Add or remove input sources

  1. Open System Settings → Keyboard.
  2. Next to Text Input, choose Edit.
  3. Use the plus button to choose a language and input source.
  4. Select an unused source and use the minus button to remove it.

Keep at least one usable source. A third-party input method must be installed and registered with macOS before it appears here. Input Method Manager does not install or remove input methods.

Configure input source shortcuts

Open System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Input Sources. macOS offers commands for selecting the previous source and the next source in the Input menu. The Globe/Fn key can also be assigned to change input sources, and some Chinese sources can use Caps Lock to switch to ABC.

Input Method Manager showing the input sources enabled in macOS
Input Method Manager reads sources already enabled in macOS.

When a shortcut does not work

  1. Confirm the shortcut is enabled under Input Sources.
  2. Check Spotlight, Mission Control, editors, and remote desktop apps for the same combination.
  3. Test Control-Space, Globe/Fn, and Caps Lock separately.
  4. Watch the menu bar: a changed source name indicates a macOS source switch; an unchanged name usually means an internal mode change.

Verify before adding automation

Confirm every remaining source can be selected from the Input menu and that your shortcut works three times in a row. Then test after changing apps and documents. Only after the system behavior is stable should you add a lock or per-app rules.