The Alt and Option keys have similar (but not identical) functions, which is why some Mac keyboards label the key with both “Option” and “Alt.” Macs have Option keys next to the Command keys.

PC and Linux keyboards have Alt keys, typically positioned on either side of the Space Bar. PC and Linux keyboards do not have Command keys. On a Mac keyboard, Cmd + C does the same thing.

On a PC keyboard, for example, Ctrl + C copies a selection. You can swap Command and Control to achieve the same effect in many cases. They’re used for keyboard shortcuts, similar to how the Control (Ctrl) key works on Linux and PC keyboards.

You’re out of function keys to assign actions to: Start using modifier keys like Option and Command with the function keys to double or triple their usage.Mac keyboards feature two Command (Cmd) keys, one on each side of the Space Bar.

You can also use BetterTouchTool to trigger other keyboard shortcuts. This can solve the problem where, say, an app insists that you use a function key only with a modifier.

You can’t assign function keys to certain actions: Install BetterTouchTool, the ultimate Mac productivity app.

Or create a new Quick Action in Automator that’s just the Launch Application action and assign that file a shortcut from within Services in the settings pane in Keyboard System Preferences.

You want to launch an app with a function key, but you can’t do so from System Preferences: Visit the Preferences pane of the app you want to launch and program the shortcut from there.

The key is already in use: You can disable or remap the shortcut for the clashing action, then map that function key to the new action.

You might run into a few problems while remapping function keys, but there are workarounds for them:

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