Video Tutorial: How to Control Mac Volume vs VoiceOver Volume Via Key Commands

⌨️ Keyboard Shortcuts Mentioned in This Video:

System Volume Down: VO + MINUS (Control + Option + Minus OR Caps Lock + Minus)
System Volume Up: VO + EQUALS (Control + Option + Equals OR Caps Lock + Equals)
Open VoiceOver Quick Settings Rotor: VO + Shift + Command + Left/Right Arrow
Adjust VoiceOver Speech Volume: VO + Shift + Command + Up/Down Arrow



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Video Tutorial - How To Use Function Keys (F1 through F12) Without Having To Press The FN Key

https://youtube.com/shorts/ikU8jhXS3IY

Why Enable Standard Function Keys?

Easier Shortcuts: Access screen reader and VoiceOver navigation directly without needing the FN key.

Priority Focus: Screen brightness isn’t needed for blind users, and volume controls are still easily accessible using the `Fn` key, or VO Dash and VO Equals.

How to Turn It On in macOS (System Settings):

1. Open The Apple Menu, (`VO + M`), down arrow to System Settings, and press `Return`.

2. In System Settings, select Keyboard in the sidebar.

3. Interact with the Keyboard Scroll area and navigate to the Keyboard Shortcuts... button With VO Right Arrow and Select It with VO Space.

4. Select Function Keys from the sidebar.

5. Toggle “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys” to ON.

6. VO Right to and VO Space on Done!

---7—. You can then quit System Settings with Command Q.

Behavior After Enabling:

F1–F12 alone:** Triggers standard Key Commands and With The VO Key triggers VoiceOver shortcuts.

Fn + F1–F12:Controls system hardware (Volume, Media, Brightness).

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Below, you will find our video tutorial followed by a comprehensive quick-reference cheat sheet.

Video Tutorial: Switching From Windows Or iOS To Mac OS (Part 3: Mastering the Status Menu)

The Status Menu (Menu Extras)

The macOS menu structure spans across the very top of the screen. It is split conceptually into the main Menu Bar on the left (which changes depending on the app you are using), and the Status Menu on the right.

PlatformCounterpart NameWindows CounterpartSystem Tray / Notification Area (in the Taskbar)iOS CounterpartStatus Bar (Top of iPhone/iPad screen)

The Conceptual Difference

Similar to the Windows System Tray or the iOS Status Bar, the macOS Status Menu acts as your global cockpit. It holds permanent system status icons like Wi-Fi strength, battery percentage, date/time, Control Center, and any active background application utilities.

VoiceOver Navigation

Press VO + M twice quickly to jump the VoiceOver focus directly to the Status Menu Bar on the top right. Use VO left and right arrow keys to select items, and VO + Space to drop down a menu with options or open their dialog.

Quick Status Checks: The VO + F7 Command Cycle

For blind and visually impaired users, staying informed about system health is crucial. While you can manually navigate to the top right of the screen, Apple includes a highly convenient, multi-press keyboard command that speaks these details instantly from anywhere in the operating system: VO + F7.

1. What is the “VO” Modifier Key?

In VoiceOver terminology, “VO” refers to your VoiceOver modifier keys. You must hold down these modifier keys while pressing other keys to issue commands. By default, your VO modifier is either:

• Control + Option (held down together)

• Caps Lock (usually also enabled by default in your VoiceOver Utility settings)

For the instructions below, when you see VO, hold down either Control + Option or Caps Lock.

2. The Multi-Press Cycle

To hear status updates, hold down the VO keys and tap the F7 key. Tapping F7 multiple times in quick succession cycles through different status reports:

• Tap Once: Time and Date

  • Command: Press VO + F7 once.

  • What you hear: VoiceOver will announce the current time (e.g., “12:56 PM”). Note: Depending on your macOS version, a single press may speak both time and date, or a second press may be required to cycle to the date.

• Tap Twice: Battery Status

  • Command: Press VO + F7 twice quickly.

  • What you hear: VoiceOver will announce the battery percentage and power source (e.g., “Battery 85 percent, discharging”). Note: This status is only spoken on portable Macs like the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

• Tap Three Times: Wi-Fi / Network Status

  • Command: Press VO + F7 three times quickly.

  • What you hear: VoiceOver will announce your network connection status and signal strength (e.g., connected to HomeNetwork, signal strength 4 bars”).

Keyboard Configuration Issues

Option A: Use the Fn or Globe Key (🌐︎) Temporary Solution

By default, the top row of keys on Apple keyboards triggers hardware actions (like volume or brightness) rather than functioning as standard F1–F12 keys. To bypass these media actions on the fly, add the Fn (Function) or Globe key (bottom-left corner) to your shortcut:

• Time/Date: VO + Fn + F7 (Once)

• Battery: VO + Fn + F7 (Twice quickly)

• Wi-Fi: VO + Fn + F7 (Three times quickly)

Quick Tip: You can use Keyboard Help by pressing VO + K to safely explore your layout and locate the Fn/Globe key.

