Using the touchbar in the dark

[Adergaard]

Yes, I know, the heading sounds weird but stick with me.

This is a question to you who have received your MBP with a touchbar. I want to know if the following scenario is supported.

I usually use my macbook in bed for reading and watching movies. More often than not, I set the computer aside and turn off the light of the screen and the backlit keyboard and leave the sound on so I continue to listen to the tv-series or whatever it is I'm listening to as I fall asleep. Quite a few times, I want to skip over an episode which is why I love just being able to press the F9 key, that I easily find in the dark, no need to turn on my computer screen or keyboard backlight.

So here's my question: what's a way to accomplish this now i.e. controlling volume and playback, without turning on the computer screen or keyboard backlight? Is it even possible.

The "dream" scenario here would be (I guess) if the touchbar could light up separately from everything else, when touched, and maybe at a dimmed level so I could see the play and skip button etc. So, is that possible?

Thanks.

 

[cmaier]

It lights up like the keys, and in sync with the keyboard. You can't control it separately.

 

[Adergaard]

So how do you turn on/off the backlight of the keys (it is F5/F6 or my current mac)?

 

[mattopotamus]

So how do you turn on/off the backlight of the keys (it is F5/F6 or my current mac)?

correct, f5 is down and f6 is up.

 

[Adergaard]

correct, f5 is down and f6 is up.

Ehh.... how do you find them on the touchbar that is shut off?

Follow me here: Today, on a non touchbar mac, if I turn off the backlighting on the keyboard, I can still use the function keys without everything lighting up, if I have shut it off via F5.

On the new MBP with touchbar, if all keyboard lighting is shut off, how do I turn it on? The F5 key is not there anymore.

 

[geachy92]

Ehh.... how do you find them on the touchbar that is shut off?

Follow me here: Today, on a non touchbar mac, if I turn off the backlighting on the keyboard, I can still use the function keys without everything lighting up, if I have shut it off via F5.

On the new MBP with touchbar, if all keyboard lighting is shut off, how do I turn it on? The F5 key is not there anymore.

Keyboard lighting is not directly linked to touchbar being on. The keyboard can be unlit whilst the touch bar still shows you your controls.

However it will be less practical for your given use scenario of using it in the dark without looking. I do something similar and will now have to put more effort into skipping or adjusting volume when trying to sleep.

 

[mattopotamus]

Ehh.... how do you find them on the touchbar that is shut off?

Follow me here: Today, on a non touchbar mac, if I turn off the backlighting on the keyboard, I can still use the function keys without everything lighting up, if I have shut it off via F5.

On the new MBP with touchbar, if all keyboard lighting is shut off, how do I turn it on? The F5 key is not there anymore.

You would have to move the mouse, touch a key, or touch the touchbar in order for it to light up.