Apple USB Keyboard

illando

I'm using an Apple USB Keyboard connected to my Retropie.
It's working plug'n play like a normal USB keyboard except for the function keys (F1 to F12).
To press those keys I have to press also the "fn" button every time .

Anyone knows if it's possible to change or install the correct keyboard layout?

jonnykesh

@illando That's how it's designed to work.

illando

@jonnykesh
Ok, I understand. So let me change the question, is there any way to make it act as a normal PC Keyboard?

jonnykesh

@illando I know that using MacOS you can change the behaviour. I also know that it can be changed under Windows and Linux.
This is something that is handled at a basic OS level so it is not anything to do with RetroPie directly. If you don't have a desktop environment installed it's going to involve finding the appropriate config file and manually editing it. If you have a desktop installed there might be a quick and easy way to change the behaviour.
Have a google, it's a common request people have regarding these keyboards so there will be LOTS of answers. Just a matter of finding the one that works for you.

illando

@jonnykesh Thanks for your help!
I don't have any desktop environment installed, just retropie.
As I can understand if I have no Linux installed to run retropie there should be a file inside of it that I could modify to make this change.
Am I right?
So I'm asking here for help to find it.

jonnykesh

@illando You do have Linux. RetroPie is built on Raspbian, a fork of Debian optimised for the Pi.

mitu

@illando RetroPie is not an OS, but it's based on Raspbian Linux. Here's is an answer that might help you: https://askubuntu.com/questions/7537/how-can-i-reverse-the-fn-key-on-an-apple-keyboard-so-that-f1-f2-f3-are-us.

illando

@jonnykesh
Just found exactly what I was searching for.
It seems pretty easy, just need to modify 1 parameter in a file.
https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/questions/15898/apple-usb-keyboard-how-to-make-function-keys-work-as-function-keys-without-ha
the problem is there's no "hid_apple.conf" in that directory on my SD card.

mitu

@illando said in Apple USB Keyboard:

the problem is there's no "hid_apple.conf" in that directory on my SD card.

Create the file, by default it will not be there.

illando

@mitu
yes, but I think I need to put some codes there, like in the original file that is present by default in other Linux
I don't think placing in "/etc/modprobe.d/" an empty file named "hid_apple.conf" with the string "options hid_apple fnmode=2"written inside will be enough!

mitu

@illando There is no 'original' file. Don't over think it, create the file, add the contents there, reboot and check.
EDIT: obviously save the file before rebooting :)

illando

@mitu
It worked!
Thanks for your help!!!!

edmaul69

@mitu i haven't done it for a while but i was pretty sure in raspi config keyboard settings there was an option to set to apple keyboard. Im not at home to verify but i was sure that was how i did it.

caver01

@edmaul69 Yes, you can do that, and I have, but it still has the Fn problem with the Fkeys unti you do the hid_apple.conf fix.

jonnykesh

@caver01 @edmaul69 The Fn plus F-key is how the keyboard is designed to work, so just changing the kb type will make it function as designed. It needs to be adjusted to get "normal" PC behaviours.