Mac OS X Arabic Keyboard Layout

For unknown reasons, there are a number of very different keyboard layouts in use for the Arabic keyboard. We consider the “standard” version to be the one most prevalent on physical keyboards throughout the Middle East. While only a select number of keyboards will display properly with Aktub, all keyboards can be used with the program.The non-QWERTY Arabic layout in Windows XP and the standard layout on Linux work quite well and only differ on one or two keys. The default layout on Mac OS X, however, is organized in a completely different manner. You may use this layout, but we recommend that you use a layout we have developed to mimic the Windows XP/Linux layouts simply to increase your ability to use other computers to type in Arabic.Instructions for using the standard Arabic keyboard layout on Mac OS X 10.4.7  (Should work or be relatively similar for recent version of OS X):

1. Download file arabicstandard.keylayout by right-clicking here and choosing “Save As”.
2. Move file to <Main HD>/Library/Keyboard Layouts where <Main HD> is the name of your main hard drive (Default is Macintosh HD). Right click on the file and choose “Get Info…” and make sure the filename is “arabicstandard.keylayout” and NOT “arabicstandard.keylayout.txt”
3. Open System Preferences (Apple Menu –> System Preferences)
4. Click on “International” Tab
5. Click on “Input Menu” Tab
6. Scroll Down List of Input Types and check “Arabic Standard”
7. At Bottom of Window check “Show input in menu bar” to make it simple to switch between U.S. and Arabic Standard keyboard layouts

Layout constructed and instructions submitted by Joe L.