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Karabiner Elements for Mac

MacBook keyboard remapper.

Free
In English
4.6
Based on 61 user rates

Karabiner Elements overview

Karabiner Elements (earlier was Karabiner, and even earlier was KeyRemap4MacBook) is powerful and stable keyboard customizer for macOS.

Features:
  • Simple Modifications: Map normal keys to arbitrary key functions
  • Complex Modifications: Map keys by complex rules. e.g., key to modifiers, modifiers+key to key, send key event if pressed alone, etc
  • Function Keys: Map function keys to arbitrary key functions
  • Devices: Apply modifications to specified keyboards only
  • Profiles: Support the creation of multiple profiles that the user can switch between
  • Modifier Flag Sync:Synchronize modifier flags across all connected keyboards
  • Secure Keyboard Entry Support:Work well on Secure Keyboard Entry environment such as a password prompt, terminal with Secure Keyboard Entry, etc

What’s new in version 15.0.0

Breaking changes
  • macOS 11 and macOS 12 are no longer supported. The background service management method has been changed to a new method compatible with macOS 13 and later. Therefore, permission needs to be granted for the background service to run.
  • The method to enable the Multitouch Extension has changed.
Important Notes
  • A unique random ID called karabiner_machine_identifier is now generated during installation. This ID is used for machine-specific settings and may be included in the karabiner.json file.
New Features
  • Added the ability to disable Complex Modifications rules.
  • Added the ability to duplicate and reorder profiles.
  • Added the ability to restart Karabiner-Elements from the menu.
  • Added the ability to reset device settings that are not currently connected.
Improvements
  • Improved "{device} is ignored temporarily until {key_code} is pressed again" message for to make it more understandable. (Thanks to @adamnovak)
  • Added "Enable Karabiner Notification Window" configuration, which allows you to hide the notification window by turning off this setting. (Thanks to @jwodnicki)
  • Support al_consumer_control_configuration key, used as the Music key. (Thanks to @kambala-decapitator)
  • Improved behaviour when using the gamepad stick as a pointing device.
  • Improved to_if_alone behavior to use the modifier flags of the time the key is pressed, when sending events.
  • Added {"type": "unset"} option to set_variable.
  • Integrated karabiner_observer functions into karabiner_grabber, and then karabiner_observer has been removed. The number of background processes has been reduced, resolving performance issues caused by inter-process communication that were occurring in some environments.
  • A custom JSON formatter has been introduced to save JSON in a more compact format.
  • The process for saving the configuration file has been optimized so that settings that have not been changed from their default values are not included in karabiner.json.
  • Internal changes: Improved the interface of libkrbn to minimize the use of unsafe pointers in Swift.
View older Karabiner Elements versions

Karabiner Elements for Mac

Free
In English
Version 15.0.0
Write a detailed review about Karabiner Elements

What customer like

User Experience
Performance
Customization

What needs improvements

Support

Karabiner Elements qualities

Value
5.0
Ease of use
5.0
Features
5.0
Reliability
5.0
Customer support
4.0

Write your thoughts in our old-fashioned comment

MacUpdate Comment Policy. We strongly recommend leaving comments, however comments with abusive words, bullying, personal attacks of any type will be moderated.
4.6

(63 Reviews of Karabiner Elements)

