned in KB Shortcuts as F6.
Glad you pointed out that Fn + F6 will activate Launchpad. That's what I will go with.
Thanks for your help.
Paul.
FWIW, I have F16 set to open Launchpad.
How did you do it? Mine is stuck at F6 and I haven't found a way to either change or delete the assignment.
Mine was never assigned to F6 or any other key. I just clicked on the right side of the line and pressed F16.
I am curious: dialabrain, do you use Launchpad much? I never use it except to test stuff when questions appear here in the forum.
Ditto. I never use it myself.
How can I Assign Launchpad to a key?
