What keys can I use as my shortcut?

Your keyboard shortcuts should follow this basic format: Modifier key + regular key

Modifier key

Your shortcut should use at least one modifier key:

• ⌘ (Command)
• ⌃ (Control)
• ⇧ (Shift)
• ⌥ (Option—must be combined with ⌘ or ⌃)

You can use as many modifier keys as you'd like.

Regular key

Then use a regular key (M, J, 2, Space, etc) after your modifier key(s).

Example shortcuts

• ⌘⇧M (Command + Shift + M)
• ⌃Space (Control + Space)

Can I use the function (fn) key to mute my Mac?

Yes, but it requires a workaround.

Technically, the fn key on a MacBook keyboard is actually a special key that isn’t available for general use.

If you'd like to use it, you can try using BetterTouchTool or Karabiner Elements to customise your keyboard behaviour, mapping the fn to another key that Mic Drop supports.

Can I use the microphone button (F5) on my MacBook?

Yes, you can! You'll need to use an app like Karabiner Elements to remap your F5 key. Mic Drop can’t listen for just a function key on its own due to restrictions in macOS.

Here's how you do it:

1. Install Karabiner Elements.
2. Click on the “Complex Modifications” tab.
3. Click the “Add your own rule” button.
4. Paste the following into the text field:

{
    "description": "Use F5 key for Mic Drop",
    "manipulators": [
        {
            "from": {
                "key_code": "f5",
                "modifiers": {}
            },
            "to": [
                {
                    "key_code": "m",
                    "modifiers": ["left_command", "left_shift"]
                }
            ],
            "type": "basic"
        }
    ]
}

Make sure your Mic Drop keyboard shortcut is set to its default value of Command + Shift + M. Now you can tap the microphone icon to toggle your mute state! ✨

Using other Function keys

If you'd like to use another function key (F3, F10, etc), you can follow the guide for the F5 key above, but just replace "key_code": "f5" with whatever function key you want to use.

When running on older versions of macOS, Mic Drop could use function keys directly. Unfortunately, due to changes in macOS 15 this is no longer allowed by Apple.

Why can’t I use Option as a single modifier anymore?

This is a limitation imposed by Apple since macOS Sequoia (macOS 15).

You’ll need to use the Option key with another modifier key like ⌘ or ⌃ , or use a non-sandboxed app like Karabiner Elements to build a custom shortcut.

What happened to double-tap shortcuts from Mic Drop 1.0?

The original version of Mic Drop had built-in support for “double-tapping” the Control/Option/Command keys to toggle your microphone. This feature was the reason Mic Drop 1.0 asked for Input Monitoring permissions on macOS.

For Mic Drop 2.0, we removed this feature, since it was used by very few users and it made onboarding more complicated and scary for new users.

If you still want to use a double-tap modifier key to toggle Mic Drop though, you can do so with the free Karabiner Elements app.

1. Install Karabiner Elements.
2. Click on the “Complex Modifications” tab.
3. Click the “Add your own rule” button.
4. Paste the following into the text field:

{
    "description": "Left control double tap triggers Mic Drop shortcut",
    "manipulators": [
        {
            "conditions": [
                {
                    "name": "mic_drop_dbl_tap",
                    "type": "variable_if",
                    "value": 1
                }
            ],
            "from": { "key_code": "left_control" },
            "to": [
                {
                    "key_code": "m",
                    "modifiers": ["left_command", "left_shift"]
                }
            ],
            "type": "basic"
        },
        {
            "from": { "key_code": "left_control" },
            "to": [
                { "key_code": "left_control" },
                {
                    "set_variable": {
                        "name": "mic_drop_dbl_tap",
                        "value": 1
                    }
                }
            ],
            "to_delayed_action": {
                "to_if_canceled": [
                    {
                        "set_variable": {
                            "name": "mic_drop_dbl_tap",
                            "value": 0
                        }
                    }
                ],
                "to_if_invoked": [
                    {
                        "set_variable": {
                            "name": "mic_drop_dbl_tap",
                            "value": 0
                        }
                    }
                ]
            },
            "type": "basic"
        }
    ]
}

You can change the "left_control" key for another key like "left_command" or "right_option". Just make sure your Mic Drop primary keyboard shortcut is set to “Command + Shift + M” (the default shortcut).

Other keyboard shortcuts

Mic Drop also supports specific keyboard shortcuts for toggling the Mic Check window, as well as muting and unmuting the microphone individually.