How to set up keyboard switching on mac. Change the system language and keyboard layout on macOS

Instructions for changing the keyboard layout on the MaBook and adding a new input language.

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People who have been using personal computers for a long time operating system Windows, reseeding to macbook collide next to certain problems associated with its development. Because operating systems Windows and MacOS differ significantly from each other, even the performance of the most simple tasks such as switching keyboard layouts can be confusing for an inexperienced user.

In our article, we will tell you how to change the keyboard layout on a computer running an operating system. MacOS and how to add new language input.

How to change the input language in the Mac OS operating system using the keyboard?

All users Windows know that in this operating system, the default keyboard layout is changed by pressing key combinations Ctrl + Shift or Alt + Shift. In operating system MacOS the principle of changing the language layout is the same, however, the combination of buttons is slightly different.
MacBook keyboard has a unique button cmd (command), with which you can perform a lot of useful actions. It is located on both sides of the button. Space (space) and is a kind of analogue of the Alt button on a standard keyboard.
To change the language on a computer running an operating system MacOS, you must press a combination of buttons cmd + space. Also, sometimes, to change the default language, a combination of buttons is set Ctrl+Space.

In the event that you use three or more languages to enter, use the button combination Cmd+Option+Space to select the language you want.

How to add a new language layout in the Mac OS operating system: instructions

If you want to add a new input language pack, you need to do the following:

Step 1.

In the left upper corner screen, click on the Apple logo to open the main menu of the device.
In the context menu that appears, select the line " System settings ».

Step 2.

In the window that opens, go to the " Language and region"And in the next window on the left side, click on the plus sign to add a new language.

Step 3.

From the list that appears, select the language you want to add, and then apply the settings.
In the event that you need only one language for work, you can uncheck all the others.

How to change the keyboard shortcut for changing the language in the Mac OS operating system?

If it is inconvenient for the user to use the standard combination of buttons to change the language, he can easily replace them with a convenient one. This is done as follows:

Step 1.

Open the main menu of the device again by clicking on the Apple icon in the upper left corner.
In the list that appears, select the line " System settings».

Step 2.

In the window that opens, go to the " Keyboard” and then in the upper part of the window, click on the tab “ Keyboard shortcut».

Step 3.

On the left side of the window that opens, select the " Keyboard shortcut».
In the window that appears, click on the set combination of buttons to change the language and replace them with the ones you like best.

IMPORTANT: Before assigning a new keyboard shortcut, make sure that it is not being used to execute some other command. Otherwise, pressing this combination will perform two actions at once.

VIDEO: How to switch language on Apple laptop keyboard?

I have always envied English-speaking computer users, because in most cases they do not have to deal with several input languages. No need to constantly switch to write some words, website addresses and email.

One language on the keyboard significantly increases the speed of work and minimizes the chance to send interlocutors abra-kadabra if you accidentally forget to press ⌘ + space.

There are many useful programs and tricks to make it easier to work with several languages, let's look at the most worthy solutions.

1. AutoCorrect

The easiest way to get rid of unnecessary switches is to add autocorrect for frequently used words. For example, due to my line of work, in each article I have to mention Apple and the company's gadgets several times. You can set up convenient abbreviations for automatic replacement.

This is done as follows:

Go to Settings - Keyboard - Text.
Click «+» and enter the desired abbreviation in the left column.
In the right, indicate the word to be replaced.

Everything is very simple and in most cases in this way you can minimize the number of language switches.

Advantages:

easy to set up;
no additional software required;
you can use an unlimited number of languages for automatic replacement;
settings are transferred to other devices via iCloud.

Flaws:

it takes a long time to develop a dictionary;
to enter the addresses of sites and e-mail, you will have to drive them into the settings;
the method will not work if the second language is used fully.

2. PuntoSwitcher

One of the most famous application for automatically switching keyboard layouts has long been registered under the wing of Yandex. The program works on Windows and macOS and in most cases copes with its task. The user can indiscriminately type text in several languages, and PuntoSwitcher will automatically switch to the desired one.

