No command key shortcuts on ARD or VNC

Resolved

No command key shortcuts on ARD or VNC

avatar

Hello!

I have an iPad running iPadOS 18.7.1 with a physical keyboard.

Since version 2025.3.0.23, when I connect to a Mac via Apple Remote Desktop or VNC all the shortcuts with command key doesn't work.
In example: If i want to open a new window in finder (Cmd+N) it doesn't open. If i keep it pressed more than a second, then it open multiple windows. It also happens with any action related to the command key: Cmd+Shift+G to go to a folder, Cmd+K to connect to a server, Cmd+C to copy...
With Key Codes, I see the command key is sending the code when pressed, but it is repeating, and when I press the N key it repeats multiple times the shortcut and is when some new windows are opened. I attached a picture:
IMG_0131.jpeg
Also, some keys, as Cmd+W (used to close a window in Macos) closes RDM app!! And long pressing Cmd key in a remote machine session it shows a strange Edit Menu at the bottom of screen...

I didn't change anything on my side, so I suppose it must be a bug in RDM.

Tell me if you need more testing or info, please.

Thank you in advance!

Regards,
Ugo.

IMG_0131.jpeg

All Comments (17)

avatar

Hello,

Thank you for reporting this issue, we will investigate and get back to you as soon as possible.

Best Regards,
Frederick Simard

avatar

Hello, Frederick!

I downgraded the app to version 2025.2.4.1 and everything is working fine, so it must be a bug in the latest version.
Anyway, this version needs some improvements. In ARD and VNC, key repeat is so slow or doesn't repeat at all (i.e.: Terminal). Also, while in ARD, mouse cursor doesn't change on pointer actions as resize window, dragging files in Finder, etc.

If you can take a look at this too it will be perfect!!

Thank you very much for your great support.

Regards,
Ugo

avatar

Hello,

We are currently testing a solution for this issue and will get back to you once it is ready for release.

Regarding the key repeat, the new version should offer some improvement, though there may still be room for enhancement. We’ll go ahead and create a ticket to track that.

As for the mouse cursor not changing, we’ll also create a ticket to investigate whether there’s anything we can do to address it.


Best Regards,
Frederick Simard

avatar

Hello,

A new version has been released that should include the fix for the shortcut issue you were experiencing.

Could you please let us know if this resolves the problem?

Best Regards,
Frederick Simard

avatar

Hi, Frederick!

I've updated to version 2025.3.1, but the same problems persist.
Please, tell me if I can do any tests for you.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Ugo

avatar

Hi,

there's still work to do, but an improved version should be coming out next week (version 2025.3.2).

Please let us know if it resolves any of the issues.

Best Regards,

Nicolas Dufour

avatar

Hello,

Thank you for being so patient.

The new 2025.3.2 version is now available. Could you confirm that it helps to solve the issue?

Best regards,

Érica Poirier

avatar

Hi, Érica.

I'm afraid it's still failing.
Command key shortcuts doesn't work in VNC nor ARD. A single Command+N shortcut only shows the command key pressed. If I keep the CMD key pressed more than a second and then press the N key it seems to respond to the shortcut, but no new window in opened in Finder:
IMG_0147.png
Here you have a video.

And if I press CMD+W to close a window in any application, Remote Desktop Manager quits. Any other shortcuts, as CMD+C to copy or CMD+V to paste, doesn't work either.

All of them work perfect in RDM 2025.2.4.1.

Also, if I keep the CMD key pressed and don't press any other key, a popup window appears at the bottom of the screen:
IMG_0143.jpegThis happens also in the old version, but it shows Copy, Paste texts in this popup.

Tell me if I can do something more to help you.

Regards,
Ugo

IMG_0143.jpeg

IMG_0147.png

avatar

Hello,

We tried to reproduce the issues on our end, and it appears that the new version (2025.3.2.3) is working correctly for all of them. Could you provide us with more details about the keyboard you are using, such as the layout, language, and model (e.g., Magic Keyboard)?

Also, have you changed any input-related settings in RDM?

Best Regards,
Frederick Simard

avatar

Hi!

Of course.

The keyboard is a Dexnor DK010 in a Spanish ISO layout and the language is Spanish too. I'm on iPadOS 18.7.1.

The settings are the same in both versions, in fact I upgraded to 2025.3.2.3 directly over the old version. But, as I said, in RDM 2025.2.4.1 all the shortcuts works except CMD+Q to close an app.
In RDM 2025.2.4.1 the mouse icon doesn't change too on actions as copy files while dragging, resize windows, etc.

I also tried to delete the app, install again and make a new connection from scratch.

Let me know if you need more info.

Thank you very much in advance.

Regards,
Ugo

avatar

Hi,

A regression was introduced in one of our recent versions that caused shortcuts using the Command key to stop working. We were able to reproduce the issue easily.

However, this has been fixed in version 2025.3.2.3. We tested the fix with multiple keyboards on our end, and we are no longer able to reproduce the issue you're experiencing.

Do you have another keyboard available? If so, could you try testing with that to see if the issue persists? Also, if possible, please try connecting to a different server to determine whether the issue is specific to the current server.

Best Regards,

Nicolas Dufour

avatar

Hi, Nicolas.

I get it!
It seems that the problem was when using the old version version Data Source. I have reinstalled the app, CREATED a new data source and added again my machines one by one and now it is working fine. I don't think it matters, but I was loading the old data source from iCloud.

Anyway, CMD + Q doesn't close the applications of the remote servers, but it's not very important to me. Also, the mouse icon doesn't change on actions, do I have to open a new post or do we keep this one alive?

Thanks for your great support.

Regards,
Ugo

avatar

Hello,

Glad it worked! Regarding the mouse icon that doesn’t change, we already have a ticket open to analyze this. We’re not yet sure if it’s possible with the ARD protocol, and we’ll need to take a closer look to determine its feasibility.

As for CMD + Q, we attempted to intercept it before the system, but just like the shortcut for Spotlight search, there doesn’t seem to be any way for us to intercept those shortcuts, as the system takes priority.

Best Regards,
Frederick Simard

avatar

Hello!

It would be perfect if we can have the icon change.
The command key behavior to quit apps is not a priority for me. But I have found another issue with the physical keyboard more important: key repeat in SSH terminal doesn't work at all and, in ARD or VNC connections, the repeat is very very slow. Can you take a look at it?

Thank you very much.

Best regards,
Ugo

avatar

Hello,

We already have a ticket to support key repeat in the SSH Terminal, and we should be starting it soon. As for the slow key repeat in ARD and VNC, we also have a ticket to add a slider to adjust the key repeat speed. We will notify you of any progress we make regarding this.

Best Regards,
Frederick Simard

avatar

Hello,

We investigated the slow key repeat issue in ARD and VNC. The key repeat speed in our implementation is already set to be very fast. This issue may be caused by a setting on the device that is slowing down the key repeat rate. There are also settings on the remote Mac that affect the key repeat interval. On iPad, the key repeat interval can be adjusted in the Accessibility settings, and on Mac, in the Keyboard settings. From our side, the current implementation is the fastest we can support and is nearly as fast as the key repeat on our work computers.

Regarding the SSH Key repeat, we have made progress, but it is not ready for testing yet.

Regarding the mouse cursor icon changes, we have a solution that will be entering the testing phase after the Christmas break.

Best Regards,
Frederick Simard

avatar

Hi, Frederick!

The key repeat is fast enought on my side just adjusting the accessibility settings at maximum, as you said.

I'll be waiting for this update with the mouse icons working.

You are the best, thank you very much!

Regards,
Ugo