Apple has quietly made a small but important change to its Mac keyboards. The company has fixed a design inconsistency that has existed for 26 years. While this update won’t make major headlines, detail-oriented users will appreciate it.
Apple Finally Fixes a 26-Year-Old Keyboard Issue
The Mute key has been a standard feature on Mac keyboards since the PowerBook G3 ‘Lombard’ in 1999. However, its icon never clearly showed its function. The key previously displayed a simple speaker symbol, giving no visual clue that it muted sound. Yet, when pressed, macOS would show a different icon—a speaker with a strike-through line. This mismatch has finally been corrected.
A Long-Awaited Fix
With the new MacBook Air featuring the M4 chip, Apple has redesigned the Mute key. It now displays a speaker with a line through it, matching the macOS on-screen indicator. This change makes it easier for users to understand the key’s function. It also follows Apple’s design language, aligning with the mute button on the Apple TV Remote.
For years, the Mute key worked as a toggle for muting and unmuting audio. But the old icon didn’t reflect this clearly. The new design removes confusion and makes the key’s purpose obvious at a glance.
More Than Just the MacBook Air
The updated Mute key isn’t limited to the new MacBook Air. Apple has also added it to the Magic Keyboard for the latest iPad Air. This is a big upgrade for iPad Air users. Earlier Magic Keyboards didn’t have function keys at all. Now, users not only get function keys but also a better-designed Mute key.
A Small Change, Big Improvement
Apple is known for its attention to detail. Even though this change took more than two decades, it reflects the company’s commitment to usability. Small refinements like this improve the user experience in meaningful ways.
It’s likely that all future Mac models will adopt this revised key design. The MacBook Pro with the rumored M5 chip, expected later this year, will probably feature the updated icon as well.
While it may seem minor, this fix is a welcome improvement. It brings better clarity to one of the most frequently used keys on Mac keyboards. Mac users, especially those who appreciate good design, will certainly notice and appreciate this change.
