# Make F4 open CubbyPad

Enable F4 key in Settings › Opening to use the keyboard’s Launchpad or Spotlight key as a CubbyPad opening control.

Last updated 26 October 2026

## Follow these steps

1. Open CubbyPad and activate it if required.

1. Open Settings › Opening.

1. Turn F4 key on.

1. Close Settings and test the key with your usual keyboard.

## What to expect

The key opens and closes the grid while CubbyPad is running and its F4 option is enabled. The printed icon may differ between keyboard generations even though you are configuring the same role.

Command–Space can stay assigned to Spotlight. Choosing F4 for the grid does not require changing Spotlight’s shortcut or replacing your recorded CubbyPad combination.

## If the result is different

If the key still does something else, test CubbyPad’s normal shortcut first to confirm the app is running. Check the F4 toggle and include your keyboard model in a support request, especially when an external keyboard has a different function-key arrangement.

For the broader walkthrough, read [choose how to open the app grid](https://cubbypad.com/guides/opening/).

## Related answers.

[### Return F4 to its normal macOS behavior

Turn off CubbyPad’s F4 key option when you want that key to stop opening the app grid.

Read answer ↗](https://cubbypad.com/help/disable-f4-remapping/)[### Choose a CubbyPad hot corner

Select a screen corner in Settings › Opening to toggle CubbyPad when your pointer arrives there.

Read answer ↗](https://cubbypad.com/help/choose-hot-corner/)[### Fix a hot corner that performs two actions

Check both CubbyPad’s corner choice and macOS Hot Corners when moving into a corner opens an unexpected system view.

Read answer ↗](https://cubbypad.com/help/hot-corner-conflict/)

Source: https://cubbypad.com/help/enable-f4/