Essential Mac Apps

Karabiner-Elements

Free key remapper for Mac that changes any key or builds rule-based custom shortcuts.

Alternative toKeyboard Maestro
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Karabiner-Elements is a keyboard customizer for macOS. It changes what your keys do, from a simple swap of two keys to rules you write yourself.

Simple modifications map one key to another in the settings window. Complex modifications are rules. You can import ready-made ones from the internet, such as Emacs or Vi key bindings, a diamond cursor, mouse keys, or a guard against quitting an app by pressing Command-Q by accident, or you can edit them and write new ones in JSON. The EventViewer tool shows the key events your Mac receives, so you can check that a rule does what you expect.

It suits people who want keys to behave differently from the macOS defaults, whether that means one swapped key or a whole set of custom shortcuts. It focuses on remapping; it is not a macro or automation app.

Karabiner-Elements is released into the public domain and developed by Takayama Fumihiko (pqrs.org). It installs background services and a driver extension for a virtual keyboard and mouse, and it asks for Accessibility and Input Monitoring permission. Version 16.3.0 supports macOS 13 Ventura and later on Intel and Apple silicon Macs, and macOS 27 on Apple silicon only. Older releases cover macOS 10.9 to 12.

Frequently asked questions

Is Karabiner-Elements free?

Yes. You can use it without paying anything. Optional support is possible through GitHub Sponsors or a one-time PayPal payment, which the developer describes as a donation framed as a software fee because of Japanese regulations.

Is Karabiner-Elements safe and open source?

The code is on GitHub and released into the public domain. It needs deep access to work: background services, a driver extension for its virtual keyboard and mouse, and Accessibility and Input Monitoring permission. Download it only from karabiner-elements.pqrs.org, GitHub or Homebrew.

How do I install Karabiner-Elements?

Download the dmg from karabiner-elements.pqrs.org, open it and run Karabiner-Elements.pkg. With Homebrew, run brew install --cask karabiner-elements. Then open Karabiner-Elements Settings, allow each permission it asks for in System Settings, and pick a virtual keyboard layout that matches your keyboard.

What macOS version does Karabiner-Elements need?

Version 16.3.0 runs on macOS 13 Ventura through macOS 26 Tahoe on both Intel and Apple silicon Macs, and on macOS 27 on Apple silicon only. Older versions for macOS 10.9 to 12 are linked from the release notes page.

How does Karabiner-Elements compare to Keyboard Maestro?

Keyboard Maestro is a paid automation app that runs macros and can also react to keys. Karabiner-Elements does one job: it remaps keys and key combinations through rules, for free. If remapping is all you need, Karabiner-Elements covers it. For multi-step macros, it is not a replacement.

How do I check that a remapping works?

Open EventViewer, which comes with Karabiner-Elements, and press the key. It shows the events the Mac receives after your rules apply, so you can see whether a modification fired.

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