Mapping fn on 3rd party keyboard to Apple's fn/globe
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I'm considering buying a non-Apple 3rd party keyboard but had a question about its fn key.
I've been reading about how Apple's fn/globe key is unusual. I've seen [posts about patching QMK](https://jd.industries/adding-apple-globe-key-qmk/) to make third party keyboards emulate its behaviour. There is also [a long thread](https://github.com/zmkfirmware/zmk/issues/947) in ZMK's GitHub repo.
It seems like the most straightforward solution is to use Karabiner Elements. Have the fn key send some code that is not used elsewhere, and then use Karabiner to map that to fn/globe. (The keyboard's firmware is programmable.)
What I can't find confirmation of is whether that solution provides perfect 1-1 emulation of that Apple key. It has multiple uses now: as a modifier in conjunction with other keys (fn+E = Emojis & Symbols, fn+backspace = delete, fn+up = page up, fn+ctrl+F = fullscreen, etc.), it's used on its own to change input method, and obviously it's used to make the function keys act as function keys.
Can anyone confirm if using Karabiner like this does indeed allow an fn key on a 3rd party keyboard to behave *exactly* like Apple's fn/globe key?
Asked by ddbrierton
(1 rep)
Jul 4, 2025, 01:17 PM
Last activity: Jul 4, 2025, 04:58 PM
Last activity: Jul 4, 2025, 04:58 PM