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Have you ever tried typing with one hand? Or maybe you have difficulty pressing multiple keys simultaneously? These are some instances where keyboard settings such as sticky keys can come in handy. Sticky keys is a feature in most operating systems, including macOS, that helps users with physical disabilities or those who have difficulty typing. With sticky keys enabled, you can press keyboard shortcuts one key at a time instead of having to hold down multiple keys simultaneously. This can be a helpful accommodation for individuals with weakness or disabilities, and can also be useful for those who want to reduce strain on their hands and wrists. In this blog post, we will show you how to enable sticky keys on your Mac in different ways.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Enable Sticky Keys on Mac
There are several reasons why you may want to enable sticky keys on your Mac:
1. Accessibility: Sticky keys is an accessibility feature, making it easier for people with physical disabilities to use a computer.
2. Ergonomics: If you suffer from repetitive strain injury (RSI), arthritis, or other hand or wrist injuries, you may find it difficult to press multiple keys at the same time. Enabling sticky keys can help reduce the strain.
3. Convenience: Even if you don’t have any disabilities or injuries, sticky keys can be a convenient feature when you need to press a lot of keyboard shortcuts at once.
Method 1: Enable Sticky Keys using Keyboard Preferences
Enabling sticky keys from the keyboard preferences is the easiest way to do it.
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences."
2. Select "Keyboard."
3. Click on the "Accessibility" tab.
4. Click on the "Enable Sticky Keys" checkbox.
5. Adjust the options as needed. By default, you can turn sticky keys on or off by pressing the shift key five times in a row. You can also change the sound that plays when sticky keys are turned on or off.
6. Close the window.
Pros:
– Easy to enable
– Can customize sticky keys options
Cons:
– No visible indicator when sticky keys are enabled
Method 2: Enable Sticky Keys using Accessibility Shortcut
The accessibility shortcut is a feature that allows you to quickly access accessibility options by pressing a key combination.
1. Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences."
2. Select "Keyboard."
3. Click on the "Shortcuts" tab.
4. Click on "Accessibility" in the left sidebar.
5. Check the box next to "Accessibility shortcuts" if it isn’t already checked.
6. Click on "Sticky Keys" to select it.
7. Press the key combination that you want to use to turn sticky keys on or off. By default, it is set to press the "Command" key three times in a row.
8. Close the window.
Pros:
– One-click access to sticky keys
– Customizable key combination
Cons:
– Cannot customize sticky keys options
Method 3: Enable Sticky Keys using Terminal
If you prefer using commands, you can also enable sticky keys using Terminal.
1. Open Terminal (you can find it in Applications > Utilities or by using Spotlight)
2. Type the following command: defaults write com.apple.universalaccess slowKey -int 1 and press Enter.
3. Type the following command: defaults write com.apple.universalaccess stickyKey -int 1 and press Enter.
4. Type the following command: defaults write com.apple.universalaccess stickyKeyBeep -bool true and press Enter. This will turn on the beep sound when sticky keys are turned on or off.
5. Close Terminal.
Pros:
– Complete control over sticky keys options
– Easier for power users to use
Cons:
– Can be error-prone if commands are typed incorrectly
Method 4: Enable Sticky Keys using third-party software, KeyRemap4MacBook
KeyRemap4MacBook is a third-party software that allows you to remap your keyboard keys. Besides changing the keyboard layout, it also includes sticky keys as an option.
1. Download and install KeyRemap4MacBook on your Mac.
2. Open KeyRemap4MacBook.
3. Click on "Misc & Uninstall" tab in the sidebar.
4. Click on "Open private.xml" button to open the file with code
5. Copy the following code into the private.xml file:
"`
__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::SPACE, KeyCode::VK_SHIFT, VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE
__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::SPACE, KeyCode::VK_SHIFT, VK_OPTION | VK_SHIFT, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | VK_SHIFT, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | VK_SHIFT, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | VK_SHIFT, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE
__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::S, ModifierFlag::SHIFT_L | ModifierFlag::CONTROL_L | ModifierFlag::OPTION_L | ModifierFlag::COMMAND_L, KeyCode::VK_SHIFT, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE, KeyCode::VK_OPTION | ModifierFlag::NONE
"`
6. Save the file and close it.
7. Go back to KeyRemap4MacBook and click on the "Reload XML" button to apply changes.
8. Click on the "Change Key" tab in the sidebar and search for "Sticky Keys" from the list on the right.
9. Check the box next to it to enable.
10. Close KeyRemap4MacBook.
Pros:
– Full customization of sticky keys
– Can also remap other keys
Cons:
– Requires installation of third-party software
– May not be user-friendly for some users
What to Do If You Can’t Enable Sticky Keys on Mac
If sticky keys is not working on your Mac, here are some things you can try:
– Check if sticky keys are enabled in Keyboard Preferences.
– Check if the correct key combination is used to turn sticky keys on or off.
– Restart your Mac.
– Try another method of enabling sticky keys, such as using Terminal or KeyRemap4MacBook.
– Update your macOS to the latest version.
Bonus Tips
1. If the beep sound when sticky keys are turned on or off is too loud, you can turn it off in Keyboard Preferences.
2. You can adjust the delay time for sticky keys under Keyboard Preferences > Accessibility > Sticky Keys > Options.
3. If you want to turn on other accessibility features such as mouse keys or slow keys, you can find them under Keyboard Preferences > Accessibility.
5 FAQs
Q1: How do I turn sticky keys off on Mac?
A: To turn off sticky keys on your Mac, you can either uncheck the "Enable Sticky Keys" checkbox in Keyboard Preferences or use the key combination that you set up to turn it off.
Q2: How do I know if sticky keys are turned on?
A: There is no visible indicator when sticky keys are turned on. However, you will hear a beep sound when you turn it on or off.
Q3: Can I use sticky keys with a wireless keyboard?
A: Yes, sticky keys can be used with both wired and wireless keyboards.
Q4: Is there a way to turn on sticky keys for only certain applications?
A: Unfortunately, there is no built-in way to turn on sticky keys for only certain applications. However, you can use a third-party software such as KeyRemap4MacBook to remap your keys for certain applications.
Q5: Can I customize the key combination to turn sticky keys on or off?
A: Yes, you can customize the key combination under Keyboard Preferences > Shortcuts > Accessibility > Sticky Keys.
Final Thoughts
Enabling sticky keys on your Mac can be a helpful accessibility feature for those with physical disabilities or hand and wrist injuries. It can also be a convenience for those who want to reduce strain on their hands and wrists. There are several ways to enable sticky keys on your Mac, including using Keyboard Preferences, Accessibility Shortcut, Terminal, and third-party software like KeyRemap4MacBook. Each method has its pros and cons depending on your needs and level of technical skills. Whichever method you choose, make sure to customize the options to your liking and try out the different accessibility features available in macOS to enhance your overall computing experience.