[EN] Keychron K8 und Linux

Keychron K8

Since my Logitech G413 Carbon unfortunately decided that it would be really cool if a keycap broke so that half of it got stuck in the switch, I bought a new keyboard.

It has become a Keychron K8 with Gateron G Pro Blue Switches, with full RGB in a practical aluminum frame.

First impression

The keyboard is awesome, I really like the switches and, miraculously, I can type better with ten fingers. My brain probably perceives the clack as a better acoustic signal.

Unfortunately for me as a Linux user there is of course the well-known problem with support. But Keychron has also taken precautions here by referring to a Facebook group, where you can probably get support. However, a little internet research also does its part.

Why do you need support for a keyboard at all?

Well, by default the [F] keys are set to [FN], which resulted in me using [F12] to make my computer louder instead of opening the terminal. Unfortunately, the standard Windows key combination did not help here either.

Windows key combination to switch FN to F keys:

Press FN + X + L # for 4 seconds

The keyboard then flashes nicely but nothing happens. You can then remedy this with the following command:

echo 0 | sudo tee /sys/module/hid_apple/parameters/fnmode 
# To persist this effect 
echo "options hid_apple fnmode=0" | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/hid_apple.conf 
sudo update-initramfs -u 
# arch: 
mkinitcpio -P

And the [F] keys work as they should and with [FN] you get the media keys.