I have a confession; I am in love with my MacBook Pro, especially the Touch Bar. This sleek touchscreen interface offers swift control for numerous native and third-party applications. However, it took me time to learn how to customize Touch Bar on MacBook Pro and truly leverage its potential. It’s an absolute game-changer if you know how to utilize it correctly. This guide will help demystify this feature for all those who wish to make their daily tasks more seamless.
Getting a grip on customizing the Touch Bar of your MacBook Pro could be simpler than you think. Begin by visiting the System Preferences of your device followed by exploring keyboard settings where you’ll find configuration options for controlling touch-based services offered by this laptop model. Using these settings, arrange tools according to your preference and optimize each application like Safari or Finder using dedicated features available in the touch bar configuration.
How to Customize Touch Bar on MacBook Pro?
The Touch Bar on MacBook models is a dynamic and multifunctional tool that allows users to interact with their Mac in a fluid and intuitive manner. It offers flexibility by displaying controls relevant to the current application, alongside a customizable Control Strip for quick access to common settings. Here’s how you can customize your Touch Bar to better suit your workflow:
- Access System Preferences: Begin by clicking the Apple menu at the top-left corner of your screen, then select “System Preferences.”
- Navigate to Keyboard Settings: Within System Preferences, find and click on “Keyboard” to access settings related to your MacBook’s keyboard and Touch Bar.
- Modify Touch Bar Settings: Look for an option labeled “Touch Bar shows” within the Keyboard preferences pane. Click on this dropdown menu to explore customization options.
- Choose Your Preferred Layout: You have several layout options for the Touch Bar:
- App Controls: This setting prioritizes app-specific controls which change dynamically as you switch between apps.
- Expanded Control Strip: Opting for this setting keeps the Control Strip open permanently, providing continual access without showing app-specific commands.
- Function Keys (F1, F2, etc.): Select this if you prefer using traditional Function keys over contextual buttons.
- Quick Actions: Set this option if you frequently use custom automation or shortcuts.
- Show Spaces: Enables direct manipulation of virtual desktops directly from the Touch Bar.
- Apply Changes and Close: After selecting your desired option from the dropdown menu, simply close out of System Preferences; changes are applied instantly.
Customizing your MacBook’s Touch Bar not only enhances personal productivity but also ensures that essential tools are always just a tap away regardless of what application you’re using.
Also Read: MacBook Air vs MacBook Pro: What Should You Choose?
How Do I Customize My Apple Touch Bar Control Strip?
The Touch Bar on MacBook Pros offers a dynamic control interface that allows users to customize the Control Strip according to their work habits and preferences. The Control Strip is that section of the Touch Bar that shows system controls like volume, brightness, etc., and can be personalized to include tools and shortcuts that you find most useful. Here’s how to customize it:
- Access System Preferences: Start by clicking on the Apple menu at the top-left corner of your screen. Select ‘System Preferences’, then click on ‘Keyboard’.
- Enter Customization Mode: Within the Keyboard settings window, find and click ‘Customize Control Strip’. This action will activate the customization options for your Touch Bar.
- Drag Icons To Customize: Your screen will now display various icons that can be dragged into your Touch Bar. Use your cursor to drag desired icons from the screen down into the actual Touch Bar, placing them as per your preference.
- Rearrange or Remove Icons: To adjust or remove icons from the control strip, you can either drag them around within the Touch Bar to reorder or drag them up out of the Touch Bar back onto your main display to remove them.
- Finalize Adjustments: Once you are satisfied with your custom setup of controls in the Touch bar, tap ‘Done’ either on-screen or in a button located at the end of your newly customized Control Strip itself.
Following these steps will help optimize productivity by putting essential tools right at your fingertips through Apple’s innovative hardware design.
Also Read: What Year is my MacBook Pro? Discover Its Age Easily!
FAQs
How do I remove app controls from my touch bar?
Yes, you can remove app controls from your MacBook Pro’s touch bar by going to ‘System Preferences’ and then ‘Keyboard’. Click on ‘Customize Touch Bar’ and then drag the unwanted controls upwards until they disappear.
Can I add more than one tool for a specific app in my touch bar?
Absolutely! While customizing the touch bar, you can select multiple tools related to a single application, depending on what your need is.
Is it possible to entirely disable the Touch Bar on my MacBook Pro?
Unfortunately, there isn’t an option to entirely disable the Touch Bar. However, you can customize it in such a way that only system controls are displayed.
Can I revert back to default settings after customizing my MacBook’s touch bar?
Yes, If things aren’t working as planned or if you simply just prefer Apple’s out-of-box design, restoring default settings is easily doable through the keyboard preferences menu.
Does every software application support the customization of the Touch Bar?
Some apps are designed with built-in support for Tech Bar customization while others might not offer this feature. It largely depends on the app developers.
Also Read: How to Delete Safari Reading List | Super Easy Steps
Conclusion
learning how to customize the Touch Bar on MacBook Pro gives you the edge in managing your digital spaces and enhancing productivity. This guide gives you a step-by-step walkthrough en route personalizing your Mac experience to meet your unique needs.
Not only does it make operation seamless, but it also personalizes MacBook Pro usage, giving users the power to customize app behavior on their systems. Rest assured, with this understanding and the steps I provided; you can make the most of your touch bar, customize specific apps, and even revert to default settings when the need arises.