Option B: Change System Settings (Highly Recommended)

If you use VoiceOver regularly, it is highly recommended to change your system settings so the top row keys act as standard function keys by default:

1. Open the Apple Menu by pressing VO + M and selecting System Settings... (or press Command + Space, type “System Settings”, and press Return).

2. Navigate to the categories sidebar and select Keyboard.

3. Locate and select the Keyboard Shortcuts... button.

4. In the list that appears, select Function Keys from the sidebar.

5. Toggle the switch on for “Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys”.

6. Select Done to save your changes and exit.

Handling Macs with a Touch Bar

If you are using an older MacBook Pro equipped with a Touch Bar instead of physical function keys, use these methods:

• The Touch Bar Slide: Hold down the Globe/Fn key to reveal a virtual row of F-keys on the Touch Bar. Slide your finger across the surface to locate F7, and double-tap it while holding your VO keys.

• Touch Bar Numbers: Alternatively, hold down the Fn/Globe key and press the physical number 7 key on your standard number row. For example, to speak the time, hold down VO + Fn + 7.

Detailed Exploration of the Status Menu

If you ever need more detailed information—such as selecting a different Wi-Fi network, managing Bluetooth devices, or seeing which apps are using significant energy—you can interact with the status bar icons directly:

1. Press VO + M twice quickly to focus on the Status Menus in the top-right corner.

2. Use VO + Left Arrow or VO + Right Arrow to navigate between the different items (Clock, Battery, Wi-Fi, Control Center, etc.).

3. When you hear the item you want, press VO + Space to open its dropdown menu or dialog box.

4. If a dropdown menu opens, use VO + Up/Down Arrow keys to explore choices, and press VO + Space to select an option.

5. If a dialog box opens, navigate through it normally, using VO LeftArrow or Right arrow and VO Space to select options. Press Command + W to close it when finished.

6. Press Escape at any time to exit the status menus and return to your application.

Looking Ahead: Hopefully, this overview helps you master the conceptual differences between the macOS Status Menu, the Windows System Tray, and the iOS Status Bar. If you missed them, be sure to check out Finder and Desktop Basics in Part 1 and Introducing the Dock in Part 2. Next up in this series, we will dive into Main Application Menus and Window Management. Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter or YouTube channel so you don’t miss Part 4!

Below, you will find our video tutorial followed by a comprehensive quick-reference cheat sheet.

Video Tutorial: Switching From Windows Or iOS To Mac OS (Part 2: Introducing the Dock)

The Dock

The macOS Dock is a highly visible utility strip located at the bottom (or side) of your screen that offers quick access to your favorite and currently open applications.

Platform

Counterpart Name

Windows Counterpart

Windows Taskbar

iOS Counterpart

iOS / iPadOS Dock

The Conceptual Difference

Unlike the Windows taskbar, the macOS Dock is uniquely divided into three distinct sections separated by visual (and screen-reader accessible) dividers:

• Permanently Pinned Applications: The first section contains application shortcuts that are pinned to the dock by default in macOS, or that you have explicitly pinned to the Dock (e.g., Finder, Safari, Mail).

• Active & Recent Applications: The middle section dynamically displays applications that are currently running but not permanently pinned to the Dock, as well as recently used apps.

• Pinned Folders, Files, and the Trash: The final section (to the right of the divider) holds minimized windows, pinned directories (like your Downloads folder), and the Trash.

VoiceOver Shortcut And Key Commands

Press VO + D to instantly jump VoiceOver focus to the Dock from any open application.

Use the Left and Right Arrow keys to navigate through these three sections. When focused on a Dock item, VoiceOver will announce the app name and its status (like “running”). You can press VO + Space or Return to open any of the apps on the Dock.

Looking Ahead: There will be a much more in-depth look at customizing and managing your Dock layout in a future post! Hopefully, this overview helps you master the structural differences between the Mac Dock and the taskbar. If you haven’t yet, learn about Finder and Desktop Basics in Part 1. Next up in this series, we will take a look at the Menu Bar and Status Menus. Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter or YouTube channel so you don’t miss Part 3!

Below, you will find our video tutorial followed by a comprehensive quick-reference cheat sheet.

Video Tutorial: Switching From Windows Or iOS To Mac OS For Blind Users (Part 1: Finder And Desktop Basics)

The macOS Desktop

The macOS Desktop serves as the background layer of your workspace. It can house files, folders, and by default shows all your connected volumes or drives. Your Internal drive and any connected external drives will be displayed on the Desktop. Unlike the iOS Home Screen, your installed apps are not displayed on the Desktop. A similar view to the Home Screen can be found on the Dock by using LaunchPad ( in Mac OS 15 or earlier), or Apps (in Mac OS 26 or later).

Platform

Counterpart Name

Windows Counterpart

Windows Desktop

iOS Counterpart

Home Screen

• VoiceOver Key Command: Press VO + Shift + D to move the VoiceOver focus directly to the Desktop from any open application.

