Karabiner Elements for Mac
MacBook keyboard remapper.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission
Karabiner Elements overview
Karabiner Elements (earlier was Karabiner, and even earlier was KeyRemap4MacBook) is powerful and stable keyboard customizer for macOS.
Features:
- Simple Modifications: Map normal keys to arbitrary key functions
- Complex Modifications: Map keys by complex rules. e.g., key to modifiers, modifiers+key to key, send key event if pressed alone, etc
- Function Keys: Map function keys to arbitrary key functions
- Devices: Apply modifications to specified keyboards only
- Profiles: Support the creation of multiple profiles that the user can switch between
- Modifier Flag Sync:Synchronize modifier flags across all connected keyboards
- Secure Keyboard Entry Support:Work well on Secure Keyboard Entry environment such as a password prompt, terminal with Secure Keyboard Entry, etc
What’s new in version 15.6.0
Breaking changes
The file /Library/Application Support/org.pqrs/tmp/karabiner_grabber_manipulator_environment.json is no longer updated. You can still use EventViewer to check current variable values.
Bug Fixes
- Fixed an issue in EventViewer where new events were not added while the “Unknown Events” tab was open.
New Features
- Added a “Temporarily turns off all Karabiner-Elements modifications” toggle to EventViewer.
- Added a feature that lets you set environment variables via /Library/Application Support/org.pqrs/config/karabiner_environment.
- Added support for devices that expose the Programmable Buttons usage on the Consumer Usage Page. (e.g., VEC USB Footpedal)
- Added set_variable.expression and set_variable.key_up_expression.
- Added expression_if and expression_unless.
- Added system.now.milliseconds to variables.
- Added integer_value to the from event definition.
Improvements
- Updated the app icon for macOS 26.
- Added support for Liquid Glass.
- Reduced the load on karabiner_grabber. In particular, CPU usage is lower when handling high-frequency events (e.g., mouse input).
- Improved handling of the ignore_vendor_events setting. The UI already prevented enabling this for Apple devices, and now, even if you manually set ignore_vendor_events in karabiner.json, vendor events for Apple devices will always be processed regardless of the setting.
- Adjusted the layouts in Settings and EventViewer to show more information.
- Supported the following keys:
- generic_desktop::system_app_menu
- consumer_key_code::microphone
- consumer_key_code::selection
- pointing_button::button33 … pointing_button::button255
- Sparkle Framework has been updated.
Karabiner Elements for Mac
Free
In English
Version 15.6.0
Write a detailed review about Karabiner Elements
What customer like
Performance
Stability
Design
What needs improvements
Support
(64 Reviews of Karabiner Elements)
Comments
User Ratings
Apr 26 2025
Version: 15.3.0
Uninstalling: Further notes. Having had 3 keys permanently die on my MBA M1 (thanks Apple), I once again ventured into Karabiner Elements. It didn't help for my purposes. So I did the official uninstall. . . And using 'Find Any File' to check for remnants (because Apple's Spotlight is a hobbled POS), I found 30+ odds and end scattered around macOS. Oh and I had to kill several still running 'Elements' using Archive Monitor. It beats 'Spotify' as the most invasive application I've every encountered. Come on! This isn't Windows! 😾
Jan 7 2022
Version: 14.3.0
Trying to swap the fn and left_ctrl keys on my new Logitech MX Mini but it's not working… Like, nothing changes. Any tips?
Nov 5 2021
Version: 14.2.0
It would be great if it worked. My fn key and touchbar are completely messed up, it shows F-keys but when pressed it actually adjusts sounds/screen so it is obviously not running the F-keys.
Sep 7 2021
Version: 13.7.0
UNINSTALLING & UPDATING: Karabiner Elements is ODD in that it root locks its two apps such that no administrator can unlock them and therefore cannot toss them into the Trash for removal. BE NOT AFRAID! If you go into the 'Misc' tab inside the app, you'll find you can 'Uninstall' from there, and it works. You'll also find under that tab the 'Update' option, which will also work, despite the app being root locked. Yes, this is unheard of in my long Mac experience! But the app itself provides access to both options.
Mar 16 2021
Version: 13.3.0
Thanks Tony, being locked out from removing the app scares the hell out of me. I followed your tip, but now I have 2 remnants folders and apps I can't delete, but zero bytes, so no problem. However, after restarting I still have 4 (or maybe 5) Karabiner processes running: Karabiner-DriverKit-VirtualHIDDeviceClient
karabiner_grabber
karabiner_observer
karabiner_session_monitor and maybe kdc
Who knows what they're up to?
