# Karabiner-Elements changelog

> A powerful keyboard customizer for macOS.

- Vendor: pqrs.org
- Category: Productivity
- Platforms: macOS
- Official site: https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org
- Tracked by: What's New (https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements)
- Harvested from: GitHub (pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements)
- Entries below: 10 (newest first)

What's New is an index, not a publisher: every entry below links to the vendor's own release notes, which are the authoritative source. Entries are labelled where they are hand-curated sample data, pre-releases, or drawn from a secondary source such as a developer blog.

## Releases

### beta

- Date: 2026-07-05
- Version: beta
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/beta
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/beta
- Labels: Pre-release; beta; Platforms: macOS

- **changed** — Integrated the Multitouch Extension menu into the Karabiner-Elements menu
- **added** — Added filtering functionality to the Complex Modifications list
- **fixed** — Fixed CGEventTap leaks
- **fixed** — Fixed an issue where the core service agent could rarely abort during termination
- **fixed** — Fixed an issue where modifications could stop working for several seconds after waking from sleep on macOS
- **changed** — Karabiner-EventViewer and the Settings window are now closed after an upgrade
- **added** — Added support for unbundled GUI apps in frontmost_application_if and frontmost_application_unless

- 💥 Breaking changes
    - Integrated the Multitouch Extension menu into the Karabiner-Elements menu.
      Open the Multitouch Extension settings from the Karabiner-Elements menu.
- ✨ New Features
    - Added filtering functionality to the Complex Modifications list.
- 🐛 Bug Fixes
    - Fixed CGEventTap leaks (Thanks to @MrMage and @VitalyShein)
- ⚡️ Improvements
    - Fixed an issue where the core service agent could rarely abort during termination.
    - Fixed an issue where modifications could stop working for several seconds after waking from sleep on macOS.
    - Karabiner-EventViewer and the Settings window are now closed after an upgrade.
    - Added support for unbundled GUI apps in `frontmost_application_if` and `frontmost_application_unless`.

### v16.1.0

- Date: 2026-07-05
- Version: v16.1.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/v16.1.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/v16.1.0
- Labels: Platforms: macOS

- **added** — Add filtering functionality to the log viewer
- **fixed** — Fix ac_zoom_in and ac_zoom_out key codes being swapped
- **fixed** — Fix an issue where the settings window could open at login when the system default configuration used an old format
- **changed** — Replace the IPC backend with pqrs::unix_domain_stream to improve internal communication between Karabiner-Elements processes
- **changed** — Change update checks to run periodically, not only at startup
- **added** — Support consumer_key_code::ac_keyboard_layout_select
- **added** — Support consumer_key_code::ac_desktop_show_all_windows
- **added** — Support consumer_key_code::ac_soft_key_left
- **added** — Support consumer_key_code::ac_desktop_show_all_applications
- **fixed** — Fix typo in ComplexModificationsView
- **removed** — Remove the karabiner_session_monitor process

- [📦 Download](https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/download/v16.1.0/Karabiner-Elements-16.1.0.dmg)
- 📅 Release date
    - Jul 5, 2026
- ✨ New Features
    - Added filtering functionality to the log viewer.
- 🐛 Bug Fixes
    - Fixed the ac_zoom_in and ac_zoom_out key codes being swapped.
    - Fixed an issue where the settings window could open at login when the system default configuration used an old format.
- ⚡️ Improvements
    - Improved internal communication between Karabiner-Elements processes by replacing the IPC backend with `pqrs::unix_domain_stream`.
    - Changed update checks to run periodically, not only at startup.
    - Supported the following keys:
        - consumer_key_code::ac_keyboard_layout_select (Thanks to @PedroSebastiao)
        - consumer_key_code::ac_desktop_show_all_windows (Thanks to @omor1)
        - consumer_key_code::ac_soft_key_left
        - consumer_key_code::ac_desktop_show_all_applications
    - Fix typo in ComplexModificationsView (Thanks to @kiangkuang)
    - The `karabiner_session_monitor` process has been removed.