• Quick Tip: “VO” refers to your VoiceOver modifier keys (Control + Option or the Caps Lock key). I generally recommend going into your VoiceOver utility settingsand switching VoiceOver to use only the Caps Lock key. You can use the VO key with the arrow keys to browse through your desktop icons, and use VO Space or Command Down Arrow to open the selected drive, folder or file.

The Finder

The Finder is the default file manager on macOS. It is always running in the background and is used to browse files, launch applications, and manage system folders.

Platform

Counterpart Name

Windows Counterpart

Windows Explorer / File Explorer

iOS Counterpart

Files App

When focused in Finder, use these essential directory shortcuts to instantly jump to specific locations:

• Command + Shift + A: Go to the Applications folder

• Command + Shift + O: Go to the Documents folder

• Command + Option + L: Go to the Downloads folder

• Command + Shift + H: Go to your Home folder (user directory)

• Command + Shift + U: Go to the Utilities folder

I recommend using Finder in columns view, not list view. You can put Finder in columns view with Command 3. Once in any of these folders, you can navigate through them with up or Down Arrows. You can use Left Arrow to leave a Folder or Right Arrow to go into a folder. You can also use Vo Space or Command Down arrow to open any file or folder in finder.

Macintosh HD & Volume Management

In the macOS file system architecture, the primary storage drive is typically named “Macintosh HD”. Unlike Windows, which assigns hard-coded drive letters to storage units (such as the C: drive or D: drive), macOS manages storage units as independent volumes.

Platform

Counterpart Name

Windows Counterpart

Local Disk (C: Drive)

• The Conceptual Difference: Mac drives are identified solely by their designated volume names (e.g., “Macintosh HD”, “External Backup”) rather than drive letters.

• VoiceOver Navigation: All mounted drives and volumes are visible on the Desktop or within the “Computer” view. Pressing Command + Shift + C in Finder brings you to the top-level Computer view where all connected volumes are listed. This is the direct equivalent to “My Computer” or “This PC” on Windows.

Command Tab Is Like Alt TAB

If you have many applications open, you can use Command TAB to switch between all your opened applications. This is similar and coincidentally the same place on the apple keyboard as Alt TAB is on a windows keyboard.

File Properties (Get Info)

To view metadata, modify sharing permissions, change default applications, or inspect the file size of a selected file or folder, macOS uses the Get Info panel.

Platform

Counterpart Name

Windows Counterpart

Properties (Alt + Enter)

iOS Counterpart

Info Option (Long press / Double tap and hold in Files app)

• VoiceOver Navigation: Select any file or folder in Finder and press Command + I to instantly display the Get Info panel. VoiceOver will automatically focus on the newly opened Info window. You can navigate through the metadata panes with VO + Left Arrow or VO + Right Arrow, and close the window with Command + W when you are done.

Go to Folder vs. Run Dialog

For power users who need to navigate to hidden directories or deep file paths, the Go to Folder dialogue box provides a quick command-line-like directory portal.

Platform

Counterpart Name

Windows Counterpart

The “Run” Dialog box (Windows + R)

• How to open it: Press Command + Shift + G while focused in Finder to open the “Go to Folder” prompt.

• Finding Hidden Folders (The %AppData% Equivalent): Just like entering %AppData% in the Windows Run dialog to open hidden application configurations, you can type ~/Library in the Mac’s “Go to Folder” input field to directly access your hidden user library folder.

Looking Ahead: There will be a much more in-depth tutorial on the Finder in a future post as there is a lot to cover! Hopefully, this overview helps you master the conceptual differences between Mac, Windows, and iOS. Next up in this series, we will take a look at The Dock. Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter or YouTube channel so you don’t miss Part 2!

This tutorial explains the things you need to know to start using the Mac. Like the many ways to turn on VoiceOver, What the VO keys are and how to use them, how To use the Function keys if you have a Touch Bar, How to quickly adjust the Volume, and basic VoiceOver Navigation.

Want to work with me one on one and get some Mac OS and VoiceOver training? Visit https://www.theblindmac.pro/services

Today, lets see if we can’t demystify this feature of VoiceOver and unlock some of the power behind it to make using your Mac a smoother and more efficient experience. Learn how Quick Nav is more than just a way to use VoiceOver one handed. It can get quite powerful and flexible and we’ll cover it all in this tutorial.

Also if you would like to set your VO key to only be CapsLock like I recommend, see How To Set VoiceOver TO Use CapsLock Only For Blind mac OS Users.

Want to work with me one on one and get some Mac OS and VoiceOver training? Visit the services page.

Interested in Learning how to use Apple’s Logic Pro? Join TheBlindLogicPro newsletter and get your free Getting Started With Logic course!

Join the LogicBand Community Discord server for TheBlindMacPro and TheBlindLogicPro at

Want to work with me one on one and get some Mac OS and VoiceOver training? Check out the services page.

If you would like to see how to make VoiceOver use Caps Lock for the VO Key Globally and not only in Logic, see this tutorial.

If you are on mac OS 14 Sonoma or earlier, see this tutorial.