MacOS Unicode troubleshooting

[apirkle]

My MathPad just arrived today. Looks and feels great, congrats on the successful project!

I am on a Mac (M3 MacBook Pro, Tahoe 26.1) and so far I haven't been able to get the plaintext Unicode typing to work. LaTeX mode works fine so the keyboard is certainly functional.

I followed the manual and troubleshooting info.

1. MathPad Service is installed and running. Used current 1.0.0 DMG. Confirmed with 'ps ax | grep -i math'
2. Accessibility permission is granted, and on state persists when reopening Privacy & Security > Accessibility.
3. I updated the firmware to 1.2.0. Original was 1.1.0. Current debug output is below.
4. When the OS popped up the Keyboard Support Assistant on initial connection, I hit Quit. This has been the suggested action for other custom keyboards but I wonder if it is a factor here.

I tried plaintext mode in the Getting Started browser fields, TextEdit, and Obsidian with no output. I also tried Microsoft equation mode inside an Office equation field, same result.

Appreciate any help with ideas to get it working.

Code: Select all

## MATHPAD DEBUG INFORMATION ## 

Firmware version: 1.2.0
PCB revision: 1.7
Keyboard layout: US ANSI (default)
Build date: 2025-11-30 21:46:36
Git commit: 7a83205
Compiler: gcc.exe (Rev2, Built by MSYS2 project) 14.2.0
Build flags: -Os -g -flto
Current mode: Unicode
Current mode switch brightness: 25%
Sticky modifiers: Disabled

[SummaCogni]

Hi apirkle!

Sorry to hear the plaintext mode is not working. It sounds like you followed the instructions correctly and the Mathpad is certainly alive, so I have to wonder what could be the problem.

I am able to replicate this bug on my side, and I am working on a fix.

[SummaCogni]

I have released a new version of mathpad-service that fixes the problem:

https://github.com/Summa-Cogni/Mathpad/ ... -1.1.0.dmg

Please download it and follow the installation instructions.

[apirkle]

Excellent. I downloaded the new release and Unicode works perfectly now. Thank you!

I'll reiterate how impressed I remain with this project. After posting the issue here I started delving into the source code. Found the unicode decoding bug and started attempting a fix, had thoughts of polishing it up this morning and submitting a PR, and I check back here to find that you've got a fixed release already out the door. Bravo.

[SummaCogni]

Happy to hear it solved your problem! And thank you very much for posting about the issue here. Otherwise I would not have been aware of it.

Enjoy your Mathpad!

[scornwell]

Hello, I am having a similar problem. I cannot get my mathpad to type anything, but I have been through the installation process multiple times, updated accessibility settings, gone through all troubleshooting procedures, etc.

I am trying to use my mathpad on my Macbook Air running Sequoia 15.6.1. I have installed the MathPad service but I'm not sure if it is actually open and running - should I be seeing something open on my computer when it is running?

My Mathpad does not have a colored light in the "mode" key, though I have pressed it, held it, etc. I am very excited to use this useful tool but I need help getting started.

[SummaCogni]

Hi scornwell,

It sounds like you have installed Mathpad Service correctly, and that your problem is hardware-specific.

Can you check the following:
1) Is there a small green light on the back of your Mathpad? This light shows if your Mathpad is getting power.
2) Can you get the mode key light to appear by holding down the green modifier key while clicking the mode key? This increases its brightness.
3) If you hold down all three modifier keys for at least five seconds and then release them, does your Mathpad type debug information?

If steps 2 and 3 do not work, that indicates that there is a hardware problem. The last step you can try is updating the firmware: https://mathpad.summacogni.com/#/update_firmware

If all else fails, please get in touch with Crowd Supply in order to return it for a new unit.