### v16.0.0

- Date: 2026-05-03
- Version: v16.0.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/v16.0.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/v16.0.0
- Labels: Platforms: macOS

- **added** — frontmost_application_if can now detect overlay windows such as Spotlight using the Accessibility API
- **added** — variable_if now supports accessibility.focused_ui_element.role_string, accessibility.focused_ui_element.subrole_string, accessibility.focused_ui_element.title_string, accessibility.focused_ui_element.window_position_x, accessibility.focused_ui_element.window_position_y, accessibility.focused_ui_element.window_size_height, and accessibility.focused_ui_element.window_size_width
- **added** — Generate JSON for Complex Modifications rules by writing JavaScript
- **added** — Add your own rule using JavaScript button in the complex modifications viewer
- **added** — Open in external editor button in the complex modifications editor
- **added** — Clear user variables button in EventViewer
- **added** — to.to_if_other_key_pressed for implementing conditional key presses based on other keys being pressed
- **added** — to.send_user_command for executing actions via an external server built with Karabiner-Elements-user-command-receiver
- **added** — to.from_event allowing pressed events to be passed through as-is
- **added** — relative_to and fallback_to options for software_function.set_mouse_cursor_position
- **added** — Enable CGEventTap fallback setting in Expert tab for receiving events via CGEventTap when IOHIDDeviceOpen fails
- **added** — Setup tab in Settings
- **fixed** — Fixed an issue where modifier keys could remain stuck when physical keyboard events were missed during capture
- **fixed** — Fixed an issue where reordering in Complex Modifications and Profiles did not work properly when dragging while scrolling
- **fixed** — Fixed an issue where variables in expressions were not properly initialized when unset
- **changed** — Call exit instead of abort to suppress crash reports when a fatal error prevents CFRunLoop from running in background processes
- **changed** — Request only Accessibility permission instead of both Accessibility and Input Monitoring permissions when Accessibility permission makes Input Monitoring permission unnecessary

- [📦 Download](https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/download/v16.0.0/Karabiner-Elements-16.0.0.dmg)
- 📅 Release date
    - May 3, 2026
- 🔔 Important Notes
    - Karabiner-Core-Service now requires Accessibility permission. Please enable it in System Settings.
- ✨ New Features
    - `frontmost_application_if` can now detect overlay windows, such as Spotlight, using the Accessibility API.
    - `variable_if` now supports the following variables, making it possible to change behavior depending on whether the focused element is a text area.
        - accessibility.focused_ui_element.role_string
        - accessibility.focused_ui_element.subrole_string
        - accessibility.focused_ui_element.title_string
        - accessibility.focused_ui_element.window_position_x
        - accessibility.focused_ui_element.window_position_y
        - accessibility.focused_ui_element.window_size_height
        - accessibility.focused_ui_element.window_size_width
    - You can now generate JSON for Complex Modifications rules by writing JavaScript.
    - Added an "Add your own rule using JavaScript" button to the complex modifications viewer.
    - Added an "Open in external editor" button to the complex modifications editor.
    - Added a "Clear user variables" button to EventViewer. (Thanks to @BarakXYZ)
    - Added [`to.to_if_other_key_pressed`](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/json/complex-modifications-manipulator-definition/to-if-other-key-pressed/).
      It's now possible to implement "Change option+tab to command+tab" in a more natural way and reliable way.
    - Added [`to.send_user_command`](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/json/complex-modifications-manipulator-definition/to/send-user-command/).
      By using it together with an external server built with Karabiner-Elements-user-command-receiver,
      you can execute any action from Karabiner-Elements with low latency. (Thanks to @nikivdev)
    - Added [`to.from_event`](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/json/complex-modifications-manipulator-definition/to/from-event/),
      allowing pressed events to be passed through as-is.
    - Added `relative_to` and `fallback_to` to `software_function.set_mouse_cursor_position`.
    - Added `Enable CGEventTap fallback` setting to Expert tab.
      Enable receiving events via CGEventTap for keyboards where IOHIDDeviceOpen fails for some reason.
    - Added Setup tab to Settings.
- 🐛 Bug Fixes
    - Fixed an issue where modifier keys could remain stuck when physical keyboard events were missed during capture.
    - Fixed an issue where reordering in Complex Modifications and Profiles didn't work properly when dragging while scrolling.
    - Fixed an issue where variables in expressions were not properly initialized when unset.
- ⚡️ Improvements
    - Changed to call `exit` instead of `abort` to suppress crash reports when a fatal error prevents CFRunLoop from running in background processes.
    - If Accessibility permission makes Input Monitoring permission unnecessary, only Accessibility permission will be requested.

