Apple’s MacBooks with Apple Silicon chips have picked up a new trick from the iPad keyboard. The function key now acts as an Emoji picker. Here̵
To use the function keys on the Mac (F1 to F12), you must hold down the Fn key. On MacBooks with Apple Silicon (from 2020), the Fn key has been redesigned. Now you can clearly see the globe icon in the lower part of the Fn key.
Pressing the Globe key once will immediately display the Emoji picker in the center of the screen, on top of all your active windows.
Previously, you would press the Fn key twice to use Dictation.
For some users, the Emoji feature can be useful. But it can also be annoying if the Emoji picker accidentally appears when you are in the middle of work. However, you can turn this feature off completely or switch to using the dictation feature (by pressing the Fn key twice).
But don’t worry, you can still use the Emoji picker in text fields with a specialized shortcut. Just press Control + Command + Spacebar at the same time to open the Emoji picker.
RELATED: Type emoji on your Mac with a keyboard shortcut
To disable the emoji picker key, we need to go to System Preferences first. On your Mac, click the Apple icon on the left side of the menu bar, then select the “System Preferences” option.
Select the option “Keyboard” here.
Select the drop-down list next to the globe icon.
From here you can choose a number of options. You can use “Change input source” or you can switch to the option “Start dictation”.
Choose the “Do nothing” option to turn off the Emoji keyboard.
And that’s it. Now if you accidentally (or intentionally) press the Fn (or Globe) key, nothing will happen.
Just because you’ve disabled the Globe key doesn’t mean it’s the end of your colorful Emoji life on Mac. Read our ultimate guide to Emojis on Mac to find out how to still use Emojis on Mac with the menu bar or third-party apps and keyboard shortcuts.
RELATED: The ultimate guide to using Emoji on your Mac
