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Using the Option key on your Mac keyboard gives you additional options and functionalities. For instance, you can use it to drag a file and create a duplicate instead of just moving it. The Option key works everywhere, including the menus. By clicking the Options button on status menu icons or holding down the Option key while clicking, you can have more control over basic functionalities such as Bluetooth connections, Wi-Fi networks, Volume controls, Time Machine backups, and more.
Hidden Mac Menu Bar Options
Hold down the Option key and click the status icons to open the expanded version of the standard menu with additional options that you would not find otherwise.
Notification Center
Clicking Option on this icon puts your notifications in Do Not Disturb mode, making it the same as switching the DND button to “Sure”, except that the icon will grey out, indicating that it’s in DND mode.
Bluetooth
Click on the Options button on the Bluetooth icon to get a detailed overview of your paired devices, including your Mac’s Bluetooth radio, and options for browsing and sending files to devices.
Volume
To view available input devices, including AirPlay devices, click the volume icon while holding down the Option key. It is a quick way to switch inputs and outputs for system audio.
Wi-Fi
The Wi-Fi menu lists all the available networks in your immediate vicinity. Click on an option to view additional details about your network, including its name, channel, signal strength, and noise. You can also activate different logging and diagnostic tools for troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues.
Time Machine
The Option click on the Time Machine menu allows you to browse backup disks other than the default one, which comes in handy if you are backing up to multiple Time Machine volumes or if you have connected an old backup.
Some third-party application status menus offer different options when you Option-click on them on Mac’s menu bar.
FAQs
Look for icons on the right side of the menu bar. Status menu icons like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Notification Center, Time Machine, and Volume all have hidden options that you can access by clicking on the Options button or holding down the Option key while clicking on them.
Most of the time, the hidden options available when you option-click aren’t configurable. The options you see are the ones built into the app or macOS, so you can’t change or add new features to the hidden menus.