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use keyboard to change keyboard brightness

I have a 2020 M1 MacBook Air, the 13" version. I know how to go into settings and change keyboard brightness, but is there a way to do this on the keyboard itself, or a way to assign such function to the keyboard?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 14.2

Posted on Jan 10, 2024 10:12 AM

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Posted on Jan 10, 2024 9:02 PM

Very good, thank you. So, if my keyboard does not have those keys, then that function cannot be assigned to other keys. I take it?

3 replies

Jan 10, 2024 8:57 PM in response to Sean Johnston

Hi Sean Johnston,


Re: "use keyboard to change keyboard brightness"


If your Mac has keyboard brightness keys: On the keyboard, press the increase brightness key or the decrease brightness key . To turn backlighting off, keep pressing

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Else: if needed: You can also adjust keyboard brightness right from the desktop by adding the Keyboard Brightness module to the menu bar or Control Centre. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Control Centre

in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down).

Go to Keyboard Brightness on the right, then turn on Show in Menu Bar or Show in Control Centre.

To adjust the brightness, click the Keyboard Brightness icon in the menu bar or in Control Centre.


More info: Apple support's online article: Turn your Mac keyboard’s backlighting on or off - Apple Support

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Also: Keyboard shortcuts (if your Mac has keyboard brightness keys):

  • Option-Keyboard Brightness Up: Open Keyboard preferences. This works with either Keyboard Brightness key.
  • Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Up or Option–Shift–Keyboard Brightness Down: Adjust the keyboard brightness in smaller steps.


Above is from: Mac keyboard shortcuts - Apple Support


All the best :-)

Jan 10, 2024 9:39 PM in response to Sean Johnston

Seems so, however, am no expert :-)

The way I understand it:

You can create / assign / keyboard shortcuts only for existing menu commands.

Eg: Create keyboard shortcuts for apps on Mac - Apple Support

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Seems there are "accessibility" shortcuts that can be set up to perform various tasks. I do not know whether or not anything can be done to control keyboard brightness with those.


There's a short video online, if you want to explore the possibilities:

How to use the Mac Accessibility Assistant shortcut | Apple Support

or

Apple's Accessibility Support Website (info. / support / contact options etc.)

(NB: You can "Get Support" from the link at the bottom of their website:)

Accessibility Support - Official Apple Support

use keyboard to change keyboard brightness

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