PuntoSwitcher was for me out of the category must have when I was working on Windows computers. The utility behaved correctly and practically did not fail. When switching to macOS, I was unpleasantly surprised. PuntoSwitcher behaves well for the first six months, but then it starts to show off (either the cache is clogged, or something else). Only the complete removal of the application with the cleaning of all parameters and a clean installation helps.

On two different Macs, after a few months of work, the program starts to think a little, it can freeze for a second, skipping a couple of entered characters. When working with HTML - generally trouble. Often the utility captures part of the code and translates it into another language, does not notice words that are not separated by a space from characters, and makes a number of other errors.

Advantages:

everything is simple and works without additional settings;
Yandex lovers along with the program get a quick search;
You can set many rules and exceptions.

Flaws:

does not always work correctly, you need to replenish the dictionary yourself;
the program icon in the menu bar does not display the current language (you have to leave the standard indicator);
after a certain time the program starts to fail.

3. Convenient layout switching

When using multiple languages on a Mac, you have to go round and round to get to the right one. Even when working with two layouts in full screen mode, you never know which one is activated in this moment. You need to either start writing or hover over the menu bar.

You can make the task easier with the MLSswitcher application. The settings specify keyboard shortcuts for switching to a specific language layout; in addition, you can configure another shortcut for changing languages.

Advantages:

fast switching to a specific layout, not the next / previous one.
you can set an additional keyboard shortcut to switch input languages.

Flaws:

having to keep running an app that just adds a couple of hotkeys to macOS

4. Special keyboard layout

The problem of switching input languages is of interest to many users, some of them offer a rather original way out of the situation. On the open spaces of the network you can find a special keyboard layout of Mephodice-Birman.

To install it you need:

download the layout to your Mac (Clone or Download button on the right);
put a file mefodica-birmana.bundle along the path "/Library/Keyboard Layouts/".;
go to Settings - Keyboard - Input Sources and add a new layout.

The feature of this layout is that it contains both Russian and english characters. Switching is done by pressing CapsLock. At the same time, the Russian layout can be completely deleted and the standard language switching can be disabled in the settings so as not to periodically fall into English.

It turns out quite unusual, but you quickly get used to it. The main advantage is the language indicator light on the CapsLock key. If it is lit, we write in Russian, and if not, in English. Do not forget that the inconvenient arrangement of characters in the layout can always be changed by .

Advantages:

convenient switching of layouts with one button;
light indicator (for those Macs on which CapsLock is highlighted);
layout can always be modified for yourself.

Flaws:

you have to get used to the new way of switching;
the language indication in the menu bar will not work.

5. Language switching indicators

If you decide to use the bilingual layout from the previous paragraph, be sure to get an indicator app. It will help you see which layout is currently enabled.

You can use the original Capster utility, or download
An alternative display method can be obtained after installing the ShowyEdge application. The utility will display a small thin bar at the very top of the screen, which will tell you which language is currently enabled. In the options, you can set the size of the highlighted area and choose a combination of colors for each language.

This program is perfect for those who often work with applications in full screen mode.

The utility will allow you to display the input language indicator right next to the cursor. A small flag will immediately make it clear which language is currently enabled.

Please note that two latest apps are tied exclusively to standard keyboard layouts, they will not work with the modified layout from the previous section.

Advantages:

indicator applications save time and allow you to quickly understand which keyboard language is currently active;
working with such programs in full screen mode is a pleasure, you can even hide the status bar on a Mac.

Flaws:

the utilities do not solve the problem with switching the language in any way, but simply visually display the selected layout.

Here is a selection of programs turned out for easy language management on Mac. We would be very interested to know what solutions you use, whether the need to switch languages is a problem or difficulty for you.

