Is there a way to get those buttons to permanently light up on the touchbar, be it at low brightness so as to not waste too much energy? I find it really annoying to have to press the < arrow thing to even see the volume and brightness up/down buttons, and also to not see the esc button permanently (i.e., having to tab the bar once to even see where it is, then press the esc button again. Being a developer, but also for stuff like watching videos online I use that button a lot! And I always like to fine tune my volume and brightness settings, but having to first expand the touch bar menu makes this very cumbersome.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I want my permanent escape and brightness/volume buttons back!
- Thread starter macbook123
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Yup. Under Keyboard preferences, you can make the system buttons always show.
You can also program the Fn key to toggle the full system buttons instead of the F keys. That might be a good alternative since it won't require you to press the chevron to expand.
BUT...did you also know that you don't have to press the volume or brightness buttons and then tap on the slider? You can just press and hold and slide—no need to remove your finger. One button.
You can also program the Fn key to toggle the full system buttons instead of the F keys. That might be a good alternative since it won't require you to press the chevron to expand.
BUT...did you also know that you don't have to press the volume or brightness buttons and then tap on the slider? You can just press and hold and slide—no need to remove your finger. One button.
You know you don't have to use so many button presses right? If you just hold down the button for the respective control on the Touch Bar, you can slide it to adjust the brightness, volume, et cetera in one motion. Actually easier than it used to be.
Didn't know that. Thanks for the tip.
Could you link him to the 15" non touch bar?
As mentioned above just hold and slide makes it as simple as the old method, actually I like this new method better.
The OP didn't say anything about a 13" or a 15", but there is this if the touchbar is so terrible:
http://store.apple.com/xc/product/MJLQ2LL/A
Thanks, I see those options now, but let me clarify: what do you mean by the 2nd option being "a good alternative since it won't require you to press the chevron to expand"? Sorry for being bad at autocorrecting -- still waking up
Last edited:
I saw a video where you can get the typical function keys back at any time by pressing the bottom left key, I thought that was a nice feature.
I was kinda shocked when I saw in a video how you can customize the function keys by dragging and dropping what keys you use the most. Apple is slowly realizing that customizing is a good thing for the customer.
I was kinda shocked when I saw in a video how you can customize the function keys by dragging and dropping what keys you use the most. Apple is slowly realizing that customizing is a good thing for the customer.
Here you go. Lots of good info for customizing. I found it very helpful.
https://9to5mac.com/2016/11/18/15-touch-bar-tips-and-tricks-for-the-new-macbook-pro-video/
You can absolutely do what you want.
Also, just press the brightness icon on the right side and hold for half a sec and it will bring up the slider. No need to expand the whole bar with the side facing carrot-bracket thingy. Same with sound.
https://9to5mac.com/2016/11/18/15-touch-bar-tips-and-tricks-for-the-new-macbook-pro-video/
You can absolutely do what you want.
Also, just press the brightness icon on the right side and hold for half a sec and it will bring up the slider. No need to expand the whole bar with the side facing carrot-bracket thingy. Same with sound.
So with this:
Although it may be time consuming.. couldn't you go through and turn on the default Fn keys for every app?
I was thinking you didn't want to expand the full system bar first (which you do by tapping the < (chevron).Thanks, I see those options now, but let me clarify: what do you mean by the 2nd option being "a good alternative since it won't require you to press the chevron to expand"? Sorry for being bad at autocorrecting -- still waking up
That just redirects to the new models now, so far as I can tell? I can't find a way to order the 2015 models. Some stores have them, although only without dGPU.
EDIT: I was wrong, the other one is still there, lower on the page, once I navigate back to 15".
I seem to have escape, volume and brightness always available on mine. I don't have to hit a arrow.
Also in case you didn't know. You don't have to lift your finger once you hit the volume or brightness key just touch it and start sliding left or right.
correct, but if the OP wants to use the discreet down/up buttons like how they existed pre-touch bar (instead of hitting the single volume/brightness buttons that are always there in compact mode), those can be accessed in expanded mode, or by tapping the compact mode button and then sliding or tapping the down/up buttons on either side of the sliders.
I get that but there is zero reason to do that except make it take longer. Touch and start sliding.
I removed them from the extended bar as well and replaced with the single key versions. Hoping they add a single keyboard light control in the future. Frees up spots for other things.
This is macOS and not iOS ...the only one still not very customisable is the iOS. macOS and even the watchOS are very good at this