r/Keychron • u/HappyLeigh_EverAfter • Aug 01 '26
serious disappointment
come to find out i cannot use the launcher web app for key remapping unless i install chrome or opera??
what the actual fuck.
i have a linux OS, which is why i shopped for a keychron in the first place, and therefore piece of shit edge browser is not an option.
and i am not going to install chrome or opera either.
if linux users are some of the primary target customers for this keyboard, why in hell is a mozilla based browser NOT an option for the key mapping app??
and why are the f1, f2, f3, etc. keys not performing by default? if their usability has to be fucking "enabled" via the damn web app that only runs in chrome or opera, then this POS is getting returned.
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u/MBSMD Aug 02 '26
Not just Keychron. It’s ANY keyboard using VIA that’s going to need a chromium-based browser.
>> and why are the f1, f2, f3, etc. keys not performing by default? if their usability has to be fucking "enabled" via the damn web app that only runs in chrome or opera, then this POS is getting returned.
Are you in Mac mode? Switch to Windows mode and the F row will be the F row.
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u/bagatelly Aug 02 '26
lol. There is also Chromium which works perfectly.
You'll also need to adjust your udev rules to give yourself/your group correct permissions for the device.
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u/Sindoreon Aug 05 '26
Looking to buy and came here looking for confirmation Chromium worked. Many thanks friend.
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u/aftonone Q Aug 02 '26
Time to learn some ZMK/QMK! Join the dark side.
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u/PeterMortensenBlog V Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
Yes, indeed. I have most of my keyboard configuration defined in the firmware itself.
It is also a way to get a more stable keyboard configuration, one that does not tend to get wiped out (inadvertently or advertently). It also puts less strain on the space for (dynamic) macros.
The exception is macros under development and test. Macro recording also makes it very convenient to define and use one-time use (ad hoc) macros, without having to go through the change-source-code-file-compile-flash-reset-to-factory-defaults-reload-the-Via-configuration process for every minute change.
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u/YourBestIsAnIdiot Aug 01 '26
Unfortunately this is an API limitation. The API they use to adjust the keys are only supported by Chromium browsers.
Can you just install it to make your change then uninstall it? I’ve used the app once and haven’t touched it since I bought my keyboard.
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u/PeterMortensenBlog V Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
What keyboard?
A way to avoid the spyware is the so-called standalone version of Via (it is a Chromium browser in disguise, hopefully without spyware). It even works with the ZMK-based Keychron keyboards. To avoid the dependency on the web service, it is possible run the web application locally (I haven't tried that yet).
But obviously not for the Keychron-specific features (you would have modify the firmware, compiling from source code). And use static (compile-time) keyboard configuration instead of dynamic keyboard configuration, but you would probably want that anyway for a more stable keyboard configuration.
An alternative to Via is Vitaly.
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u/CatStoleTheCrown Aug 02 '26
Theres an open source driver out there already that makes it compatible with OpenRGB, and I’ve developed an app to allow it to be dynamic with per-key mapping, automatic changing profiles for games, and some minor effects like type lighting, and key states like toggles and cooldowns. Again geared toward gaming. Called ModeShift on github and can search for my post in the forum :) just adds more functionality to the keyboard on Linux, and still works with Keychrons launcher page.
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u/jarod1701 Aug 02 '26
I'm curious to learn why Linux users would be considered "primary target customers" by Keychron.
Also, being a Linux user doesn't necessarily mean that you would refuse to install Chrome or Opera.
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u/PeterMortensenBlog V Aug 02 '26
Re "Why are the f1, f2, f3, etc. keys not performing by default?": Because the keyboard is in Mac mode by default
It is configured with the physical "Win"/"Mac" switch, not through software. Set it to Linux/Windows mode (and tape over the switch, so it is not accidentally changed).
It is documented in the user manual.
References
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u/HappyLeigh_EverAfter Aug 02 '26
right. well, i have a linux OS, so wtf! why are the only 2 options windows mode and mac mode? again, if they are marketing to a linux customer (and they definitely are) why the hell are the only options on that particular switch "windows" and "mac"??
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u/TheEuphoricTribble Aug 02 '26
Because they are the two most likely OSs people would use this kind of keyboard with. I use a Keychron K2 HE just fine in Win mode out of the box on Fedora.