One of the first things a user wants to do on their new MacBook is to switch of English language into Russian. Out of habit, he presses the buttons that he used on Windows, but he does not get any result. The traditional Ctrl+Shift and Alt+Shift don't work. In fact, everything is simple: Mac OS differs from Windows in both hot keys and commands. There is nothing complicated in working with the MacBook, you just need to get used to it and remember the main points.

Notice the Command (cmd) button next to the space bar. With it, you can perform many actions, including changing the layout.

1st way. Find the Command button and press Command+Space.
2nd way. Press Ctrl+Space.
3rd way. Click on the checkbox in the menu bar.

If the switching did not occur, we check whether the keyboard is in working condition. If other commands are executed, then technically everything is in order, but some tweaks are required. Let's get them through.

Language change setting

Find the apple icon at the top left and click on it. Select "System Settings" from the drop-down list.
In the window that appears, we see the label "Language and Region", click.
A window appears where in the “Preferred Languages” item there is a list of those options that can be switched by commands from the keyboard.
If Russian (or other necessary) language is not there, you need to click on the "plus" and add it.
If you set Russian as the main language, all elements of the Mac OS interface will be displayed in it. But in order for this feature to take effect, you must restart your computer.
We check if the hot keys work: Cmd + space and Ctrl + space.

The language switches from the second time. What to do?

"Hot" keys are configured and working, but the layout switches from one to another only on the second attempt. Why does it happen?

This feature appeared after the release of Mac OS Sierra and is a hotkey conflict. The fact is that it was after the upgrade to this version of the OS that the famous voice assistant Siri appeared. And Siri is called by the combination Cmd + space. So it turns out that the system does not understand on the first try what you want from it.

Fixing this problem is easy, just go to the assistant settings and change the combination of buttons to call it. Similarly, the data for other applications changes, if suddenly they also matched.

Change Siri settings. Step-by-step instruction

Click on Apple, then on the menu item "System Preferences".
In the window that appears, select Siri.
In the line "Keyboard shortcut" we set such an option that will be convenient to use to call the voice assistant.

Change hot key combination

This feature will greatly appeal to those who have switched to a MacBook, but at the same time want to keep old habits. For example, change the layout the way he is used to. We carry out the following step-by-step instructions.

Click on the apple icon at the top left, select "System Preferences".
In the new window we find the shortcut "Keyboard", in which we see several tabs on top.
Open the "Keyboard Shortcuts" tab, in the menu column on the left, select "Input Sources".
A field appears in which you need to click on the current option and type the desired combination on the keyboard. For example, Ctrl+Shift, and you don't have to remember anything new.

Changing the layout using the Punto Switcher app

The Punto Switcher app from Yandex is perhaps the most convenient way change layout on macbook The fact is that it makes changes automatically and you don’t have to click anywhere at all. What is the principle of this application?

Let's say you want to type the word "cars", but you currently have English. You print and you get strange word vfibys. Punto Switcher sees that an error has occurred and switches you to Russian, and the word translates. That's all!

If you do not need the voice assistant function, disable it by unchecking the "Enable Siri" line.
If you hold Cmd while switching the layout, a list of available languages will appear, from which you can select the one you need at the moment.

That's all you need to know about switching keyboard layouts on a MacBook. If the article was useful to you, leave your comments!

Not everyone is perfect with a MacBook from the very beginning, some users are switching to an Apple product from a personal computer to Windows. As a result, questions arise about simple commands, the execution of which differs between these computers. One of the most asked questions: "How to change the layout on a MacBook?". In this article, we will answer the question and tell you how to change the language on your macbook with a few keys. As you understand, changing the language is not difficult - you need to press the combination of two keys "Space + Command". If these keys do not change the language, then the combination "Option + Command + Space" will help you. It's simple, but we want to show you how to add the missing input language.

