Do Das Mechanical Keyboards Work with Mac? (Full Setup Guide)

Das Keyboard makes some of the sturdiest & fun mechanical keyboards out there! They’re respected by gamers & enthusiasts alike…

But do Das Mechanical keyboards work with Mac computers?

Yes, all Das Keyboard mechanical keyboards are fully compatible with Mac, and some models come with Mac-specific keycaps out of the box. However, you will likely need to make 1-2 minor updates in macOS system preferences (swapping the modifier keys) in order to set up the keys correctly. Also, the customization software Das Keyboard Q also works with both Windows and Mac.

While the “for Mac” models of the Das Keyboard 4 are nice–Mac users can still grab ANY Das Keyboard they want and make it work just fine!

Below I’ll show you exactly how to set up your Das Keyboard to work on Mac, AND dive into some ways to program custom key binds, macros, and even fancier stuff (via Das Keyboard Q, their customization software). 😎

Let’s go ⌨️

Do Das Mechanical Keyboards Work With a Mac?

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

  • Das Keyboard 4 Professional (the most popular model)
  • Das Keyboard MacTigr (a new keyboard made specifically for Mac)
  • Model S Professional (the “for Mac” version or not!)
  • Etc
Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac Wired Mechanical Keyboard, Cherry MX Brown Mechanical Switches, 2-Port USB 3.0...
  • 4 PROFESSIONAL MECHANICAL KEYBOARD - The thinnest mechanical keyboard in the world! The combination of tactile feel, the psycho-acoustic experience and incredible craftsmanship all deliver an...
  • PREMIUM TACTILE EXPERIENCE - Best-in-class Cherry MX Brown mechanical key switches provide tactile and audio feedback so accurate it allows you to execute every keystroke with lightning-fast...
  • UP TO 50 MILLION KEYSTROKES - Laser-etched keycaps for maximum durability are paired with Cherry MX Brown switches, giving your new mechanical keyboard life up to 50 million keystrokes....

All of these work on Mac.

However, it’s worth noting that Das Keyboard 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 Das Keyboard 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 Das Keyboard 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 Das Keyboard get 99% functionality on any MacOS device.

Let’s get into it.

How to Setup Your Das Keyboard for Mac Computers:

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

NOTE: This applies to the “Windows” version Das Keyboard, i.e. the ones that do NOT say “for Mac.”

The “for Mac” keyboards should have their modifier keys appropriately mapped right out of the box! But if they don’t for whatever reason, just follow the instructions.

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 Das Keyboard keyboard on your Mac.

Does Das Keyboard Q Work on Mac?

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

You can use Das Keyboard Q to…

  • Customize keybinds, RGB, and macros
  • Use the RGB to show you RAM usage, weather forecast, Gmail & Trello notifications, and MORE!!

Turning your Das Keyboard into a “smart keyboard” with life alerts is one of the coolest features of Das Keyboards, period. And it works great on Mac 👍

Here’s how to install Das Keyboard Q software on Mac Computers:

  • Head to the Das Keyboard download page
  • Download & install the software
  • Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your specific keyboard

And if you want to go even further with your Das Keyboard, install the Q software AND one of the tools like Keyboard Maestro for Mac (see below)!.

Troubleshooting tips if you experience any problems connecting or using Das Keyboard

If you’re having trouble connecting your Das Keyboard 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 Das Keyboard 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 Das Keyboard support or post on Reddit

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

  1. Head to Das Keyboard’s website and contact their support team. Das Keyboard seems to have a customer support team that’s fast! (they use a ticketing system)
  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, Das Keyboard 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 Das Keyboard Keyboards

keyboard maestro

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

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 Das Keyboard 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:

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.

Can you use a Das Keyboard on a Mac?

Yes, Das Keyboard keyboards will work with Mac computers. Some models are listed as “for Mac,” and will work right out of the box. However, the other models will require you to change the modifier key settings under System Preferences first (to switch the Command & Option keybinds). You can also use software like Das Keyboard Q or Keyboard Maestro to adjust keybinds, macros, etc, to your preferences.

Do Das Keyboard keyboards need software?

No, Das Keyboard 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, Das Keyboard’s gaming software (Das Keyboard Q) does greatly enhance the keyboard experience and is fully compatible with both MacOS and Windows.