Osx should automatically recognise the layout of the Magic keyboard

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Osx should automatically recognise the layout of the Magic keyboard

Hi,

I recently got a Magic keyboard to use with my Macbook Air (Osx Yosemite).

My macbook has an English keyboard, but the Magic keyboard I bought has an Italian layout.

I was expecting Osx to automatically recognise the Italian layout as I type on the external keyboard, but it doesn't. Instead, it seems like I need to explicitly switch to Italian as the Input source in the Keyboard settings. Ending up having to switch back and forth every time I need to use the other keyboard.

That looks an awful UX to me.

Is that working as designed first of all? Also on the latest macOS?

I'd expect it to be possible to deduct the keyboard layout automatically from the hardware, isn't it?

Thanks

MacBook Air 13"

Posted on Jun 10, 2020 11:04 AM

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Answer 1

alb- Author

Level 1

18 points

Jun 11, 2020 1:45 AM in response to Tom Gewecke

Thank you so much, autokbisw does exactly what I want!

I also checked Karabiner, but I'm not sure if it does the same. I couldn't find that specific feature in the documentation.

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Answer 2

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,300 points

Jun 10, 2020 11:24 AM in response to alb-

alb- wrote: I'd expect it to be possible to deduct the keyboard layout automatically from the hardware, isn't it?

Nope. All keyboards are exactly the same inside, the only difference is what is printed on the keys. The user has to set his system preferences to the input source which matches that printing, if that is what he wants. Sometimes users prefer a different mapping than what is printed on the hardware: Dvorak would be a common example.

I think there is software (Karabiner) which can switch the mapping automatically just for an external keyboard.

This may also be useful:

https://superuser.com/questions/1143990/osx-automatically-change-input-source-for-different-keyboards

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Osx should automatically recognise the layout of the Magic keyboard

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