Well, below written code works in Terminal but the key resets to Spotlight after every restart. I'd love to know if there is a permanent way to remap the Spotlight key(F4) to launchpad since CMD+Space is easy enough to remember :)
hidutil property --set '{"UserKeyMapping":[{"HIDKeyboardModifierMappingSrc":0xC00000221,"HIDKeyboardModifierMappingDst":0x0C000002A2}]}'
MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.0
BlueberryLover wrote:
Couldn't you run an Apple Script via an Automator app to execute the required Terminal command (example below illustrates executing the "pwd" command)? The Automator app could then be set up as a login item (in Users & Groups System Preference).
- Pie Lover
P.S. I also found an article that may be of interest
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/d44fd049-5e1c-4649-b355-9fec5d4641d6
So basically this is the end version after your suggestion, thanks for all the help from everyone:
BlueberryLover wrote:
Couldn't you run an Apple Script via an Automator app to execute the required Terminal command (example below illustrates executing the "pwd" command)? The Automator app could then be set up as a login item (in Users & Groups System Preference).
- Pie Lover
P.S. I also found an article that may be of interest
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/d44fd049-5e1c-4649-b355-9fec5d4641d6
So basically this is the end version after your suggestion, thanks for all the help from everyone:
Luis Sequeira1 wrote:
I find this thread a bit surreal. F4 is not associated to Spotlight but to Launchpad.
Not always. As mentioned above, on my M1 MacBook Air the F4 key opens Spotlight. It has the Spotlight symbol (magnifying glass) printed on the key.
Visual Aid…
BlueberryLover wrote:
Couldn't you run an Apple Script via an Automator app to execute the required Terminal command (example below illustrates executing the "pwd" command)? The Automator app could then be set up as a login item (in Users & Groups System Preference).
- Pie Lover
P.S. I also found an article that may be of interest
https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/d44fd049-5e1c-4649-b355-9fec5d4641d6
I'll try it.
You can use a macro app like Keyboard Maestro to remap any key to any function, post fixed text via a typed string and change settings is apps like I do when I want to activate/deactivate a CSS file and change minimum font size for Safari:
Couldn't you run an Apple Script via an Automator app to execute the required Terminal command (example below illustrates executing the "pwd" command)? The Automator app could then be set up as a login item (in Users & Groups System Preference).
- Pie Lover
P.S. I also found an article that may be of interest
On my Macs, the F4 key is Launchpad (or somewhere close to F4).
It's a complete waste for me because I can't understand why we needed a Launchpad in the first place.
Do you not have a Launchpad key already?
FWIW, the F4 key on my M1 MacBook Air is assigned to Spotlight. All my Intel Macs are set to Launchpad.
My wireless keyboard with Touch ID is set for Spotlight. I doubt I can break the muscle memory, but at least the shortcut key is useful.
My wireless keyboard with Touch ID is set for Spotlight. I doubt I can break the muscle memory, but at least the shortcut key is useful.
Yes but I already have the code I just need the OS to automatically use it on startup shouldnt be that hard
Barney-15E wrote:
On my Macs, the F4 key is Launchpad (or somewhere close to F4).
It's a complete waste for me because I can't understand why we needed a Launchpad in the first place.
Do you not have a Launchpad key already?
Well I like it, and no I don't. The new ones come with a Spotlight key instead of the launchpad key. CMD+Space was too hard I guess
dialabrain wrote:
FWIW, you can set "Show Launchpad" in System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Launchpad & Dock to "fn/globe + F4".
I never use Launchpad either.
I found that but it's way easier just pressing F4 :D
Yes but I already have the code I just need the OS to automatically use it on startup shouldnt be that hard
Create a launchd plist to run the shell script on login. Put the plist into /Library/LaunchAgents.
Barney-15E wrote:
Yes but I already have the code I just need the OS to automatically use it on startup shouldnt be that hard
Create a launchd plist to run the shell script on login. Put the plist into /Library/LaunchAgents.
I actually did that but screw up at some point I suppose. Will try it again.
BlueberryLover wrote:
Couldn't you run an Apple Script via an Automator app to execute the required Terminal command (example below illustrates executing the "pwd" command)?
the problem with that is the code already includes quotation marks, so the first quotation mark ends the command right after hidutil property --set , i tried some other marks but couldn't find a way around it
edit: just putting a "\" before the quotation marks worked :)
I find this thread a bit surreal. F4 is not associated to Spotlight but to Launchpad.
I think the really relevant question is WHY in your system F4 invoked Spotlight in the first place?
There must be either: a) some corruption that prevents changing it back to Launchpad; or b) something that launches at startup or login and sets F4 to open Spotlight.
Does the problem also occur if you start in Safe Mode?
For those like me who have never used Automator app.
1. Open Automator app > New document > Click on Quick Action and choose it.
2. Library > Run AppleScript > Copy and Paste the following:
on run {input, parameters}
tell application "Terminal"
activate
do script with command "hidutil property --set '{\"UserKeyMapping\":[{\"HIDKeyboardModifierMappingSrc\":0xC00000221,\"HIDKeyboardModifierMappingDst\":0x0C000002A2}]}'"
end tell
tell application "Terminal" to quit
return input
end run
3. Click play, the close automator. Spotlight key (F4) should pull up launchpad.
Remapping the F4 key to Launchpad from Spotlight automatically on start
