# How can I use function keys in Macbook Pro?

**URL:** <https://linux-tips.com/t/how-can-i-use-function-keys-in-macbook-pro/43>\
**Category:** Newbie\
**Created:** [December 16, 2014, 10:10pm UTC](https://linux-tips.com/t/how-can-i-use-function-keys-in-macbook-pro/43 "2014-12-16T22:10:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![redsector](https://linux-tips.com/user_avatar/linux-tips.com/redsector/32/71_2.png) [@redsector](https://linux-tips.com/u/redsector)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 10:10pm UTC](https://linux-tips.com/t/how-can-i-use-function-keys-in-macbook-pro/43/1 "2014-12-16T22:10:59Z")

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I installed Debian Jessie on Macbook Pro. Most of the parts working properly. But when I press F1 or F2 key lcd brightness decreased or increased. If I used with while pressing fn key, functions keys works as expected.

Is there a way to change this behaviour to make functions keys works normally?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MisterNo](https://linux-tips.com/user_avatar/linux-tips.com/misterno/32/55_2.png) [@MisterNo](https://linux-tips.com/u/MisterNo)\
**Post date:** [December 16, 2014, 10:45pm UTC](https://linux-tips.com/t/how-can-i-use-function-keys-in-macbook-pro/43/2 "2014-12-16T22:45:44Z")

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Yes, you can change this behaviour with giving correct option to kernel module `hid_apple`. It has a parameter named `fnmode` which can accept following values:

**0** : disable fn key completely  
**1** : use function keys last (with pressing fn)  
**2** : use function keys first

So, using `fnmode=2` when loading hid\_apple module is what you want.

You can make this setting permanent with creating a modprobe rule in a file for example: `/etc/modprobe.d/hid_apple.conf` like this:

```
options hid_apple fnmode=2
```

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![RaskoX](https://linux-tips.com/user_avatar/linux-tips.com/raskox/32/92_2.png) [@RaskoX](https://linux-tips.com/u/RaskoX)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2020, 10:57am UTC](https://linux-tips.com/t/how-can-i-use-function-keys-in-macbook-pro/43/3 "2020-05-01T10:57:14Z")

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You can also change the settings in runtime without unloading&loading `hid_apple` module with:

```auto
$ echo 2 | sudo tee /sys/module/hid_apple/parameters/fnmode

```