How to Use Non-English Windows Keyboards With Apple Devices

Many users find themselves in a situation where they want to use a Windows keyboard with their Apple devices. While this combination can be quite handy, it’s important to note that the keyboard layouts for languages other than English may not always match up perfectly. This can lead to confusion when the keys you press don’t correspond to what appears on your screen. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure a smoother experience.

Step 1: Access Keyboard Settings on Your Mac

To start, you’ll need to access the keyboard settings on your Mac. Here’s how to do it:

1. Click on the Apple logo at the top left corner of your screen.
2. Select “System Preferences.”
3. Choose “Keyboard.”

Once you’re in the Keyboard settings, you can set up the appropriate input sources.

Step 2: Add a Compatible Input Source

Apple offers several input sources that specifically cater to Windows keyboard layouts. If your keyboard layout is not in English, you can easily find a compatible option. Here’s how to do that:

1. In the Keyboard settings, click on the “Input Sources” tab.
2. Click the “+” button to add a new input source.
3. You’ll see a list of available input sources like:
   • Arabic PC
   • British PC
   • Canada PC
   • French PC
   • Finnish Sami PC
   • Hebrew PC
   • Norwegian Sami PC
   • Russian PC
   • Sami PC
   • Swedish Sami PC
4. Select the one that matches your keyboard, and click “Add.”

This setup will adjust the on-screen output to match your Windows keyboard layout.

Step 3: Create a Custom Keyboard Layout (if necessary)

If you can’t find an input source that fits your keyboard, you have another option. You can create a custom keyboard layout using a program called Ukelele. Here’s how to do it:

1. Download and install Ukelele from the official website.
2. Open the program and start a new keyboard layout.
3. Customize the layout to mirror your physical keyboard.
4. Save the layout and follow the prompts to install it on your Mac.

With this program, you can ensure that every key on your Windows keyboard corresponds perfectly to what you see on your Mac.

Step 4: Using Your Setup on iOS Devices

As of now, there isn’t a similar program available for iOS devices that allows for custom keyboard layouts. However, you can still use your Windows keyboard with your iPad or iPhone by adjusting the general input settings.

1. Go to “Settings” on your device.
2. Tap “General” and then select “Keyboard.”
3. Choose “Keyboards” and add a keyboard that corresponds to your layout.

While this won’t offer the same level of customization as Ukelele, it can help improve your typing experience.