Shortcuts for Apple Mail
Keyboard shortcuts for Apple Mail.
4AM is a small Mac menu bar app that gives Apple Mail the shortcuts you already know: Gmail’s single keys, Outlook for Mac, Outlook for Windows, a set you make yourself, or a combination of your choosing.
Free for 7 days with everything working. One-time purchase of USD$9.99, no subscription. Requires macOS 27 or later.
Shortcut sets
Use the Apple Mail shortcuts you already know
Pick a set from the 4AM menu and switch any time. Choosing Off hands every key back to Apple Mail.
Gmail shortcuts for Apple Mail
Single keys, as in Gmail: E archives, J and K move through your inbox, R replies and # deletes.
Outlook for Mac shortcuts for Apple Mail
The Outlook for Mac keys that Apple Mail does differently: ⌃E archives, ⌘J forwards, ⌘T marks as read.
Outlook for Windows shortcuts for Apple Mail
Ctrl shortcuts on the Mac’s Control key: ⌃R replies, ⌃F forwards, ⌃C and ⌃V copy and paste.
Your own shortcuts
Choose Custom, start from any set, then click an action and press the keys you want for it. No settings files to edit.
Shortcuts
Gmail keyboard shortcuts for Apple Mail
The Gmail set is the one 4AM starts with. The keys work in the message list and in a message opened in its own window, and ⌘↩ sends from a compose window. See each key beside Apple Mail’s own.
- E Archive
- # Delete
- J Next message
- K Previous message
- R Reply
- A Reply all
- F Forward
- C New message
- S Flag
- ! Mark as spam
- ⇧I Mark read
- ⇧U Mark unread
- Z Undo
- / Search
- O Open message
- ⌘↩ Send
Getting started
How to set up 4AM on your Mac
4AM lives in your menu bar. It has no Dock icon and no window to manage.
- Install
Open the download and drag 4AM into your Applications folder, then open it. - Allow Accessibility
macOS asks you to let 4AM control your Mac. Choose Open System Settings and switch 4AM on. If it isn’t in the list, add it with the + button. - Use Mail
Click a message and press a key. Click the 4AM icon in the menu bar any time to see every shortcut.
Privacy
Built to stay out of your way
An app that listens for keys has to earn trust, so here is exactly what 4AM does.
Never records what you type
4AM checks each key against your shortcut list and forgets it. Nothing you type is logged or stored.
Only while Mail is in front
The moment you switch to another app, 4AM stops looking at the keyboard entirely.
Typing is never touched
Single keys only fire when a message or the message list is selected. In a message you’re writing, only shortcuts held with ⌘, ⌃ or ⌥ act, such as ⌘↩ to send. Searching and Spotlight work as normal.
One connection, when you ask
4AM contacts the internet only when you activate or deactivate a license key, sending that key and your Mac’s name. Nothing about your mail is ever sent.
Questions
Apple Mail shortcuts, answered
The things people ask before trying it.
Can Apple Mail use Gmail keyboard shortcuts?
Not by itself. Apple Mail’s own shortcuts all need a modifier key such as Command. 4AM adds Gmail’s single-key shortcuts, so E archives, J and K move between messages, and R replies.
How do I archive an email in Apple Mail with one key?
Install 4AM, select a message and press E. Without 4AM, Mail’s archive shortcut is Control-Command-A.
Is there a J and K shortcut for Mac Mail?
With 4AM, J moves to the next message and K to the previous one, as in Gmail.
Does 4AM work with Gmail, iCloud and Outlook accounts?
4AM works with Apple Mail itself, so it should work with any account you’ve added to Mail. Try the free trial to check it with yours.
Can Apple Mail use Outlook keyboard shortcuts?
Not by itself. 4AM has an Outlook for Mac set and an Outlook for Windows set, so the shortcuts you know from Outlook work in Apple Mail.
Can I change the shortcuts?
Yes. Choose Custom in the 4AM menu, click an action and press the keys you want for it.
Good to know
Before you buy
Try it free for 7 days first. That is the best way to be sure it suits your Mac and your Mail.
What a license covers
A one-time purchase that unlocks 4AM after the trial. Your key works on up to 3 Macs, and you can move it by choosing Deactivate on This Mac in the app.
Why does it need Accessibility?
That permission lets 4AM see which part of Mail is selected and press Mail’s own menu commands, such as Archive, on your behalf. It is the same permission window managers and text expanders use.
Will it survive macOS updates?
4AM is tested on macOS 27 with Mail 16. It relies on parts of macOS that Apple can change at any time, so compatibility with future macOS versions isn’t guaranteed. I intend to keep it working and will release fixes when I can.
Need help?
Email 4AM support and I’ll reply within two business days.
4AM is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple, Google or Microsoft. Apple Mail and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc. Gmail is a trademark of Google LLC. Outlook and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. 4AM privacy policy · 4AM license terms