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 16.0.0
Bug Fixes
- Fixed an issue where modifier keys could remain stuck when physical keyboard events were missed during capture.
- Fixed an issue where reordering in Complex Modifications and Profiles didn’t work properly when dragging while scrolling.
- Fixed an issue where variables in expressions were not properly initialized when unset.
Improvements
- Changed to call exit instead of abort to suppress crash reports when a fatal error prevents CFRunLoop from running in background processes.
- If Accessibility permission makes Input Monitoring permission unnecessary, only Accessibility permission will be requested.
Full list of changes available here
Karabiner Elements for Mac
Free
In English
Version 16.0.0
Write a detailed review about Karabiner Elements
What customers like
What needs improvements
(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?
