Does your MacBook Pro have an OLED Touch Bar along the top of the keyboard? Keep reading to learn how to customize it to your advantage. This article assumes your Mac is running macOS Ventura or later.

Touch Bar 13 Inch MacBook Pro
Since 2016, certain models of Apple's MacBook Pro have included a Touch Bar, a small touch-sensitive OLED display strip that displays virtual buttons. On MacBook Pro models that have a Touch Bar, the control strip replaces the top row of function keys, and it also has a Touch ID sensor integrated into the power button on the right.

When interacting with your Mac, you've probably noticed how the Touch Bar offers up contextual controls depending on what you're doing. You may see additional options displayed there for an app you're using, or you perhaps typing suggestions appear when you're entering text.

If the Touch Bar isn't really adding value to your Mac life, why not change its behavior? You can even switch up the layout to make it more functional. The following steps show you how it's done.

Changing the Touch Bar's Behavior

  1. Click the Apple () symbol in the menu bar and select System Settings....
  2. Scroll down the sidebar and select Keyboard.
  3. Click Touch Bar Settings....

settings

There are several changes you can make from this settings screen. Touch Bar Shows lets you switch between App Controls, Expanded Control Strip, F1, F2, etc. Keys, Quick Actions, and Spaces. The Show Control Strip toggle lets you decide whether you want access to the expandable strip of traditional Mac function key controls, which include things like volume, brightness, and media playback buttons.

settings
You can also choose what displays on the Touch Bar when you press the fn key on your keyboard, which is a convenient way of accessing more functionality. In the dropdown next to Press and hold fn key to you'll find options including App Controls, Expanded Control Strip, F1, F2, etc. Keys, Quick Actions, and Spaces. Lastly, the Show typing suggestions switch lets you toggle typing suggestions on and off.

How to Customize Your Mac's Touch Bar

There are several buttons that you can add to the OLED strip that you might find useful to have displayed above the keyboard. Here's a full list of the buttons that you can choose to have displayed on the Touch Bar:

  • Brightness Slider
  • Mission Control
  • Spotlight
  • Play/Pause
  • Volume Slider
  • Mute
  • Siri
  • Notification Center
  • Do Not Disturb
  • Night Shift
  • Screenshot
  • Dictation
  • Input Sources
  • Launchpad
  • AirPlay
  • Show Desktop
  • Screen Saver
  • Screen Lock
  • Sleep
  • Quick Actions

Customizing the control strip's displayed buttons is the best way to get the most out of the Touch Bar because you can choose the features you use the most. Here's how to go about making your selection.

  1. Click the Apple () symbol in the menu bar and select System Settings....
  2. Scroll down the sidebar and select Keyboard.
  3. Click Touch Bar Settings....

  4. Click Customize Control Strip....
  5. Drag items to the bottom of the screen to add them to the Touch Bar. To remove an item from the Touch Bar, simply drag it up.

Touch Bar

Did you know that it's possible to take a screenshot of the Touch Bar on a MacBook Pro? Click the link learn how it's done.

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...