I created an account just for this post 🥹, it is first time I believe I have a valuable contribution to make. I couldn't find a way to remap the dictation (F5) key, but my allegedly gamer external keyboard (
Logitech Pop Keys ˜USD88) has this exact function, a key (F6) for disabling/enabling the mic.
The key only works when the Mic is in use, like when using Google meet, otherwise it does nothing. When activated, it doesn't trigger the actual mute button on Google Meet, therefore others don't know you are on mute, but it obviously let you without a mic on the entire system. Google Meet alerts you don't have a mic anymore and recognizes when it is back on automatically. On your end, it shows a huge red mic icon when yours is off, so you know when you have no mic better than Google Meet interface showing you are on mute, because of the red top right persistent notification. The notification is there even if you are not on the Google meet page, this is really useful and reassuring. Sometimes I'm reading something else or texting on the MBA M1 while in a video-call, sometimes I go wash my hands real quick and keep the meeting running and bathroom door open, it is great to easily know when I'm on mute or without a mic enabled when I'm not looking at the meeting web page.
The
Logitech Pop Keys is very similar to the MBA M1 keyboard, pretty much the same layout and size, and a dedicated delete/insert key, as well as 5 configurable keys that can be used for anything, like page up and page down or a shortcut, like ctrl+c or even commands like "lock the OS". I'm not ready to leave the fingerprint button and trackpad under a closed lid, but I'm considering using the MBA M1 open as a reachable second screen.
I wouldn't buy a mechanical wireless keyboard only for that, I may not even use this keyboard on my mac, because I like things clean and I love the MBA M1 keyboard, but if anyone really needs this mute key, here I present you an expensive and complicated solution.
