Karabiner-elements: Make fn key work as control key?

[flaugher]

Do you plan to modify Karbiner Elements so that we can use the fn key as the left or right control key? I'm using Karbiner Elements 0.90.81 on macOS Sierra 10.12.2 and I'm not able to get that mapping to work. Thanks.

[tekezo]

It works on my machine. (MacBook Pro 2014)

[Wucasch]

I agree with @flaugher
Since the latest update 0.90.82 it's not working anymore (it did before)
I also tried to compile an older version (0.90.76) resulting in the same issue.

[tekezo]

Attach the log messages in Preferences > Log tab.

[Wucasch]

This is so confusing!
I installed Karabiner Elements 0.90.82, then compiled 0.90.76 and now I'm back on 0.90.82 to attach the log messages.
Suprisingly everything works again as expected.
Don't know what fixed it, seems like my mac had a bad day or smth o_0

Anyway, thanks for the help and quick answer 👍

[ijoseph]

Greetings,
Remapping fn appears to not work for me, _but only on my external keyboard_. It works fine on my built-in keyboard.

I'm using version 0.91.12 on a "MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)."

I did some experimenting and looked at the logs; the following shows up after I try to set the relevant map.

[2017-08-10 18:14:37.024] [info] [grabber] core_configuration is updated. [2017-08-10 18:14:37.024] [info] [console_user_server] Load karabiner.json... [2017-08-10 18:14:37.024] [info] [console_user_server] core_configuration is updated. [2017-08-10 18:14:37.025] [info] [grabber] Isaac Joseph’s Mouse (device_id:6) is ignored. [2017-08-10 18:14:37.025] [info] [grabber] Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad (device_id:5) is ignored. [2017-08-10 18:14:37.025] [info] [grabber] Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad (device_id:3) is ignored. [2017-08-10 18:14:37.025] [info] [grabber] (vendor_id:0x5ac, product_id:0x8600) (device_id:2) is ignored. [2017-08-10 18:14:37.025] [info] [grabber] HP Link-5 Micro Receiver (device_id:1) is ignored.

However, this is exactly what shows up when I add a working map (one other than fn ↦ control), so this might not be informative.

I have the HP external keyboard selected:

[stale[bot]]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[GLosch]

I'm experiencing the same issue as @ijoseph. Using an external keyboard, remapping the function key to something else has no effect. I'm using a Red Scarf keyboard and trying to map fn -> right_option

[stale[bot]]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has not had recent activity. It will be closed if no further activity occurs. Thank you for your contributions.

[lmsmartins]

Same issue here. Not able to remap fn as left ctrl key. I'm able to remap left ctrl key as fn key though.
I'm using version 12.1.0.

[Kejia]

the external keyboard's _fn_ key seems not to trigger _EventViewer_.

[byrnedo]

also seeing this with fn keystrokes not showing in event viewer

[tshrjn]

The function key is not triggering the EventViewer & thus, unable to remap it.

[zecanard]

Have you tried with a Simple Modification?

[tshrjn]

@zecanard Would you please more details?

[zecanard]

If you just need to remap the fn key to another key, open Karabiner Elements Preferences → Simple Modifications. You can remap fn to another key there.

If that remap works and you need to assign fn to a more complex modification, according to my karabiner.json file the key_code for that key is just fn

[lchao1]

@tshrjn
The reason is because "The operation can’t be completed because the item “Karabiner-EventViewer” is locked." (https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/getting-started/features/)