MacOS user? Or a recovering Apple Keyboard person? Don’t worry!
Yes, Redragon mechanical keyboards are compatible with Mac, but you’ll need to open your System Preferences and tweak a few settings to make it work (the keyboard modifiers). This should let any Redragon keyboard operate smoothly on MacOS.
I’ll also break down some other Mac tips & tricks for your Redragon mech.
Let’s dive in⌨️
Do Redragon Mechanical Keyboards Work With a Mac?
Yes, they will! I’ll walk you through the settings just below.
BUT–it’s worth noting that Redragon 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 Redragon keyboards come with keycaps showing the Windows logo (and generally don’t come with a “Command” logo keycap
- Specific Mac Functions: On some Apple keyboards, you might have access to the Launchpad, Mission Control, or Siri features. These don’t come on Redragon keyboards
If you check out the description for ALL of Redragon’s keyboards, you’ll probably see language like “limited support for MacOS” or similar.
That basically means that the keyboard doesn’t specifically have Mac-specific functions (see above).
But…
All that said, there are a few simple tweaks that can make your Redragon keyboard 99% functionality on any MacOS device.
Let’s get into it.
How to Connect Redragon to a Mac Computer
More Tips: Can a mechanical keyboard work on a Mac? Full Setup Guide
Here are the steps:
- Plug your keyboard into your Mac
- Open System Preferences → Keyboard
- Under the “Modifier Keys…” dropdown, switch the Option and Command keys. This will put your modifier keys in the correct order for a Mac
That’s it! You should now have a fully functioning Redragon keyboard on your Mac.
Will Redragon’s software work on Mac? No.
It’s worth noting that Redragon’s keyboard software downloads are Windows-only.
(Technically, you could use the bootcamp program (it’s like Windows for Mac) to open the software, I personally don’t think it’s worth the trouble).
The Redragon software allows you to change various key mappings, RGB settings, macros, etc.
It’s handy if you’re on Windows–but I don’t think it’s a deal breaker!
You can edit Redragon’s RGB settings right from the keyboard shortcuts (check your keyboard’s manual), and you can change the modifier keys right on your Mac, etc!
Troubleshooting tips if you experience any problems connecting or using Redragon
If you’re having trouble connecting your Redragon 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 Redragon 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:
- Disconnect the keyboard
- Head to Finder and click the hard drive icon (under Devices)
- Head to the Library folder, and then the Preferences folder
- Click on the file named com.apple.keyboardtype.plist and drag that into the trash!
- Empty your trash
- 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 Redragon support or post on Reddit
If you’re still having issues connecting the Redragon to your Mac, you might either…
- Head to Redragon’s website and contact their support team. Redragon is a long-established gaming brand, so they have a decent support staff!
- Post on the r/mk subreddit with your issue (be detailed)
Mechanical Keyboard Tips for Mac Users
There are a few other tips and tricks to making the most out of your mechanical keyboard (Redragon or otherwise btw!) on a Mac:
- Via (only for Via-supported keyboards)
- Keyboard Maestro: A SLICK hotkey & macro tool that’s cheap and flexible!
Related Posts:
As far as Via goes–Redragon keyboards are not currently supported.
Most budget mechanical keyboards aren’t supported by Via, so that’s no surprise. It’d be nice though!
We recommend grabbing Keyboard Maestro!
Keyboard Maestro is a GAME-CHANGER for any Mac user, really, but especially if you’re constantly switching mechanical keyboards, etc.
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).
Other Mac-friendly keyboards
Though we love everything that Redragon puts out, there are several other keyboards that work great for Macs too!
- Keychron Keyboards (can’t go wrong with the 75% K2, or the low-profile K7)
- Anne Pro 2
- Budget Pick: RK84 (this has a Fn keybind to switch between macOS and Windows)
Want to see our full list? Read this post: The 7 Best Mechanical Keyboards for Mac.
Redragon F.A.Q.s
Is the Redragon K552 compatible with Mac?
Yes! The Redragon K552 is compatible and usable on Mac machines, but you’ll need to change a few simple settings (specifically the modifier keys) in order to make it work.
Does the Redragon s101 work on Mac?
Yes again! The Redragon s101 offers “limited MacOS support” per Redragon. You’ll simply need to swap the modifier keys and a few other settings to make it fully functional. It’s a quick fix.
How do you change the Redragon keyboard color on a Mac?
You can change the RGB on your Redragon keyboard with a shortcut. Hold down the FN key (function) and press the Right Arrow key. This will toggle between RGB modes. If you’re having trouble finding your FN key on a Mac, check your modifier key settings under system preferences.