MacBook Pro 13" 2020 M1 AZERTY - Change to QWERTY?

[SSD-GUY]

Hi all

I've found a deal on a cheap 2020 M1 MacBook Pro, however it has an AZERTY layout. Can I change the keycaps to QWERTY, whilst also natively changing the Keyboard at a software level? Or when I reformat the MacBook, will it always have an AZERTY layout?

Thanks!

 

[usagora]

1st question: yes
System Settings > Keyboard. Click "Edit" next to Text Input > Input Sources. Add the keyboard layout you want.

2nd question: no
When you set up macOS, it will ask you for your region

 

[spatlese44]

I’m a dovorak layout user and have been doing this for years. Unfortunately for me, I have to move most of the keys, whereas you’ll only have to move a few. There’s always a chance you’ll damage a key in the process, but you can buy them online. Kind of expensive as I think they get them by scavenging. I’m always worried one day they’ll make a keyboard you can’t remap.

Software wise it’s a nonissue.

 

[SSD-GUY]

1st question: yes
System Settings > Keyboard. Click "Edit" next to Text Input > Input Sources. Add the keyboard layout you want.

2nd question: no
When you set up macOS, it will ask you for your region

Thanks. So at a physical level, I can change the keys.

However, even though it was 'born' with an AZERTY keyboard, if I change the keycaps and reformat the MacBook and choose UK as my region, it'll have a UK keyboard? As in, the MacBook can change between keyboard regions at a software level and then pushes that to the hardware?

Thanks!

 

[usagora]

However, even though it was 'born' with an AZERTY keyboard, if I change the keycaps and reformat the MacBook and choose UK as my region, it'll have a UK keyboard? As in, the MacBook can change between keyboard regions at a software level and then pushes that to the hardware?

Yes. The AZERTY keys are simply the physical keys. You can choose any mapping you want at macOS setup, regardless of what letters/symbols are shown on the physical keys. They even make keyboard covers for this purpose if you don't want to switch out the physical keys (best for people who need to switch between multiple languages):

EXAMPLE:

Russian Language Keyboard Cover for all Mac Keyboards

Instantly convert your Mac keyboard into a Russian language keyboard – without having to add a custom external keyboard, use stickers, or memorize keys!

kbcovers.com

I only use US and German mappings, but the German one is so similar to the US layout, it's easy to memorize the differences.