M1 Macbook Pro - UK Keyboard ReMapping

Question

petelingo Author

Level 1

51 points

M1 Macbook Pro - UK Keyboard ReMapping

(This question is probably targeted towards other Brits.)

Hi folks,

The number 3 key used to serve as the input key as follows:

Shift + 3 = £

Option + 3 = #

On these 2021 M1 MacbookPros the keys have been reversed, so it's now as follows:

Shift + 3 = #

Option + 3 = £

I don't want to turn this into a diplomatic incident, but which smart Alec in California decided that the £ sign was of lesser importance than (ironically) the pound (hash) key? (To anyone who needs me to point this out, I am jesting.)

But it isn't a trivial change either. More common (and therefore prominent) functions have always been attributed to the Shift key. This is now ingrained. Going against muscle memory that has built up over years is extremely irritating.

I can imagine the thinking by Apple's (genZ) graduates who live their lives on social media, "Surely, the British realiZe that the puny little currency symbol is secondary to the mighty hash tag, right?"

MacBook Pro (2020 and later)

Posted on Nov 10, 2021 7:07 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

140,207 points

Nov 10, 2021 7:19 AM in response to petelingo

When the UK input source is active, shift-3 is £

when the US input source is active, shift-3 is #

if you are not getting the results you want, you may be using an unexpected keyboard input source.

Sselect the one you want here:

System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources

Reply

Answer 2

Tom Gewecke

Level 10

122,058 points

Nov 10, 2021 9:27 AM in response to petelingo

petelingo wrote: On these 2021 M1 MacbookPros the keys have been reversed,

More likely you have just got "US" instead of "British" in your System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Source list.

Let us know if having only "British" on that list solves your problem.

If your keyboard is made for the UK, the 3 key will look like this:

(which means # is on Option level and £ is on Shift)

and your Return key will be vertical rather than horizontal and there will be an extra key between Z and left Shift.

Otherwise your keyboard was made for some other country.

Reply

Answer 3

petelingo Author

Level 1

51 points

Nov 18, 2021 1:01 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you Grant Bennet-Alder Tom Gewecke. Life makes a little more sense again.

Reply

M1 Macbook Pro - UK Keyboard ReMapping

Similar questions