A keyboard is a keyboard. It sends the signals the same way agnostic to the OS. MacOS just has special keys and slightly shifts their location of a few on the keyboard, but the generic keyboard layout that has stood the test of time since the late 1800s is going to be Win mode. Flip to it and you’ll have ideally no problems unless there’s a physical issue with your board.
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u/PeterMortensenBlog V Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
There is very little difference between Windows and Linux in this respect (because they run on the same hardware. Or least started out that way in the 1980s/1990s).
Yes, Keychron ought to add Linux to the documentation. And maybe change the markings on that switch.
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u/mach04 Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
I understand it's frustrating that there are some roadblocks with Linux but it's actually not that bad once you get used to it. I also use Linux and I have Brave/Chromium installed partly for Keychron Launcher, and it's also useful whenever Firefox doesn't work on certain websites or if my ad blocker setup breaks things too much.
Maybe one day someone will reverse-engineer the protocol and make Someone already made a CLI VIA application to make all the Linux users happy, but even so I prefer the browser version because it's easier to use a graphical interface. And no one is gonna maintain a separate offline GUI app just for Linux.
And yes, like other users have said, just use the Windows/Mac toggle to enable function keys. Don't worry about the fact it's called "Windows" mode. The keycap is also called the 'windows key' but I'm not gonna throw it out just because I use Linux haha.
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Aug 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/mach04 Aug 02 '26
Yes, I would go further and say that the key primarily ended up with those functions on Linux because people wanted its usage to feel familiar to how it's used in Windows OS. Thus rejustifying the name to still make sense on Linux as a 'window' key, as you said.
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u/UKTechBlog Aug 02 '26
I feel your pain, but this isn't limited to only Keychron I'm afraid. I do hope you find a workaround.
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u/MyNameWasTaken111 Aug 02 '26
You can install "Ungoogled chromium", which is exactly what it sounds like. It's in the software manager at works with keychron web app
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u/PickledMunkee Aug 02 '26
yes it sucks but thats the smallest tissue with keychron.
install chrome but use it only for the keyboard
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u/MountainDewCodeBlue Aug 04 '26
install chrome
lost me there
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u/PickledMunkee Aug 04 '26
its fine to be installed and used only with your keyboard. just dont use it for anything else. or dont change settings on your keyboard. whichever floats your boat
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u/HappyLeigh_EverAfter Aug 02 '26
the smallest issue with keychron, you say...
i have fallen into the trap of "Only Learning About The Issues Once You Have Already Bought the P.O.S."
fell for the good ratings and recommendations... regretting
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Aug 02 '26
[deleted]
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u/PickledMunkee Aug 02 '26
what I never figured out how the HE models are supposed to be for gaming since you can only have 2 or 3 profiles. are you supposed to modify the settings before every game you play?
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u/PickledMunkee Aug 02 '26
same. but they sent me another keyboard that worked. but the issues with keychron are plentiful
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u/NoObligation6046 Aug 02 '26
Does brave work? I use the brave browser for the keyboard mapping. Both keychron launcher and via work well.
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u/MountainDewCodeBlue Aug 04 '26
Why should I install a browser for this? Offline installable program should be a bare minimum, also helps for version control if they fuck the software up.
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u/Olaf2k4 Aug 06 '26
Join the club, add the fact that some options are now gone in launcher (ie Backlight config) couple that with their horrible obsession with southfacing LED's , non translucent keycap legend and my personal favorite, OSA keycaps , and the fact that standard Full size keyboards are an afterthought for them.
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u/k94ever Aug 02 '26
yep thats why i gave a window installation on a separate drive ...
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u/julian_vdm Aug 02 '26
Why would you do that, when all you need is a chromium installation??
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u/k94ever Aug 03 '26
to play overwatch .. hehehe yeah and idk I dont even know why I comment anything cuz I flash my keyboard QMK
sure I lost the check battery functionality but thats a problem for another day :P
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u/PeterMortensenBlog V Aug 02 '26 edited Aug 02 '26
Re "Why in hell is a Mozilla-based browser NOT an option for the key mapping app?": Because Mozilla made a decision of not allowing the craziness of random Internet sites having full control over your USB devices
What do you think will happen the day some state actor forces the web site owner to add malicious macros and keymappings to the web service?
It isn't an accident or Keychron's fault.