Many cross-platform apps bring the Windows F5 behavior to macOS:
Users transitioning from Windows to macOS often instinctively look for an F5 equivalent. On Windows, F5 sends a WM_KEYDOWN message that instructs the active window to redraw its current data view—be it a file explorer directory, a web page, or a spreadsheet. This command forces the application to discard the cached view and poll the source again. macOS, built on a different UI framework (Cocoa/AppKit), handles state updates through event-driven notifications rather than a universal "redraw" command. mac refresh key
For almost every browser and many standard applications, the standard way to refresh is: Many cross-platform apps bring the Windows F5 behavior
However, the need to "refresh" extends beyond file management and into the realm of the internet. Web browsers, by nature, require reloading to display new content. Here, the Mac does not leave users stranded, but it does require a shift in muscle memory. Instead of the solitary F5 key, macOS utilizes the Command (⌘) key in tandem with 'R'. This combination (Command + R) is the universal standard for refreshing web pages, whether in Safari, Chrome, or Firefox. macOS, built on a different UI framework (Cocoa/AppKit),