### v15.9.0

- Date: 2026-01-19
- Version: v15.9.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/v15.9.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/v15.9.0
- Labels: Platforms: macOS

- **fixed** — Fixed an issue in v15.8.0 where the update notification window was not shown when updates were checked in the background

- [📦 Download](https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/download/v15.9.0/Karabiner-Elements-15.9.0.dmg)
- 📅 Release date
    - Jan 19, 2026
- 🐛 Bug Fixes
    - Fixed an issue in v15.8.0 where the update notification window was not shown when updates were checked in the background.

### v15.8.0

- Date: 2026-01-18
- Version: v15.8.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/v15.8.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/v15.8.0
- Labels: Platforms: macOS

- **changed** — Changed the default behavior of f6 to the Do Not Disturb key
- **added** — Added open_application.frontmost_application_history_exclusion_bundle_identifiers and open_application.frontmost_application_history_exclusion_file_paths
- **added** — Added --list-multitouch-extension-variables and --watch-multitouch-extension-variables options to karabiner_cli
- **added** — Added macOS log messages viewer to Settings
- **fixed** — Fixed an issue where the sticky modifier indicator could continue to be displayed even after being disabled in the settings
- **fixed** — Fixed an issue where karabiner_machine_identifier was not set correctly during a clean install
- **removed** — Removed the probable stuck key detector
- **added** — Added an alert that appears if communication with Karabiner-VirtualHIDDevice-Daemon is not possible
- **changed** — Improved the automatic recovery behavior from inter-process communication failures
- **changed** — Improved open_application to exclude non-application bundles from frontmost_application_history_index
- **changed** — Moved system extensions viewer to Settings from EventViewer
- **changed** — Updated EventViewer to properly display modifier flags for pointing button events
- **changed** — Improved MultitouchExtension to disable PreventUserIdleSystemSleep before the system goes to sleep
- **added** — Added support for generic_desktop::do_not_disturb key
- **changed** — Updated Sparkle Framework

- [📦 Download](https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/download/v15.8.0/Karabiner-Elements-15.8.0.dmg)
- 📅 Release date
    - Jan 18, 2026
- 💥 Breaking changes
    - Changed the default behavior of `f6` to the `Do Not Disturb` key.
- ✨ New Features
    - Added [`open_application.frontmost_application_history_exclusion_bundle_identifiers` and `open_application.frontmost_application_history_exclusion_file_paths`.](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/json/complex-modifications-manipulator-definition/to/software_function/open_application/)
    - Added the following options to karabiner_cli:
        - `--list-multitouch-extension-variables`
        - `--watch-multitouch-extension-variables`
    - Added macOS log messages viewer to Settings.
- 🐛 Bug Fixes
    - Fixed an issue where the sticky modifier indicator could continue to be displayed even after being disabled in the settings.
    - Fixed an issue where karabiner_machine_identifier was not set correctly during a clean install.
- ⚡️ Improvements
    - Removed the probable stuck key detector since we've confirmed that, on supported versions of macOS, seizing the device while keys are held down no longer causes any issues.
    - Added an alert that appears if communication with Karabiner-VirtualHIDDevice-Daemon is not possible.
    - Improved the automatic recovery behavior from inter-process communication failures.
    - Improved `open_application` to exclude non-application bundles from `frontmost_application_history_index`.
    - Move system extensions viewer to Settings from EventViewer.
    - Updated EventViewer to properly display modifier flags for pointing button events.
    - Improved MultitouchExtension to disable PreventUserIdleSystemSleep before the system goes to sleep.
    - Supported the following keys:
        - generic_desktop::do_not_disturb
    - Sparkle Framework has been updated.

