Touch Bar

A feature available on some Mac computers. You can use familiar gestures – like tap, swipe or slide – directly on the Touch Bar to adjust settings, use Siri, access function keys and do tasks in apps.

A keyboard with the Touch Bar across the top; Touch ID is located at the right end of the Touch Bar.

The Touch Bar includes Touch ID, which lets you unlock your Mac and some password-protected items, use Apple Pay to make purchases on the web, and purchase items from the iTunes Store, the App Store, and Apple Books.

The Control Strip, at the right end of the Touch Bar, lets you adjust common settings – like brightness and volume – and ask Siri. You can expand the Control Strip to access additional settings and features, such as Mission Control and Launchpad.

The Touch Bar with buttons that vary by app or task on the left and the collapsed Control Strip on the right.

The other buttons in the Touch Bar depend on the app you’re using or the task you’re doing. For example, here’s how the Touch Bar looks when you write an email in the Mail app:

The Touch Bar with buttons from the Mail app that include – from left to right – Emoji, Colours, Bold, Italic, Underline, Alignment, Lists and Typing Suggestions.

See the Apple Support article How to use the Touch Bar on your MacBook Pro.