Ctrl shortcuts on a Mac use the Command key

Why it happens

On a Mac, nearly every shortcut lives on Command, the key next to the space bar. The Mac does have a Control key, near the bottom-left next to the Globe (fn) key, but it has a different job. Your fingers just need a few days to learn the new spot.

How to fix it

1. Find Command (⌘), right beside the space bar. Use it with the same letters you know: C copies, V pastes, X cuts, A selects everything and F finds.

2. Save with Command-S, print with Command-P, and undo with Command-Z. To redo, press Shift-Command-Z.

3. Open a new window with Command-N, a new tab with Command-T, and close one with Command-W.

4. Use the Control key (⌃) for right-clicking: hold it and click to see the shortcut menu for whatever is under the pointer.

5. Option (⌥) is the Mac's Alt key. Hold it to type extra symbols, or to reveal hidden choices in some menus.

Still not fixed?

1. Using a Windows keyboard and the keys feel in the wrong place? Open Keyboard, then Keyboard Shortcuts…, then Modifier Keys, choose that keyboard and swap Option and Command.

   Keyboard›Keyboard Shortcuts…›Modifier Keys

2. To right-click without holding Control, set up a two-finger click in Trackpad, under Point & Click, Secondary click.

   Trackpad›Point & Click›Secondary click

3. If you forget a shortcut, open the app's menus at the top of the screen. Every shortcut is listed next to its command.

4. If Command or Control doesn't respond at all, try a different keyboard. If it's the MacBook's own keyboard that fails, that's hardware: contact Apple Support or a repair shop.