Install and Troubleshooting

Install Ctrl2Cmd

1. Download Ctrl2Cmd

Download the latest version from the latest release page.

2. Install by dragging Ctrl2Cmd into Applications

Open the downloaded disk image and drag Ctrl2Cmd into your Applications folder.

Note: Drag to Applications, then open the Applications folder and launch Ctrl2Cmd from there - this ensures everything works as expected.

On first launch, macOS may show a standard security prompt — this is normal. Ctrl2Cmd is notarized by Apple, meaning it has passed Apple's security checks. You can read more about this process here.

3. Enable Accessibility access

Ctrl2Cmd requires Accessibility permission to remap keyboard shortcuts - this is standard for apps that customise shortcuts on macOS.

• Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility
• Enable Ctrl2Cmd in the list
• Relaunch Ctrl2Cmd if macOS asks you to

(Click on the + if Ctrl2Cmd doesn't appear)

Tip: If you are reinstalling Ctrl2Cmd, you may need to remove it from this list and add it again.

4. Optional: Run on startup

If you want Ctrl2Cmd available every time you log in, add it to your login items.

Tip: You can also access these settings in Ctrl2Cmd - open Settings, scroll to the bottom, and click 'Login Settings'.

• Open System Settings > General > Login Items
• Add Ctrl2Cmd

Click + to find Ctrl2Cmd

Select Ctrl2Cmd

5. Activate your license

When Ctrl2Cmd opens, activate your license before using the app.

• Enter the email address you bought Ctrl2Cmd with
• Enter your license key
• Your license key will have been emailed to you after purchase
• Click Activate License

Important: Use the same email address that you used when buying Ctrl2Cmd. If you cannot find your key, check the email receipt you received after purchase.

Troubleshooting

Update blocked by macOS

If Ctrl2Cmd shows a message like was prevented from modifying apps on your Mac, macOS blocked the in-place update step.

• Make sure you are running Ctrl2Cmd from /Applications, not from Downloads or the mounted DMG
• Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > App Management
• Allow Ctrl2Cmd if macOS shows it there
• Quit Ctrl2Cmd and launch it again from /Applications
• Try Check for Updates... again

If updating still fails

Use the manual download instead. Download the latest version, replace the copy in Applications, and launch it again.

• Open latest download page
• Open release notes

Why this happens

Ctrl2Cmd uses Sparkle for updates. Sparkle replaces the installed app on disk, and newer versions of macOS may require permission before an app can modify another app bundle in Applications.