The first way to change the input on the operating system MAC OS X

We hope that you understand - you can switch the layout both on the macbook and on home computer Mac. The keyboard is no different, so all the commands are the same here. Let's start simple. The MAC OS X operating system initially has a “Russian keyboard”, it is called that in the settings. Everything is fine in it, with the exception of the “Yo” key - unfortunately it is not.

If you, like 95% of Internet users, are replaced in all words “E” by “E” (and the spelling rules allow you to do this), then the described method will help you make the switch. Go to System Preferences, then go to "Language and Text", find "Input Source". A list of available layouts will open in front of you, there we put a checkmark in front of “Russian - PC”, it is desirable to remove the checkmark next to “Russian” so that there are two of them in the list, and not more.

The second way is more difficult

Now let's learn a way to change the layout more difficult. But if you master it, then your keyboard will magically get the letter layout with the letter Y. If you are ready to spend 10 minutes of your precious time on the layout, then this method is for you. Here we need keyboard layer files. Download these files from here. Next, the downloaded files must be sent to the system folder at Library/Keyboard Layout. After that, a real and full-fledged Russian layout, called BG 46, will appear in the list from the method above. In it, the dot will be in its usual place, and the letter “Ё” will also appear. In general, now you get a comfortable standard keyboard.

Shift features

I also wanted to say a few more words about the change between sets and the incorrect language detection for spell checking in MS Word for the MAC operating system. We wrote above that switching occurs using the “Space + Command” command. You won't be able to switch anything with the "ALT + Shift" command, because both of these buttons serve as a modifier. You should not delve into this term, just remember, you can’t switch anything with these MacBook buttons.

There are beta versions software, which are able to create a combination of control + Shift or Option + Shift in order to switch the language. But many users believe that such a change is not harmonious in the MacBook keyboard. In addition, these applications do not work on all versions of the MAC OS X operating system.

Changing layouts often contributes to the failure of spell checking in MS Word for the MAC operating system. If this happens, then we observe how the entire text in Russian becomes underlined in red. This defect is quite easily treated. We go to the "Service" - we find the Language tab there and change it to Russian, respectively. So, now you know how to set up a new layout and customize the keyboard.

Despite the fact that MAC OS X has come a long way to improve, they still have some inconveniences, for example, few people know how to switch the language on a Macbook.

This is due to the fact that the “shortcut” for changing the keyboard layout is not provided for in this OS at all, so most new users are faced with the problem of not knowing how to change the language on a MacBook. But in fact, changing the layout is quite simple.

Changing the layout

So, you can change the layout by simultaneously pressing the "space" and the "Cmd" key. But, the problem may lie in the fact that this combination will already be assigned to the search string call. Therefore, before you switch the language on the keyboard on your Macbook, you need to go to "System Preferences", then select the "Keyboard" item and select "Keyboard Shortcuts" for Spotlight there.

how to switch keyboard language on macbook

In order to learn how to change the language on a MacBook on the keyboard, you need to carefully follow the following instructions.

You need to go to the "Keyboard" and "Input Sources" item, where you will need to activate the same layout combinations to change it.

how to change language on macbook

Moreover, before you change the language on the keyboard on a MacBook, you need to understand the fundamental difference between choosing the next and previous input source options. In the event that you use the key combination "Space" and "Cmd", the layout will return to the previous one, and when you press it again, it will again become the same as it was before. Switching will occur exclusively between 2 languages.

For those people who need more than two languages, you need to use the shortcut "Space" + "Option" + "Cmd". Therefore, before changing the language on a MacBook, it is best to swap the key combinations for greater convenience. But if you use them not so often, then you can leave everything as it is.

Russian layout

How to change language on macbook to russian? If you have not added the Russian layout, then this can be done manually in the "System Settings" menu, then go to "Keyboard", then "Input Source". Here you need to find the Russian layout, it will be called "Russian-PC".

If necessary, in the same menu, you can delete unused layouts or add new ones. In general, experts recommend installing "YouType". After that, the active layout will always be displayed near your mouse cursor.