Remmina doesn't provide access to macOS "Option" key via VNC
Local System Description
- Client (OS name and version): Linux Mint 19 Tara
- Remmina version (
remmina --version
): 1.2.0-rcgit-29 (git rcgit-29) - Installation mean:
-
Distribution package.
-
- Desktop environment (GNOME, Unity, KDE, ..): xfce
- Plugin:
-
VNC
-
Remote System Description
- Server (OS name and version): macOS High Sierra
- Special notes regarding the remote system (i.e. gateways, tunnel, etc): none
Problem Summary
When connecting to macOS clients via VNC, Remmina should map the local Super ("Windows") key to the remote macOS Option key, and the local Alt key to the remote macOS Command key, in keeping with the layout of Mac keyboards. Also, there's currently no acess to the macOS Option key.
Use Case
I'm attempting to remotely access a macOS High Sierra system from Linux Mint (based on Ubuntu) running on a typical Dell laptop, using the Remmina VNC mode, and with the macOS built-in Screen Sharing feature turned on.
Remmina seems a nearly perfect solution, but for the mapping of modifier keys, which has a major shortcoming.
When I connect to macOS using Remmina (using US keyboard settings on both systems), then open the standard macOS Keyboard Viewer, I see this:
a) My local Ctrl key maps to the macOS Ctrl modifier key.
b) My local Alt key maps maps to the macOS Command modifier key.
c) My local Super key (nee "Windows key") also maps to the macOS Command modifier key.
d) I can't find any modifier which maps to the macOS Option modifier key.
Re (a), that's great.
Re (b), that's great, because that's physically where the macOS Command key lives on Mac keyboards, even though it isn't technically an accurate low-level mapping.
Re (c), that isn't a very good experience, both because that's not how macOS keyboards are laid out, and because it is worthless--it is simply doing exactly the same thing as the Alt key.
Re (d), that's bad, because it leaves no way to operate the macOS Option modifier key, which is often critical.
Suggested Remedy
IMHO, as RealVNC and some other clients handle it, Remmina should do at least do this:
Map local Super key to remote macOS Option key (leaving existing local Alt key to remote macOS Command key map alone.)
Some might also argue for some sort of "Swap macOS Command and Alt keys" option, too, but I can't imagine a strong case for that.
Remmina seems a fine piece of software--I wish I could successfully use it to control macOS High Sierra! ;)