A lightweight macOS menu bar app for faster and more predictable input source switching.

LangSwitcher helps reduce typing interruptions in shortcut-driven workflows such as Spotlight, ChatGPT, Terminal, browsers, and messengers.

If you often launch apps or search tools with keyboard shortcuts, you have probably experienced input source mismatches right before typing.

LangSwitcher helps solve that by combining direct language switching, app-specific keyboard rules, app launch shortcuts, and an input source toggle key in one native interface.

• Input Source Toggle Key (New in v0.4.0): Assign a single modifier key, such as Right Command or Right Option, as an input source toggle key.
• Custom Shortcuts: Bind your own shortcut combinations to switch directly to a specific input source.
• App-Specific Keyboards: Automatically switch to a predefined input source when a specific app becomes active.
• App Launch Shortcuts (New in v0.4.0): Launch an app or bring it to the front instantly with a global shortcut.
• Native HUD Feedback (New in v0.4.0): See language changes and rule test results with a native macOS-style HUD.
• Rules Test Mode: Verify rules safely without triggering actual app launches or input source changes.
• Backup & Restore: Export your settings to JSON and restore them anytime.
• Execution Logs: Review recent execution history and export logs for troubleshooting.
• Smart Conflict Detection: Detect duplicate or conflicting shortcuts before saving them.
• Modern Native UI: A clean settings window designed with macOS-style sidebar navigation.

Add the latest General tab screenshot here.

This section can highlight the updated terminology, input source toggle key setup, backup and restore actions, and default shortcut layout.

• OS: macOS 13.5 or later
• Architecture: Apple Silicon Macs only

⚠️ Note: Because this is a free open-source project and not signed with a paid Apple Developer account, macOS may show an "unidentified developer" warning on first launch.

1. Go to the Releases page.
2. Download the latest release and extract the zip file.
3. Move LangSwitcher.app to your Applications folder.
4. Right-click LangSwitcher.app and choose Open.
5. If macOS says the app is damaged, run the following command in Terminal:

sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/LangSwitcher.app

LangSwitcher requires Accessibility permission to detect global keyboard shortcuts.

1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility.
2. Click the + button and add LangSwitcher.app.
3. Turn the toggle ON.

🔄 When updating: If shortcuts stop working after replacing the old app, remove LangSwitcher from Accessibility settings and add it again.

1. Open LangSwitcher from the menu bar and choose Preferences.
2. In General, configure startup behavior, HUD visibility, rules test mode, and your input source toggle key.
3. In Custom Shortcuts, assign shortcuts for direct language switching.
4. In App-Specific Keyboards, set default input sources for individual apps.
5. In App Launch Shortcuts, bind shortcuts to frequently used apps.

Manage startup options, update checks, HUD display, rules test mode, input source toggle key, backup and restore, and default shortcuts.

Create global shortcuts for switching directly to a selected input source.

Assign a default input source to specific apps so language switching feels automatic and predictable.

Register shortcuts that launch an app or bring an existing app window to the front.

Use this section for version info, support links, and exported execution logs.

• Make sure Accessibility permission is enabled.
• Review shortcut conflicts before assigning new combinations.
• Use Rules Test Mode before enabling a new workflow.
• Export execution logs when reporting an issue.

If you find this app helpful, consider buying me a coffee. Your support helps maintain the project.

Contributions, bug reports, feature requests, and translation help are welcome.

This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0). See the LICENSE file for details.

sudo xattr -r -d com.apple.quarantine /Applications/LangSwitcher.app