How to downgrade macOS when my keyboard is broken?

[kcysiu92]

Good evening

I need help, I've got 12 inch retina MacBook but keyboard is broken. Now I'musing external (Logitech K400) but I cannot get to the menu where I can install fresh os. I'm on Big Sur beta but it doesn't work as it should, can I somehow revert back to Catalina?

 

[DeltaMac]

That Logitech K400 is a wireless keyboard, correct?
Not a great choice for using boot commands.
This is one of those occasions when you could use that old USB keyboard that you keep in your storage closet, just for this very reason...

 

[kcysiu92]

Yes it is, it uses a USB dongle. I cannot remap buttons in System Preferences, so what can I do? Do I have to buy wired keyboard? I'm using everything with Green USBC Hub if that helps.

 

[DeltaMac]

I apologize for not being more plain with my response.
Your Logitech keyboard uses the typical Logitech "Unifying Receiver". Yes, it plugs into a USB port, but that dongle is a radio receiver. The keyboard is wireless.
You need a USB (wired) keyboard. Maybe you know someone with a keyboard that you could borrow. I have seen wired keyboards, new, for less than $15, in Staples, or Walmart - don't remember for sure, but that's about right for the cheapest keyboards. Just be sure that it is a wired model. It does NOT need to be Apple keyboard layout. Even cheap Windows wired keyboards usually work.

 

[kcysiu92]

I apologize for not being more plain with my response.
Your Logitech keyboard uses the typical Logitech "Unifying Receiver". Yes, it plugs into a USB port, but that dongle is a radio receiver. The keyboard is wireless.
You need a USB (wired) keyboard. Maybe you know someone with a keyboard that you could borrow. I have seen wired keyboards, new, for less than $15, in Staples, or Walmart - don't remember for sure, but that's about right for the cheapest keyboards. Just be sure that it is a wired model. It does NOT need to be Apple keyboard layout. Even cheap Windows wired keyboards usually work.

Ok but will it work through USB C hub?

 

[posguy99]

Yes it is, it uses a USB dongle. I cannot remap buttons in System Preferences, so what can I do? Do I have to buy wired keyboard? I'm using everything with Green USBC Hub if that helps.

No friends with keyboards? A keyboard is a keyboard is a keyboard. Now, you may need an USBA-USBC adapter, but you should have one of those anyway, if you don't, get one.

 

[kcysiu92]

Unfortunately no, so I will have to buy one. I've got USB C hub with 4 USB A ports only and another C for charging.

 

[now i see it]

There's a factory recall on that keyboard. Apple will replace it for free

 

[kcysiu92]

I know but I don't have receipt for it and I bought it second hand, so I don't know if they're going to repair it.

 

[DeltaMac]

Unfortunately no, so I will have to buy one. I've got USB C hub with 4 USB A ports only and another C for charging.

There are a few keyboards with USB-C connector, most would be fine with the USB-A connections on your hub. You should not need a USB-C to USB-A adapter (although still a good idea to have one available )

 

[DeltaMac]

Do you have any kind of shop that sells second hand computer parts, along with other kinds of used items, similar to Good Will stores in the US?

 

[OliveroNYC]

I know but I don't have receipt for it and I bought it second hand, so I don't know if they're going to repair it.

You might find they repair it no questions asked because it is part of a general recall. Apple won't ask for a receipt in any case.
I got mine replaced earlier this year easily. It is like night and day. So much better...

 

[kcysiu92]

You might find they repair it no questions asked because it is part of a general recall. Apple won't ask for a receipt in any case.
I got mine replaced earlier this year easily. It is like night and day. So much better...

They asked me about receipt.
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Do you have any kind of shop that sells second hand computer parts, along with other kinds of used items, similar to Good Will stores in the US?

I've got a wired keyboard but I think I've got Safe Boot because Shift stsys pressed all the time, so I cannot do anything. How can I bypass that?

 

[mj_]

The USB dongle should still work just fine with that K400 because it is recognized as USB keyboard by the Mac, and the computer doesn't know it's wireless. So should any other USB keyboard, be it Windows or Mac. However, you need to keep in mind that the Windows key and Alt key on a Windows keyboard are swapped by default when compared to a Mac keyboard. This means that the Windows key sends the keycode for Command, and the Alt key sends the keycode for Alt/Option even though their respective positions are swapped when compared to a Mac keyboard.

Thus, when asked to press and hold Command-R to boot into recovery instead of pressing Alt-R, which would be the corresponding positions on a Windows keyboard, you need to press and hold Windows-R, which would correspond to option-R on a Mac keyboard.

Confusing, I know. Just remember: On a Windows keyboard Windows equals Command and Alt = Alt/Option

 

[kcysiu92]

The USB dongle should still work just fine with that K400 because it is recognized as USB keyboard by the Mac, and the computer doesn't know it's wireless. So should any other USB keyboard, be it Windows or Mac. However, you need to keep in mind that the Windows key and Alt key on a Windows keyboard are swapped by default when compared to a Mac keyboard. This means that the Windows key sends the keycode for Command, and the Alt key sends the keycode for Alt/Option even though their respective positions are swapped when compared to a Mac keyboard.

Thus, when asked to press and hold Command-R to boot into recovery instead of pressing Alt-R, which would be the corresponding positions on a Windows keyboard, you need to press and hold Windows-R, which would correspond to option-R on a Mac keyboard.

Confusing, I know. Just remember: On a Windows keyboard Windows equals Command and Alt = Alt/Option

I tried that but it didn't work, probably because of Safe Boot.

 

[mj_]

Oh... sorry, I missed that part. Nothing you can do unfortunately other than take it in to Apple for a keyboard replacement. It's odd that they asked for a receipt as they know exactly when that computer was first sold and whether or not it is still eligible for the keyboard replacement program based on the device's serial number. That said that may be the reason why they asked - based on their records your 2015 may have been sold more than 4 years ago, which is how long it is covered by Apple's repair program, and thus you now need to provide proof that you did in fact purchase it less than four years ago.

In other words: you may just be out of luck and sitting on an expensive paperweight.