How to Use the OLED Touch Screen Bar on a Mac

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Find the system functions.

   The system functions on the OLED Touch Bar will almost always be present on the right side, in a section referred to as the Control Strip. ,,,,, Tap it again to unmute it., This will launch Siri and allow you to use voice commands., You'll see other commonly-used system functions appear, such as keyboard brightness and playback controls., This will take you to the previous location or the location you just came from., This will display a new set of options in the Touch Bar.
   
   You can tap how you want icons displayed, as well as the sorting order., This will display the items in your Quick Look folder., This button looks like a square with an arrow coming out of the top.
   
   You'll see all of the different sharing options appear, including Mail, Messages, AirDrop, Notes, and any other app that supports file sharing.
   
   Swipe left and right to see more options.
   
   Tapping a sharing option will open that app with the selected files added for sharing.
   
   The Share button is not available unless files are selected. , This allows you to color code your files and folders for easy identification., This will close any open submenu in the Touch Bar and return to the Finder navigation menu., This bar appears whenever a new tab is opened.
   
   Tap the "X" to close the list of favorites., This will take you to your previous page or the page that you just came back from., This will perform the search using Safari's default search engine.,, This button appears in apps that support emoji characters, notably Mail and Messages., You'll see this on the left side of the Touch Bar.,,,, Most apps that support the Touch Bar will also allow you to customize which buttons appear on it.
   
   This goes for Apple apps as well as third-party apps.,,,,,,,,, You'll find this in the upper-left corner of the screen.,,,,,,,,, You'll see your cursor appear in the Touch Bar when you move it to the bottom of the screen.,, You'll see this on the left side of the Touch Bar., You'll find this in the upper-left corner of the screen.,, If you don't see this option, click the Show All button at the top of the window.
   
   The icon is a grid with 12 dots.,,,,, Make sure you move your finger slightly each time so that the scanner can read all angles., You can use your fingerprint to unlock your Mac, enable Apple Pay in Safari, and authorize purchases in the iTunes and App Stores., Once enabled, you can unlock your Mac from the login screen by simply placing your finger on the Touch ID sensor.
2. 2

   Step 2: Press and hold the Brightness button.

3. 3

   Step 3: Drag your finger left and right to adjust the brightness.

4. 4

   Step 4: Press and hold the Volume button.

5. 5

   Step 5: Drag your finger left and right to adjust the volume.

6. 6

   Step 6: Tap the Mute button to mute your Mac.

7. 7

   Step 7: Tap the Siri button to start Siri.

8. 8

   Step 8: Tap the < button to expand the system functions.

9. 9

   Step 9: Tap the < and > buttons to move back and forth.

10. 10

    Step 10: Tap the Sort button to change the sorting.

11. 11

    Step 11: Tap the Eye button to open Quick Look.

12. 12

    Step 12: Tap the Share button to share your selected files.

13. 13

    Step 13: Tap the Tag button to add tags to files and folders.

14. 14

    Step 14: Tap the X to close.

15. 15

    Step 15: Tap a favorite website to load it.

16. 16

    Step 16: Tap the < and > to go back and forth.

17. 17

    Step 17: Tap the Search bar to enter a search or website address.

18. 18

    Step 18: Tap the New Tab button to open another tab.

19. 19

    Step 19: Tap the Smiley button.

20. 20

    Step 20: Tap the Category button.

21. 21

    Step 21: Tap the category of emoji that you want to browse.

22. 22

    Step 22: Swipe left and right to view the available characters.

23. 23

    Step 23: Tap an emoji to add it to whatever you're typing.

24. 24

    Step 24: Open the app that you want to customize the Touch Bar for.

25. 25

    Step 25: Click the View menu.

26. 26

    Step 26: Click Customize Touch Bar.

27. 27

    Step 27: Click and hold an item you want to add.

28. 28

    Step 28: Drag the held item to the bottom of the screen.

29. 29

    Step 29: Drag the item left and right in the Touch Bar.

30. 30

    Step 30: Place the item on the Touch Bar in the desired location.

31. 31

    Step 31: Click and drag an item out of the Touch Bar to remove it.

32. 32

    Step 32: Tap Done in the Touch Bar when you're finished customizing.

33. 33

    Step 33: Click the Apple menu.

34. 34

    Step 34: Click System Preferences.

35. 35

    Step 35: Click Keyboard.

36. 36

    Step 36: Click the Keyboard tab.

37. 37

    Step 37: Click Customize Control Strip.

38. 38

    Step 38: Click and hold an item that you want to add.

39. 39

    Step 39: Drag the item to the bottom of the screen.

40. 40

    Step 40: Continue dragging until it appears in the Touch Bar.

41. 41

    Step 41: Release the mouse when it is in the desired position.

42. 42

    Step 42: Move your cursor to the Touch Bar to remove items.

43. 43

    Step 43: Click and hold an item in the Touch Bar you want to remove.

44. 44

    Step 44: Drag the item to the trash.

45. 45

    Step 45: Click the Apple menu.

46. 46

    Step 46: Click System Preferences.

47. 47

    Step 47: Click Touch ID.

48. 48

    Step 48: Click Add a fingerprint.

49. 49

    Step 49: Type your account password.

50. 50

    Step 50: Place your finger on the Touch ID sensor when prompted.

51. 51

    Step 51: Lift and place again in a slightly different position.

52. 52

    Step 52: Repeat placing your finger until the scan is complete.

53. 53

    Step 53: Click the checkboxes for the services you want to use.

54. 54

    Step 54: Unlock your Mac with your fingerprint.

Detailed Guide

About the Author