### v15.7.0

- Date: 2025-11-10
- Version: v15.7.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/v15.7.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/v15.7.0
- Labels: Platforms: macOS

-   [📦 Download](https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/download/v15.7.0/Karabiner-Elements-15.7.0.dmg)
-   📅 Release date
    -   Nov 10, 2025
-   🔔 Important Notes
    -   After upgrading, make the following changes in System Settings:
        -   Enable `Karabiner-Elements Privileged Daemons v2` under App Background Activity.
        -   Enable `Karabiner-Core-Service` under Input Monitoring.
    -   karabiner_grabber has been renamed to Karabiner-Core-Service.
        Full Disk Access isn't necessary if you're just using the standard setup.
        However, if you've manually moved the karabiner.json configuration file to another location,
        [you might need to grant Full Disk Access to Karabiner-Core-Service.](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/manual/misc/configuration-file-path/)
-   💥 Breaking changes
    -   The file `/Library/Application Support/org.pqrs/tmp/karabiner_grabber_devices.json` is no longer updated.
        You can still use EventViewer and karabiner_cli to check connected devices.
-   🐛 Bug Fixes
    -   Fixed an issue where modifiers in a pending-release state under Complex Modifications were not being released when all keys were lifted.
-   ⚡️ Improvements
    -   Fixed an issue on macOS 26.1 where karabiner_grabber was missing from the Input Monitoring list in System Settings.
        Instead, Karabiner-Core-Service will now be shown.
    -   The error message in the Complex Modification Editor is now copyable.

### v15.6.0

- Date: 2025-11-03
- Version: v15.6.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/v15.6.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/v15.6.0
- Labels: Platforms: macOS

-   [📦 Download](https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/download/v15.6.0/Karabiner-Elements-15.6.0.dmg)
-   📅 Release date
    -   Nov 3, 2025
-   💥 Breaking changes
    -   The file `/Library/Application Support/org.pqrs/tmp/karabiner_grabber_manipulator_environment.json` is no longer updated.
        You can still use EventViewer to check current variable values.
-   🐛 Bug Fixes
    -   Fixed an issue in EventViewer where new events were not added while the "Unknown Events" tab was open.
-   ✨ New Features
    -   Added a "Temporarily turns off all Karabiner-Elements modifications" toggle to EventViewer.
    -   Added a feature that lets you set environment variables via [`/Library/Application Support/org.pqrs/config/karabiner_environment`](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/help/advanced-topics/set-environment-variables/).
    -   Added support for devices that expose the Programmable Buttons usage on the Consumer Usage Page. (e.g., VEC USB Footpedal)
    -   Added [`set_variable.expression` and `set_variable.key_up_expression`](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/json/complex-modifications-manipulator-definition/to/set-variable/#expression-specification).
    -   Added [`expression_if` and `expression_unless`](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/json/complex-modifications-manipulator-definition/conditions/expression/).
    -   Added `system.now.milliseconds` to variables.
    -   Added [`integer_value`](https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/docs/json/complex-modifications-manipulator-definition/from/integer-value/) to the from event definition.
-   ⚡️ Improvements
    -   Updated the app icon for macOS 26.
    -   Added support for Liquid Glass.
    -   Reduced the load on karabiner_grabber.
        In particular, CPU usage is lower when handling high-frequency events (e.g., mouse input).
    -   Improved handling of the `ignore_vendor_events` setting.
        The UI already prevented enabling this for Apple devices, and now, even if you manually set `ignore_vendor_events` in karabiner.json, vendor events for Apple devices will always be processed regardless of the setting.
    -   Adjusted the layouts in Settings and EventViewer to show more information.
    -   Supported the following keys:
        -   generic_desktop::system_app_menu
        -   consumer_key_code::microphone
        -   consumer_key_code::selection
        -   pointing_button::button33 ... pointing_button::button255
    -   Sparkle Framework has been updated.

