Type Switch: A Convenient Language Switcher for macOS, Almost Ready

[Meltedmen]

As a longtime Apple enthusiast who works with English, Ukrainian, and Polish languages, I've always found the default language-switching tools in macOS inadequate for managing multiple languages installed on my Mac.

The process feels clunky, and I wanted something more intuitive and efficient. That's why I decided to create Type Switch — a simple yet powerful language-switching tool designed to make multilingual input easier.

What is Type Switch?

Type Switch allows users to quickly and easily switch between over 30 languages installed on their Mac using a customizable button. This button can be tailored to suit your preferences, including size, color, and opacity. It’s designed to provide a smoother and more intuitive experience for multilingual users.

Key Features:

• Easy switching between all languages installed on your Mac.
• Customizable button (size, color, opacity).
• Optional sound and voice feedback for each language.
• Clean, minimal design with a floating switch panel.
• Auto-launch at startup for easy access.
• Hotkey [⌃ Ctrl] for quick switching.

What’s Next?

The app is almost ready for release — it's in its final testing stage, and I plan to submit it to the App Store in about 2-3 weeks. Before doing that, I'd love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and any suggestions you might have. If you’re interested in trying Type Switch or have ideas for improvements, feel free to share!

I’m excited to hear from the community and can’t wait to share this tool with the world.

Video Demo:

 

[tosbsas]

does this change the keyboard setting too?

 

[Big Bad D]

I can see the interest, but not at all clear what settings and functionality the app changes?

 

[p33t3r]

I work in English, Swedish and Estonian, and this sounds like it could be a nifty tool. Do you have a beta one could try out?

 

[Meltedmen]

does this change the keyboard setting too?

This button switches between the languages installed on your computer. For example, if you have English and Spanish, the button will display both languages and allow you to switch between them using a hotkey. The language change will also be announced with speech feedback.

 

[Meltedmen]

I can see the interest, but not at all clear what settings and functionality the app changes?

This button switches between the languages installed on your computer. For example, if you have English and Spanish, the button will display both languages and allow you to switch between them using a hotkey. The language change will also be announced with speech feedback.

 

[Meltedmen]

I work in English, Swedish and Estonian, and this sounds like it could be a nifty tool. Do you have a beta one could try out?

The beta version will be available very soon, as I’m currently working on it. So, stay tuned! Thank you for your interest.

 

[iHorseHead]

I don't see the point. I can switch the language from the NSMenubar anyway? It's like On Windows I can press Windows key + space and change the language within a second.

I don't see any difference between this and ctrl+alt+space (same as on Windows Windows key + space).

 

[devilsway]

I too struggle with using more than 2 languages on a Mac, but mainly due to wanting to quickly switch to a specific language instead of the scrolling (ex. EN -> IT -> SP, instead of being able to go directly from EN -> SP, IT -> EN, etc.) behavior that the globe/language key on the Mac keyboard does.

I can see how speaking the language can help, given that the default button makes it hard to know what language you've switched to without glancing to the menu bar, but other than that this doesn't seem to add much functionality.

I would, though, be willing to pay for an app that lets me switch directly to any language, using my own programmable hotkey (from your YouTube video it seems like it's just changing the globe key to the Ctrl key...?).

I've tried this using scripts but it's often clunky and doesn't always work.

 

[MacBH928]

I struggle with this but a keyboard shortcut is easier for 2 languages, but for multiple languages maybe a button with a selection of all the languages but thats already in the menu bar.

My problem is that I can not see the CURRENT language input, so some sort of an indicator on the current cursor would be of help. Many times you would start typing and you get the other language as the input.

 

[Meltedmen]

I too struggle with using more than 2 languages on a Mac, but mainly due to wanting to quickly switch to a specific language instead of the scrolling (ex. EN -> IT -> SP, instead of being able to go directly from EN -> SP, IT -> EN, etc.) behavior that the globe/language key on the Mac keyboard does.

I can see how speaking the language can help, given that the default button makes it hard to know what language you've switched to without glancing to the menu bar, but other than that this doesn't seem to add much functionality.

I would, though, be willing to pay for an app that lets me switch directly to any language, using my own programmable hotkey (from your YouTube video it seems like it's just changing the globe key to the Ctrl key...?).

I've tried this using scripts but it's often clunky and doesn't always work.

Yes, for now, I’ve set the hotkey to Control, as it’s one of the least-used keys, at least for me. I may add the option to assign other keys for switching languages in the future.

 

[Meltedmen]

I struggle with this but a keyboard shortcut is easier for 2 languages, but for multiple languages maybe a button with a selection of all the languages but thats already in the menu bar.

My problem is that I can not see the CURRENT language input, so some sort of an indicator on the current cursor would be of help. Many times you would start typing and you get the other language as the input.

My app addresses this issue by displaying the current language directly on the button, with an optional voice notification for each switch. By pressing this button or using the left Control hotkey, you can quickly switch all the languages installed on your Mac. This way, you’ll always know which language is active, helping avoid the common issue of starting to type in the wrong language.