Bug 513789 - Interactive OSD For Keyboard Layout Switching (like the tab switcher)
Summary: Interactive OSD For Keyboard Layout Switching (like the tab switcher)
Status: CONFIRMED
Alias: None
Product: systemsettings
Classification: Applications
Component: kcm_keyboard (other bugs)
Version First Reported In: 6.5.4
Platform: Arch Linux Linux
: NOR wishlist
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: Plasma Bugs List
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2025-12-24 21:49 UTC by Dmytro
Modified: 2026-01-08 18:51 UTC (History)
5 users (show)

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:


Attachments
Layout switcher OSD in GNOME (302.44 KB, image/png)
2025-12-24 21:49 UTC, Dmytro
Details

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Description Dmytro 2025-12-24 21:49:36 UTC
Created attachment 187954 [details]
Layout switcher OSD in GNOME

SUMMARY

As a user who actively uses four languages (English, Russian, Ukrainian and German) I find it difficult to switch between them conveniently. While Spare Layout feature was semi-helpful on X11, it does not work as it should on Wayland and let's be honest, it is not perfect as even though you can cycle N-layouts, other layouts should still be enabled by shortcuts or clicking on the widget.

In both macOS and GNOME, the keyboard layout switcher follows a very convenient interaction model similar to how it is implemented on Android:

- Pressing "Win (Meta) + Space once" immediately switches to the previously used layout (i.e., toggles between the last two layouts).
- At the same time, an OSD with all available layouts is displayed (see screenshot).
- If the user wants to select a layout other than the last-used one, they can press Win + Space again (or keep pressing) to cycle through the remaining layouts while the OSD stays visible.

Most of the Spare Layouts behavior doesn't change, while layout switching becomes faster:

- Fast toggling between two commonly used languages with a single keypress.
- Easy access to additional layouts without needing a separate shortcut or visual search.
- With a feature "Switching layout affects", which makes it possible to select per window/per desktop layout, the suggested layout switching model would allow the users to have separate "most used layouts", say, for LibreOffice: English and German; for browsing: English and Russian, with occasional switch to German, for Telegram Messenger: all four languages, sorted by last used.

In KDE Plasma, layout switching currently feels less modern in comparison, especially for users who frequently switch between two primary layouts but occasionally need a third/fourth one.