### v15.5.0

- Date: 2025-07-29
- Version: v15.5.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/v15.5.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/v15.5.0
- Labels: Platforms: macOS

-   [📦 Download](https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/download/v15.5.0/Karabiner-Elements-15.5.0.dmg)
-   📅 Release date
    -   Jul 29, 2025
-   🐛 Bug Fixes
    -   Fixed an issue where the "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" setting wasn't correctly detected in some environments.
    -   Fixed an issue where some buttons were hard to see in Dark Mode.
-   ✨ New Features
    -   Added `Show additional menu items` option in UI tab.
    -   Added `macOS also remaps modifier keys` warning.
    -   Added `karabiner.json couldn't be loaded due to a parse error` alert.
-   ⚡️ Improvements
    -   Suppress forced icon updates (e.g., for Karabiner-Elements.app) during `karabiner_grabber` startup.

### v15.4.0

- Date: 2025-06-29
- Version: v15.4.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/v15.4.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/v15.4.0
- Labels: Platforms: macOS

##### Karabiner-Elements 15.4.0

-   [📦 Download](https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/download/v15.4.0/Karabiner-Elements-15.4.0.dmg)
-   📅 Release date
    -   Jun 29, 2025
-   🐛 Bug Fixes
    -   Fixed an overflow issue with the mouse key movements.
    -   Fixed an issue that the fn key is unintentionally tapped when use the media keys if "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" is enabled.
-   ✨ New Features
    -   Supported headset buttons.
    -   Added `Ignore vendor events` option to device settings in Devices tab.
    -   Added `XY movement multiplier` and `Wheels multiplier` to the mouse settings in Devices tab.
    -   Added `frontmost_application_history_index` option into `open_application`.
    -   Added `conditions` option into `to`.
    -   Added `Filter useless events from specific devices` option in Expert tab.
    -   Added `Reorder same timestamp input events to prioritize modifiers` in Expert tab.
    -   Added a toggle to EventViewer for monitoring events.
-   ⚡️ Improvements
    -   Migrated to the SwiftUI life cycle.
    -   Migrated to Swift 6.
    -   Improved `to_delayed_action` behavior to use the modifier flags of the time the key is pressed, when sending events.
    -   Supported the following keys:
        -   consumer::ac_zoom_out
        -   consumer::ac_zoom_in
        -   generic_desktop::system_sleep
    -   Added support for new consumer keys (Thanks to @indygriffiths):
        -   `{ "consumer_key_code": "stop" }`
        -   `{ "consumer_key_code": "bass_boost" }`
        -   `{ "consumer_key_code": "loudness" }`
        -   `{ "consumer_key_code": "bass_increment" }`
        -   `{ "consumer_key_code": "bass_decrement" }`
        -   `{ "consumer_key_code": "ac_search" }`
    -   The implicit conversion of Touch ID to the Lock key has been modified to work even when modifiers are held down.

### v15.3.0

- Date: 2024-10-28
- Version: v15.3.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/tag/v15.3.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/karabiner-elements/releases/v15.3.0
- Labels: Platforms: macOS

-   [📦 Download](https://github.com/pqrs-org/Karabiner-Elements/releases/download/v15.3.0/Karabiner-Elements-15.3.0.dmg)
-   📅 Release date
    -   Oct 28, 2024
-   🐛 Bug Fixes
    -   Fixed the behavior when setting the function keys to act as regular f1...f12 keys instead of media controls.
-   ✨ New Features
    -   Added the following variables for `variable_if`, `variable_unless`:
        -   `system.scroll_direction_is_natural`
        -   `system.use_fkeys_as_standard_function_keys`
-   ⚡️ Improvements
    -   The key names in the Function Keys settings became clearer when "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" is enabled.