Tilde key on Mac Air with Ubuntu

Question

By default, no layout on my Macbook Air allows me to print backtick (`) and tilde (~) symbols. Instead, I get backslash, pipe or whatever, depending from the layout.

I changed the behavior of the key that I want to use to print tilde using the following commands:

xev
<press tilde button>
keycode <keycode from xev output> = grave asciitilde >~/.Xmodmap
xmodmap ~/.xmodmaprc 

(instructions are based on these https://stackoverflow.com/questions/17757232/switch-tab-and-backtick-keys-ubuntu-linux)

But unfortunately, after I switch the layout, I get the default behavior again.

How to make these changes permanent?

Solution 1

Okay, I solved the problem.

First off, xmodmaprc doesn't work in Ubuntu 14.04. The solution is to edit xkb (X KeyBoard extension) config files.

Find the file /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/pc, backup it, then open and comment out the line:

key <LSGT> {    [ less, greater, bar, brokenbar ] };

And on the next line, add the following:

key <LSGT> { [ grave, asciitilde, grave, asciitilde ] };

If you need to change configuration for another locale, check the folder /usr/share/X11/xkb/symbols/ and find the file corresponding to the locale you want to change.

To apply the changes, you have to remove all xkb cache files:

rm -rf /var/lib/xkb/*

Solution 2

The solution that worked for Timofey did not work for me for some reason. However, a solution which did work was to put the line

echo 0 > /sys/module/hid_apple/parameters/iso_layout

into /etc/rc.local.

This suggestion comes from here:

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1245081

via

https://stdio.sangwhan.com/backtick-tilde-problem-macbook-air/

Solution 3

On Ubuntu 16.04 with a Mac keyboard you should be able to get a tilde symbol by pressing Right Alt + ] key.

Solution 4

Another solution which works as an unpriviledged user is:

setxkbmap -option apple:badmap

As a priviledged user this can also be used to fix the issue in the X config of the keyboard device with something like:

# /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/90-custom-kbd.conf
Section "InputClass"
    Identifier "keyboard defaults"
    MatchIsKeyboard "on"

    Option "XKbOptions" "apple:badmap"
EndSection

View more solutions

Comments

[Admin]

This is a problem I'm searching a simple solution for too. Just to add, the issue is that with Ubuntu 14.04 xmodmap is no longer functional. Its changes gets overwritten periodically (after a few minutes in my case) by xkb. I'm not an expert on this and still searching for a solution as well. This is just to inform you of the reason for this problem.

[Admin]

@BoazRymland I solved the problem myself, just forgot to report. You may find the solution below, hope it helps you as well.

[Admin]

thanks! I'll try it later. I don't like the idea of editing system file (or files that are suspected as such, with lack of knowing better) but I'm curious and want to resolve this. Thanks again!

[Admin]

I don't even have tilde button on my Macbook Finnish keyboard.

[Lambart]

Also works on MacBook Pro

[jeremy]

Works on Macbook Pro 12,1 w/ debian

[Kajal Sinha]

works after a reboot. Works on ubuntu 16.04LTS as well as on elementaryOS

[Csteele5]

This long-established solution inexplicably stopped working for me. I'm no longer able to edit this file, and so placing the code into the rc.local has no effect. Has anyone else run into this issue?

[bschlueter]

This is a more correct answer than @yasmar's as it corrects the system cofiguration rather than overriding it after it's applied.

[hsandt]

Wow, I found it on a French Apple keyboard where you normally press Alt + N on OSX. I don't have any ], but it worked with Right Alt + N (but not Left Alt + N!)

[Sebastian Sastre]

None of the other solutions worked for me. This one did. I'm on a MBP late 2015 with US keyboard fixing Ubuntu 20.04 LTS running with Parallels Desktop 17.