If you have recently switched from Windows to macOS you might be wondering how to refresh on a MacBook. On Windows the F5 key is often used to refresh a web page or reload the desktop. macOS works a little differently and while there is no single universal “refresh” button the same function can be achieved using shortcuts or menu options depending on what you are trying to refresh.
This guide explains how to refresh on a MacBook across various applications including web browsers Finder and desktop environments. Whether you are reloading a website or trying to see updated files this article will help you navigate refresh functions in macOS.
Refreshing a Web Page on a MacBook
If you are browsing the internet and want to refresh a page the process is straightforward. In most browsers including Safari Chrome and Firefox you can refresh a web page by pressing Command + R. This reloads the current page and fetches the most up-to-date version from the server.
You can also click the circular refresh icon located in the address bar of your browser. In Safari this is on the right side of the URL field. In Chrome and Firefox it usually appears just to the left.
If you need to perform a hard refresh which clears the cached version of the page and loads everything from scratch you can use Shift + Command + R in some browsers like Chrome. In Safari press Option + Command + R.
Refreshing Finder to View New Files or Folders
macOS does not have a manual refresh button in Finder like Windows Explorer. Normally Finder updates automatically as files and folders are added deleted or changed. However sometimes it may take a moment to reflect new changes especially when using external drives or cloud services.
If Finder appears stuck or does not show a new file try closing the Finder window and opening it again. Alternatively you can switch to another folder and return to the original one. These actions usually trigger Finder to update its contents.
You can also use the Command + Option + Esc shortcut to open the Force Quit Applications window. Select Finder then click Relaunch. This refreshes Finder completely and often resolves display issues.
Refreshing the Desktop
If your MacBook desktop is not updating as expected you can also relaunch Finder as described above. This effectively refreshes the desktop and often corrects icons that are not showing or files that appear out of place.
To do this press Command + Option + Esc select Finder from the list and click Relaunch. Your screen will briefly flash as Finder restarts but all open windows and files will remain in place.
Refreshing System Settings or App Displays
Some apps may require a refresh if they are not showing the latest information. Many macOS applications include a View or Window menu with a Reload or Refresh option. For example in the Mail app you can press Command + Shift + N to check for new messages.
In Calendar and Contacts you can use the View > Refresh Calendars or View > Refresh Contacts options to sync with your iCloud or other accounts. The refresh commands are typically found in the menu bar at the top of the screen depending on the active app.
Refreshing External Drives or USB Devices
When you plug in an external drive or USB stick it should appear automatically in Finder. If it does not try unplugging and reconnecting the device. You can also open Disk Utility from Applications > Utilities to check if the device is recognised.
If the device appears in Disk Utility but not in Finder click Mount to make it visible. Restarting Finder using the Relaunch method can also help in some cases.
Refreshing Apps or Web Content in Widgets
The Notification Centre on macOS includes widgets such as Weather Stocks and Calendar. These usually refresh automatically but sometimes you might want to update them manually.
There is no direct refresh button for widgets but you can close and reopen Notification Centre by clicking the date and time in the menu bar. This often forces the widgets to refresh their content.
Some widgets may rely on internet connectivity so make sure your Wi-Fi connection is stable if updates do not appear.
Final Thoughts
While macOS does not have a single “refresh” button like Windows the same result can be achieved through built-in shortcuts and simple actions. Whether you are refreshing a website restarting Finder or checking for new content in apps macOS gives you the tools to keep everything up to date.
Once you learn these commands and menu options refreshing on your MacBook becomes second nature. This improves your workflow and helps keep your system running smoothly across different apps and tasks.