  • Comments

  • User Ratings

jcarlin
jcarlin
Jan 7 2022
14.3.0
0.0
Jan 7 2022
0.0
Version: 14.3.0
Trying to swap the fn and left_ctrl keys on my new Logitech MX Mini but it's not working… Like, nothing changes. Any tips?
joshuasvk
joshuasvk
Nov 5 2021
14.2.0
0.0
Nov 5 2021
0.0
Version: 14.2.0
It would be great if it worked. My fn key and touchbar are completely messed up, it shows F-keys but when pressed it actually adjusts sounds/screen so it is obviously not running the F-keys.
Derekcurrie
Derekcurrie
Sep 7 2021
13.7.0
0.0
Sep 7 2021
0.0
Version: 13.7.0
UNINSTALLING & UPDATING: Karabiner Elements is ODD in that it root locks its two apps such that no administrator can unlock them and therefore cannot toss them into the Trash for removal. BE NOT AFRAID! If you go into the 'Misc' tab inside the app, you'll find you can 'Uninstall' from there, and it works. You'll also find under that tab the 'Update' option, which will also work, despite the app being root locked. Yes, this is unheard of in my long Mac experience! But the app itself provides access to both options.
raynerdesign
raynerdesign
Mar 16 2021
13.3.0
0.0
Mar 16 2021
0.0
Version: 13.3.0
Thanks Tony, being locked out from removing the app scares the hell out of me. I followed your tip, but now I have 2 remnants folders and apps I can't delete, but zero bytes, so no problem. However, after restarting I still have 4 (or maybe 5) Karabiner processes running: Karabiner-DriverKit-VirtualHIDDeviceClient karabiner_grabber karabiner_observer karabiner_session_monitor and maybe kdc Who knows what they're up to?
Sampler
Sampler
Mar 14 2021
13.3.0
4.0
Mar 14 2021
4.0
Version: 13.3.0
Version 12.10.1 Good for my simple needs: 1. Right Option Key -> Control key 2. Touchbar function key changes: With fn key down: f10-> sound off, f11-> sound volume down slider; , f12 -> sound volume up slider f8-> brightness down slider f9-> brightness up slider That said, I won't be updating to 13.10 as, according to the What's New list, the app will no longer change touchbar function keys.
RunTime
RunTime
Aug 9 2024
15.0.0
5.0
Aug 9 2024
5.0
Version: 15.0.0
howardmanning
howardmanning
Dec 12 2022
14.10.0
5.0
Dec 12 2022
5.0
Version: 14.10.0
Nazaire
Nazaire
Jun 1 2021
13.4.0
5.0
Jun 1 2021
5.0
Version: 13.4.0
khritovs-1
khritovs-1
Nov 2 2020
5.0
Nov 2 2020
5.0
Version: null
ying17
ying17
Jun 21 2020
5.0
Jun 21 2020
5.0
Version: null
earthwormscrawl
earthwormscrawl
Jun 8 2020
5.0
Jun 8 2020
5.0
Version: null
allenchiirogakutetsu
May 3 2020
5.0
Version: null
Tony-169eda05
Tony-169eda05
Apr 25 2020
1.0
Apr 25 2020
1.0
Version: null
numberer6
numberer6
Oct 18 2019
5.0
Oct 18 2019
5.0
Version: null
Sleav
Sleav
Jul 9 2019
0.5
Jul 9 2019
0.5
Version: null
thekan5
thekan5
Jun 14 2019
3.5
Jun 14 2019
3.5
Version: null
Eric•Woehler
Eric•Woehler
Jun 10 2019
5.0
Jun 10 2019
5.0
Version: null
makareim
makareim
Oct 10 2018
5.0
Oct 10 2018
5.0
Version: null
Ervins Strauhmanis
Ervins Strauhmanis
Oct 9 2018
5.0
Oct 9 2018
5.0
Version: null
jrtmanmd
jrtmanmd
Jun 15 2017
3.0
Jun 15 2017
3.0
Version: null
Neonart
Neonart
Mar 12 2017
3.0
Mar 12 2017
3.0
Version: null
kingsj0405
kingsj0405
Oct 6 2016
5.0
Oct 6 2016
5.0
Version: null
Grubengold
Grubengold
Jun 11 2016
5.0
Jun 11 2016
5.0
Version: null
Mithoo
Mithoo
Apr 24 2016
5.0
Apr 24 2016
5.0
Version: null
kamil-stachowski
kamil-stachowski
Feb 18 2016
5.0
Feb 18 2016
5.0
Version: null
centzon
centzon
Jul 24 2015
5.0
Jul 24 2015
5.0
Version: null
四点
四点
Jun 1 2015
5.0
Jun 1 2015
5.0
Version: null
xzc1988
xzc1988
Apr 20 2015
5.0
Apr 20 2015
5.0
Version: null
oferinbar1
oferinbar1
Apr 19 2015
5.0
Apr 19 2015
5.0
Version: null
slamet-kristanto
slamet-kristanto
Jan 17 2015
5.0
Jan 17 2015
5.0
Version: null
Andrew8042
Andrew8042
Oct 4 2014
5.0
Oct 4 2014
5.0
Version: null
Drdul
Drdul
Aug 31 2014
5.0
Aug 31 2014
5.0
Version: null
grsc3p0
grsc3p0
Aug 24 2014
5.0
Aug 24 2014
5.0
Version: null
Chehab
Chehab
Jul 25 2014
4.5
Jul 25 2014
4.5
Version: null
Fotodivr
Fotodivr
Jul 22 2014
5.0
Jul 22 2014
5.0
Version: null
Batracos
Batracos
Mar 17 2014
5.0
Mar 17 2014
5.0
Version: null
JoelSuovaniemi1886
JoelSuovaniemi1886
Feb 18 2014
5.0
Feb 18 2014
5.0
Version: null
Philosopherdog
Philosopherdog
Dec 2 2013
5.0
Dec 2 2013
5.0
Version: null
sub-dude
sub-dude
Nov 21 2013
5.0
Nov 21 2013
5.0
Version: null
randyharris
randyharris
Nov 15 2013
5.0
Nov 15 2013
5.0
Version: null
Nontroppo
Nontroppo
Sep 24 2013
5.0
Sep 24 2013
5.0
Version: null
Jon-Cotton
Jon-Cotton
Sep 13 2013
3.0
Sep 13 2013
3.0
Version: null
Mastahype
Mastahype
Aug 31 2013
5.0
Aug 31 2013
5.0
Version: null
Götz-Hoffart
Götz-Hoffart
Jul 30 2013
5.0
Jul 30 2013
5.0
Version: null
Runty
Runty
May 17 2013
5.0
May 17 2013
5.0
Version: null