Do Corsair Keyboards Work with Mac? (Setup Guide)

Corsair makes some of the best peripherals on the planet (especially for gaming)…

But do Corsair keyboards work on Mac computers?

Yes, Corsair mechanical keyboards are fully compatible with Mac. However, there are 1-2 small tweaks you’ll need to make first (swapping the modifier keys), which is easily done in the MacOS system preferences. Also, Corsair’s customization software, iCUE, is also available and functional on Macs!

So don’t worry if you’re a keyboard nerd on a Mac!

Below I’ll show you exactly how to set up your Corsair to work on mac, AND dive into some ways to program custom key binds, macros, etc (via Corsair iCUE and otherwise) 😎

Let’s go ⌨️

Do Corsair Mechanical Keyboards Work With a Mac?

Yes, they do! I’ll walk you through the settings just below.

All of these work on Mac.

However, it’s worth noting that Corsair keyboards (and most mechanical keyboards, for that matter) are technically Windows keyboards by default.

Here’s the main difference between Mac and Windows computers:

  • The Modifier keys: These are your Control, Option, Windows, and Command keys. On a Windows keyboard, the modifier keys are in a different order than they are on a Mac.
  • The Keycaps: This won’t affect functionality, but Corsair keyboards come with keycaps showing the Windows logo (and generally don’t come with a “Command” logo keycap
  • Various Functions: On some Apple keyboards, you might have access to the Launchpad, Mission Control, or Siri features. These don’t come on Corsair keyboards

And depending on which keyboard you have, there might be some Windows-related keys (scroll lock, pause break, etc) that don’t work on MacOS out of the box (but see below!)

All that said, there are a few simple tweaks that can make your Corsair keyboard 99% functionality on any MacOS device.

Let’s get into it.

How to Setup Your Corsair Keyboard for Mac Computers:

Here are the steps:

  1. Plug your keyboard into your Mac
  2. Open System Preferences → Keyboard
  3. Under the “Modifier Keys…” dropdown, switch the Option and Command keys. This will put your modifier keys in the correct order for a Mac
mac swap modifier keys

That’s it! You should now have a fully functioning Corsair keyboard on your Mac.

More Tips: Can a mechanical keyboard work on a Mac? Full Setup Guide

Does Corsair iCUE Work on Mac?

Yes! Corsair’s customization software, iCUE, is fully Mac compatible, although you will need to make sure you download the correct Mac-friendly version of the software.

corsair iCUE software on Mac

You can use Corsair iCUE to…

  • Customize keybinds, RGB, and macros
  • Update your peripherals firmware
  • Hone your Corsair mouse sensitivity (if you use one)
  • Etc.

Here’s how to install Corsair iCUE on Mac Computers:

  • Head to the Corsair download page
  • Download & install the software
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your specific keyboard
  • NOTE: If you’re prompted to update the firmware on your keyboard, do it! That’s important!

You can check out Corsair’s YouTube channel for more iCUE tutorials!

But if you want to go even further with your Corsair keyboard, skip Corsair’s own software and use tools like Keyboard Maestro for Mac (see below)!.

Troubleshooting tips if you experience any problems connecting or using Corsair

If you’re having trouble connecting your Corsair to a Mac, or if some keys aren’t working correctly, here are a few troubleshooting tips:

Reset your external keyboard for your Mac

When you first connect your Corsair to your machine, you should see a popup assistant asking you to press a few keys to determine the layout, etc.

But you can also delete your keyboard preferences file to start from scratch.

Here’s what you do:

  1. Disconnect the keyboard
  2. Head to Finder and click the hard drive icon (under Devices)
  3. Head to the Library folder, and then the Preferences folder
  4. Click on the file named com.apple.keyboardtype.plist and drag that into the trash!
  5. Empty your trash
  6. Reconnect the keyboard via USB

You should see the setup assistant again! Follow the instructions and you should be good to go.

Reach out to Corsair support or post on Reddit

If you’re still having issues connecting the Corsair to your Mac, you might either…

  1. Head to Corsair’s website and contact their support team. Corsair is a massive company, so hopefully their support team can assist you, no problem.
  2. Post on the r/mk subreddit with your issue (be detailed)

Additional Mechanical Keyboard Tips for Mac Users

There are a few other tips and tricks to making the most out of your mechanical keyboard on a Mac:

  • Via (only for Via-supported keyboards)
  • Keyboard Maestro: A SLICK hotkey & macro tool that’s cheap and flexible!

Sadly, Corsair keyboards do not support Via or QMK–so the only way to change keybinds or other custom programming is to use Synapse 2 on Mac, or Keyboard Maestro.

Keyboard Maestro for Corsair Keyboards

keyboard maestro

Keyboard Maestro is a GAME-CHANGER for any Mac user, really, but especially keyboards that don’t support Via (like Corsair).

It does cost about $30-40 (one time, not a subscription), but it’s totally worth it.

You can use Keyboard Maestro to…

  • Set up custom keybinds for ANY key on your keyboard
  • Create custom macros
  • Change modifier keys
  • SO much more

It’s an insanely powerful tool. We highly recommend it (then check out some tutorial videos on YouTube, or here’s a great setup guide).

Other Mac-friendly keyboards

Though we love everything that Corsair puts out (especially the K70, which makes several of our best mechanical keyboard lists), there are several other keyboards that work great for Macs too!

Want to see our full list? Read this post: The 7 Best Mechanical Keyboards for Mac.

If you’re still shopping for your mech, you can also gauge more of our setup guides here:

You can also check out this post to see where Corsair keyboards are made.

Happy clacking, Mac friends!

Mac Keyboards F.A.Q.s

Are all keyboards Compatible with Mac?

Yes, 99% of computer keyboards are compatible with Mac computers. However, you will generally need to change some keyboard settings (specifically the modifier keys like “Command”) in order to maintain the normal Mac keyboard layouts. This is easily accomplished by going into the Mac System Preferences under “keyboard” and “modifier keys.”

Can a gaming keyboard work with Mac?

Absolutely! Just about any keyboard (mechanical or membrane) will work on a Mac, but you might have to tweak a few settings first (including the modifier keys). This process will be different depending on your specific keyboard, but you can start by changing the modifier keys (Command & Option, specifically) in the macOS System Preferences. With that done, your gaming keyboard should be compatible with most Mac activities.

Is Corsair Mac compatible?

Yes, Corsair keyboards will work with Mac computers. However, you’ll need to change the modifier key settings under System Preferences first (to switch the Command & Option keybinds). You can also use software like Corsair iCUE or Keyboard Maestro to adjust keybinds, macros, etc, to your preferences.

Do Corsair keyboards need software?

No, Corsair keyboards will work on both Windows and Mac when you plug in your keyboard (although you’ll want to swap your modifier keys on MacOS under System Preferences). However, Corsair’s gaming software (iCUE) does greatly enhance the keyboard experience, and is fully compatible with both MacOS and Windows.

Does the Corsair K70 keyboard work with Mac?

Yes, all Corsair keyboards (including the K70 and K55) will work on Mac computers. However, like many other Windows-focused keyboards, you will need to tweak a few settings (specifically the modifier keys) in order to maintain the Mac keyboard layouts you’re used to. Also, Corsair’s customization software, iCUE, is also fully compatible with Mac.

Related Reading: What company owns Corsair?