If you’re using a Mac with a row of function keys at the top of the keyboard, you’ve probably used the built-in volume and brightness buttons. These keys are designed to adjust the settings in fixed steps, which is fine for most situations. But what if you need more precise control than those standard increments provide? There’s actually a way to achieve that with a simple keyboard trick.
Ordinarily, when you press the volume or brightness keys, your Mac displays an on-screen overlay divided into 16 segments. Each press increases or decreases the setting by one full segment. What many users don’t realize is that macOS supports even finer control — up to 64 smaller steps — by using a specific key combination.
To take advantage of this feature, hold down the Option and Shift keys before pressing the brightness or volume keys. Doing so lets you make quarter-step changes instead of full-step ones. You’ll notice the indicator still moves as before, but much more subtly, allowing you to fine-tune the setting within each of those 16 segments.
Though this might seem like a small tip, it’s incredibly helpful when you want more delicate adjustments — for instance, when setting your headphone volume just right or tweaking your screen brightness in a dim environment. Instead of big jumps, you get smooth, gradual changes that offer a more customized experience.