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If you’re using the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard with macOS, you may notice the default key mapping feels follow the Windows standard. Unfortunately, 8BitDo’s software is Windows only, the good news though, is macOS includes everything you need to remap the keys natively. This guide walks you through how to remap the Win and Alt keys to behave like Command and Option. It will also work with other mechanical keyboard brands that have a Windows layout. No drivers or third-party tools required. If you’re wondering which one I have, it’s this Famicon-style keyboard.
How to Remap Windows Keys on the 8BitDo Mechanical Keyboard for macOS
- Use Spotlight Search (Command + Space), type “System Settings,” and press Enter.
- In the Settings sidebar, type “keyboard” into the search bar. Click on the “Keyboard” option when it appears.
- Scroll down and click “Keyboard Shortcuts.” In the pop-up window, click “Modifier Keys…” located at the bottom right.
- In the Modifier Keys window, use the dropdown menu at the top right to select your 8BitDo keyboard. It may appear as “USB Keyboard” or something similar.
- Change the following settings:
- Option Key – Command
- Command Key – Option
- This will swap the keys to match the standard Mac layout, so the Win key functions as Command and the Alt key functions as Option.
- Click Done! You’re Done!
Tip: macOS remembers modifier key settings per device. If you switch between multiple keyboards, each one can have its own custom configuration. Useful, if like me, you move your Mac laptop between work and home and have different keyboards in each location. This means you don’t need to reset things when you use a proper macOS keyboard.
Hope this helps someone else!
Any and all advice, guides, and reviews are unbiased and based on my personal experience. If you buy through affiliate links, I may earn commissions, which helps support my website. This does not have an impact on posts or my opinion of any reviewed products. If you find this post helpful and want to say thanks, please buy me a coffee or take a look at my book on Amazon. It keeps this page ad-free. Thank you!