Assigning Shift to an external foot pedal

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Assigning Shift to an external foot pedal

I have lost the use of my right hand for a while. So it is impossible to hit a modifier key (shift, option, command) and click the mouse at the same time. I purchased an X-keys foot pedal. When I install Karabiner–Elements, I can make the foot pedal activate a modifier key. But, that does not work with my M1 Mac computer, it only works with a Intel Mac computer. Both are at the latest Ventura operating system.

I am wondering if someone has a solution to activating a modifier key with an external device on a M1 Mac. I have two extra feet, so those are convenient for a foot pedal.

It does work to open the System Preferences accessibility keyboard, and hit a key such as shift. That will activate a modifier the next time you click the mouse. But if I attach the foot pedal, I can see on that keyboard that shift is activated, but it does not capitalize any letters, so it isn't working.

I would greatly appreciate any help with this matter. Or at least understand why my M1 Mac won't recognize the foot pedal.

Harry

MacBook Pro 15″, OS X 10.10

Posted on Jun 17, 2023 8:48 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 17, 2023 12:00 PM in response to HarryMiller

MacOS has some switch control features built in, if Karabiner is not working on Apple-Silicon Mac.

Description at the bottom of this article:

Use Switch Control on Mac - Apple Support

There is also a keyboard accessibility feature called "sticky keys", intended to let you 'compose' a multi-key sequence, that might work by pressing Option (which might turn into Option-Hold), then clicking with the trackpad.

There is also camera-based head tracking that could be used to, for example, look-right-and-click for Option-click.

macOS accessibility features for mobility - Apple Support

there is also an accessibility section of the forums, here:

Accessibility - Apple Community

But I would also call or send Karabiner a message asking for their help as well.

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Answer 2

Jun 17, 2023 10:25 PM in response to HarryMiller

Did that X-Keys pedal come with a driver?

Rosetta 2 can't run Intel-only versions of low-level system code like kernel extensions. If the functionality of the X-Keys pedal depends in part on low-level system software – a question for the X-Keys pedal vendor – then you might need an Apple Silicon version of that software, to use in connection with the pedal and with Karabiner.

Just a thought.

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Answer 3

HarryMiller Author

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Jun 18, 2023 1:24 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Yes, the X-Keys foot pedal comes with software. When I asked about using a M1 Mac, they responded that they only had Intel Macs. So the software isn't up-to-date.

But I did find the solution. I now have successfully configured the foot pedal to be a shift key.

The solution is very strange. The X-keys pedal is configured through its software to send a Shift key. Karabiner-Elements is designed to allow one to reprogram a Mac keyboard, sneaking around their security settings. So, I programmed the latter to send a Shift key. That didn't work. The text I typed were still lower case. But when I was testing the foot pedal I reassigned the left foot pedal to a "f" key, just to see if that would send a "f" character. Then, for some reason, the left foot pedal began operating as a Shift key.

I have no idea why this works, but it does.

Thanks again for the good ideas. Sticky keys is great.

Harry

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Answer 4

HarryMiller Author

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Jun 17, 2023 3:16 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you for the response. Very helpful.

Switch Control doesn't recognize the external foot pedal. So far, the "sticky keys" is working the best. I've reached out to Karabiner, but unfortunately their website says to direct all queries to their github forum. I have never asked question on that form, and I'm not sure how responsive it would be. I will check out the Apple accessibility community. And I will get back if I find anything useful.

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Answer 5

Jun 17, 2023 3:23 PM in response to HarryMiller

GitHub is a well-respected repository of all types of Open Source software. it provides tools for source code control, tracking versions, merging and splitting, and tracking bugs. Response time there will vary widely, depending on the developer.

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Assigning Shift to an external foot pedal

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