Remap Mac Modifier Keys: Change Command, Option and Control

You can remap modifier keys on a Mac in macOS Settings: open Keyboard, choose Keyboard Shortcuts, then select Modifier Keys. Pick the keyboard you want to change and assign a different action to Command, Option, Control, or Caps Lock; the change applies to that keyboard, not necessarily every keyboard connected to your Mac.

What modifier keys do

Modifier keys change what another key does when you press them together. On a Mac, the main modifiers are Command (⌘), Option (⌥), Control (⌃), and Shift (⇧); Caps Lock can also be assigned as a modifier in the settings panel. For example, Command+C copies selected content, while Option+Command+Esc opens the Force Quit window.

Changing a modifier is useful if you are moving between a Mac and a Windows keyboard, prefer a different layout, or find a particular key awkward to reach. It changes the key’s role in shortcuts; it does not alter the printed label on a key or change the layout of letters and symbols.

Change modifier keys in macOS

1. Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings. On older macOS versions, open System Preferences.
2. Select Keyboard.
3. Choose Keyboard Shortcuts, then select Modifier Keys in the sidebar or list.
4. Use the keyboard selector to choose the built-in keyboard or the connected keyboard you want to configure.
5. Open the menu beside a key, such as Command Key, and select its new action. Choose No Action to disable that key’s modifier function.
6. Select Done or close the settings window. Test the change in an app where you can safely try a familiar shortcut.

The exact arrangement of the Keyboard settings can vary between macOS releases. If the labels differ slightly, look within Keyboard for Keyboard Shortcuts and its Modifier Keys controls. You generally do not need to restart the Mac.

Choose a mapping that fits your keyboard

A common adjustment is swapping Command and Control for someone who expects Windows-style shortcuts. On many Windows keyboards, the key marked Ctrl is near the lower-left corner, while Mac keyboard shortcuts commonly use Command there. If you assign the Mac’s Control action to the physical Control key and Command action to another key, shortcuts may feel more familiar—but check where the keys sit on your particular keyboard.

Another common case involves a third-party keyboard whose physical key positions or labels differ from Apple’s. Choose the keyboard explicitly in the Modifier Keys panel, then map its physical keys according to where your fingers naturally fall. A mapping that is comfortable on an external keyboard may be inconvenient on a MacBook’s built-in keyboard.

• Keep Command in a familiar place if you rely on standard Mac shortcuts such as Command+S to save.
• Consider Option separately: it is used for alternate characters and many app-specific shortcuts.
• Be cautious with Caps Lock: assigning it another role can be convenient, but may surprise you if you expect it to capitalize text.
• Leave Shift alone unless you have a specific reason; this panel’s available mappings focus on modifier behavior and do not provide a general-purpose remapping system for every key.

Built-in settings versus remapping apps

The built-in Modifier Keys panel is the simplest choice when you only want to change Command, Option, Control, or Caps Lock. It is integrated with macOS, lets you configure keyboards individually, and does not require a separate utility.

Third-party keyboard utilities may offer more elaborate remapping, such as changing ordinary keys, creating layers, or applying rules to particular apps. Those features go beyond the built-in control. Before using one, check that it supports your macOS version and keyboard, review the permissions it requests, and download it only from a source you trust. A utility may need accessibility-related permissions to detect or change keyboard input. If you only need to swap two modifier keys, start with macOS settings.

Common problems and how to undo a change

The change does not affect the keyboard I am using. Reopen Modifier Keys and check the keyboard selector. Settings can be specific to a selected keyboard, so changing the built-in keyboard does not necessarily change an external one.

The key still seems to do its old job. Test the mapping in a standard shortcut in another app, and make sure you are pressing the physical key you changed. Some apps define their own shortcuts, and some keyboards have extra keys or built-in configuration software that can affect behavior.

I cannot find Modifier Keys. Search System Settings for “Modifier Keys,” or navigate through Keyboard and Keyboard Shortcuts. Older macOS releases use System Preferences rather than System Settings, and the controls may be arranged differently.

I want to restore the original behavior. Return to the same panel, select the relevant keyboard, and choose the default action for each changed key. If you are unsure which key was changed, inspect each menu rather than resetting settings elsewhere.

A modifier remap is not the same as changing the input source. Input sources control how character keys produce letters and symbols; modifier remapping changes the role of modifier keys. If the problem is a swapped punctuation mark or a different letter layout, check Keyboard settings for input sources instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swap Command and Control on a Mac?
Yes. Open Keyboard Shortcuts, choose Modifier Keys, select the keyboard, then assign the desired actions to Command and Control. Check the physical key positions before choosing the mapping.

Can I remap modifier keys on an external keyboard?
Yes, when macOS recognizes the keyboard in the Modifier Keys selector. Select that keyboard before changing its assignments; the built-in keyboard may have separate settings.

Can I make Caps Lock act like Control?
Yes. In Modifier Keys, choose Control for Caps Lock. You can also select another offered modifier action or No Action.

Will remapping change keyboard shortcuts in every app?
It changes how macOS interprets the selected physical modifier key, so shortcuts using that key can behave differently across apps. Apps may also have their own shortcut settings or special behavior.

How do I reset modifier keys to default?
Open the Modifier Keys panel for the keyboard you changed and restore each menu to its original key assignment. Repeat for any other keyboard configured separately.

Can I remap any key using this setting?
No. The built-in panel is for modifier keys, not a general remapper for letters, function keys, or arbitrary combinations. More extensive changes require a compatible third-party utility.

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