Keyboard shortcut for Control Center

Question

How can I open Control Center without the mouse—only the keyboard?

Answer 1

Here are two ways to get into Control Center without the mouse on macOS.

---

Option 1:

Using: "Full Keyboard Access" to navigate

• Settings found in: System Preferences → Accessibility → Shortcut
  • Check "Full Keyboard Access"
• Open: Control Center using Fn+C
• Use: Tab /Shift+Tab to navigate

Tip:

• Activate "Full Keyboard Access" from shortcut Fn+Opt+Cmd + F5 .
• Deselect all other accessibility shortcuts.
• Shortcut: "Show Accessibility controls" must be turned on
  • Go to: System Preferences → Keyboard → Shortcuts → Accessibility → at bottom
• "Full Keyboard Access" doesn't have to be activated to open "Control Center with Fn+C

Note: (I found navigating Control Center with keys a little hard in the beginning but with practice I'm sure it'll be easier. Hit Tab + H for Help and Tab + Z for an Action Menu for each selected item.

---

Option 2 (my favorit)

1. Record your actions with "Automator"

• Open: Automator → New: Application
• Record action: when you click the Control Center icon in status bar
• Keep clicking if you want more steps
• Save Application. Stores in /Users/[name]/Library/Services/[app name.app] (mine was "Open Control Center.app")

Tip: Turn up Playback Speed to x10

2. Launch new app with Quick Action + shortcut

• Open: Automator → New: Quick Action
• Search: "Launch Application" in Action Library → Drag into work area
• Choose your app in list: Select app "Other" or drag from Finder into little box
• Save Quick Action. Eg. "Launch Control Center"

Create shortcut to your new Quick Action/Service

• Go to: System Preferences → Keyboard → Shortcuts → Services
• At the bottom you'll find your action: General - [quickActionName]
• Check and give it your shortcut, eg. ctrl+shift+C

Notes:

• Might still requires mouse to navigate, but you're already there
• Doesn't work if you've hidden Status Bar
• If you move the CC-icon in status bar you'll have to re-record

IMPORTANT!!

• Must give Accessibility permissions to your new Application
• Go to: System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Accessibility
• Unlock to make changes
• Add or drag your application to this list

Note: not the Quick Action that runs from your shortcut, but the first application you created that has the "Whach Me Do"

---

Thanks @Merchako for the tip on Fn+C, it helped me get started on figuring out a way to control that window

Answer 2

Type Fn+C to open Control Center.

As far as I know, there's no way to interact with it after opening it, but at least you can see the main status of each control.

—

I've only gotten this to work on the keyboards of M1 and M1 Max MacBooks (Monterey). It doesn't work with the Nuphy75 external keyboard (neither wired nor wireless).