Apple still insists it has no interest in multitouch screens on its Mac line — that's what the iPad is for, after all. But that doesn't mean multitouch can't have a place on the Mac. The Touch Bar (currently available on the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pro) is a touch-based OLED bar that replaces the row of function keys on your keyboard. Depending on which app is active on your screen, the bar's options change to reflect the best controls for that program. The Touch Bar also includes a Touch ID sensor on its right side, integrated into the Power button, which adds quick account switching and Apple Pay authorization to your Mac.
If you just picked up a new MacBook Pro with Touch Bar support, we've put together an ultimate guide for all your multitouch controlling needs.
Which Macs get the Touch Bar?
There may be an OLED panel for every Mac keyboard, laptop, and desktop in the future, but for now, only the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros sport the Touch Bar.
How can I get my hands on it (literally)?
You can find the best discounts on MacBooks Pro models from Apple resellers such as Best Buy and Amazon. When no deals are available, get one from Apple. Before making a purchase, be sure to check out our favorite MacBook models of the year.
How does it work?
There is a small strip at the top of the screen that features a light-up panel with different options, depending on what you are doing on your Mac. For example, if you're using Safari, it will show you navigation controls and favorite websites. If you are checking your email, it will show you mail actions like replying or flagging.
On the right side, Apple offers a stationary Control Strip, which offers quick access to system features like Brightness, Volume, Siri, and more. To the left, the Touch Bar offers contextual functions that change from app to app. Not only is the Touch Bar completely multitouch, it can support up to 10 simultaneous inputs (one for every finger), enabling many potential creative options in third-party apps
The Touch ID button has replaced the Power button as the best way to turn on and authorize your Mac. It's located to the far right of the Touch Bar and connect to the Mac's T2 Secure Enclave chip, which encrypts your fingerprint and keeps it offline. You can use it to log into your account on your Mac, or pay for purchases using Apple Pay on the Web. You can add and name up to three fingerprints per account, or five fingerprints total.
Everything you can do with the Touch Bar
We dug deep to find out everything you can do with the Touch Bar in different built-in and third-party apps. Here's everything we know about what you can do with the Touch Bar in different apps so far.
Everything you can do with the MacBook Pro's Touch Bar
How to customize the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro
With your Mac's Touch Bar, you can control a wide variety of settings and tools within macOS, as well as built-in and third-party apps. Many of these controls are customizable, including the Control Strip, allowing you to add or remove tools to create a better workflow for your daily usage. Here's how.
How to customize the Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro
How to use Touch ID on your MacBook Pro
Apple's new Touch Bar MacBook Pro models offer support for Touch ID, the company's fingerprint-based authentication system. If you own a recent iPhone, you've likely used Touch ID: It's Apple's built-in privacy system for unlocking your device and authorizing Apple Pay. Here's how to set it up on your Mac!
How to use Touch ID on your MacBook Pro
How to add a physical Escape Key to MacBook Pro with Touch Bar prior to 2019
If you have a MacBook Pro released in 2018 or older, it doesn't come with a dedicated physical Escape key (though it is always there when you need it in the Touch Bar). If you have a strong desire to press a key instead of tapping the leftmost corner of the Touch Bar panel, or worse, having to perform two steps in order to use the escape key (click on the desktop, then tap escape), there is a solution. You can reassign the caps lock key to be used as the escape key.
How to have your Touch Bar and an Esc key on the new MacBook Pro
How to use the Touch Bar with Windows on the MacBook Pro
The Touch Bar only uses rich, contextual functions while in macOS Sierra and later. However, if you happen to have Windows installed on your partitioned hard drive using Boot Camp, the Touch Bar will default to the traditional row of function keys F1 - F12.
How to use the Touch Bar with Windows on the MacBook Pro
How to make the function keys the default Touch Bar display
In some apps, all you need are the function keys. You can set them as the default Touch Bar display in some apps, making it so you only ever see F1 - F12 at the top of the keyboard.
How to make the function keys the default Touch Bar display
How to take a screenshot with the Touch Bar
Taking a screenshot on your Mac is as simple as hitting Command + Shift + 3 or 4 at the same time. The MacBook Pro with Touch Bar puts all the features right on your keyboard so you can get the perfect shot exactly the way you want it.
How to screenshot with the Touch Bar
How to use the Touch Bar with the built-in Mac apps
Each app that supports the Touch Bar offers different functionality. Some have deeply integrated tools, while others spotlight the most useful tools of an app. Here's how to use the Touch Bar with the Mac's built-in apps.
- How to use the Touch Bar with the Mail app
- How to use the Touch Bar with the Calendar app
- How to use the Touch Bar with Reminders
- How to use the Touch Bar with the Notes app
- How to use the Touch Bar with the Contacts app
- How to use the Touch Bar with FaceTime
- How to use the Touch Bar with the Mac App Store
- How to use the Touch Bar with Preview
How to use the Touch Bar with an iPad and an older Mac
Since the Touch Bar was first announced, developers have been working on creative ways to use it. Duet Display has a feature on its screen mirroring app that lets non-Touch Bar Macs simulate the experience with a virtual Touch Bar.
How to use the Touch Bar with an iPad and an older Mac
How to disable the Touch Bar's contextual tools
Shortly after its launch, the Touch Bar was banned from some examinations because educators were concerned with not being able to control what they see on student's computers. If, for any reason, you need to disable the in-app contextual tools on your MacBook Pro's Touch Bar, you can.
Awesome Touch Bar apps you won't find in the App Store
Apple has strict guidelines for what the Touch Bar should be used for, but that hasn't stopped developers from creating all manner of useless, fun apps and games that you can play right on your Touch Bar. If you're willing to download apps from unidentified developers, you can really get a lot out of the Touch Bar on your MacBook Pro.
Awesome Touch Bar apps you won't find in the App Store
Best Touch Bar apps for MacBook Pro
The new MacBook Pro's Touch Bar is a fascinating and game-changing new feature that allows you to interact with your MacBook like never before. You'll be able to use it for all manner of built-in apps, but there will be a ton of third-party apps with Touch Bar support as well. Here are the best apps with Touch Bar support so far!
Questions?
Let us know below.
Updated November 2020: Updated for the new MacBook Pro.
