Typing letters with diacritics on MacBook Air

I just purchased a new MacBookAir M5 running Tahoe 26.5.2, replacing a 2019 MacBook Pro. On my old Pro, to type letters with diacritics such as 'á', I could simply hold down the base letter 'a' on my keyboard and a menu of diacritic options for the letter 'a' would pop up. I can't figure out how to replicate this function on my new Air, using the US International - PC keyboard. I don't like having to hold down a function key with the letter.

MacBook Air 15″, macOS 26.5

Posted on Jul 21, 2026 2:44 PM

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Tom Gewecke

Level 10

123,564 points

Posted on Jul 22, 2026 2:27 AM

alysounmahoney wrote:

. On my old Pro, to type letters with diacritics such as 'á', I could simply hold down the base letter 'a' on my keyboard and a menu of diacritic options for the letter 'a' would pop up. I can't figure out how to replicate this function on my new Air

See this note for the possible fixes for this probem:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-250006751

Also on US International PC, you can make diacritics simply by typing ' " ~ ` just before the base letter, it that turns out to be easier than the press and hold method.

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17 replies

Jul 21, 2026 6:06 PM in response to Chattanoogan

So after multiple AI inquiries, I determined that I needed to change a setting in my Webroot security software, selecting Pause Secure Keyboard Entry. That fixed the problem.

Jul 21, 2026 6:13 PM in response to alysounmahoney

voilà (sorry, couldn’t resist)

Thank you for the follow-on update.

It all adds to the general community knowledge.

Typing letters with diacritics on MacBook Air