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To give KDE Plasma a macOS-style Control Centre, install Control Centre for KDE, a third-party Plasma widget inspired by Apple’s Control Centre. Add it through Plasma’s widget catalog, then place it on the desktop or a panel. It changes one part of the interface; it does not turn the whole desktop into macOS.
What the KDE Control Centre widget does
Control Centre for KDE adds a compact control surface to Plasma with a look inspired by macOS Control Centre. KDE defines Plasma widgets as small apps that can be embedded in the desktop or a panel, so this is an add-on to the existing desktop rather than a complete theme or operating-system conversion. See KDE’s Plasma widget documentation for how widgets fit into the desktop.
The original project describes support for KDE Plasma 5.22 and newer. That is the project’s stated baseline, not a guarantee that every later Plasma release or distribution will work unchanged. Check the project’s current compatibility notes and recent activity before installing: Control Centre for KDE on GitHub.
Check compatibility and dependencies first
The original project README names plasma-nm, kdeplasma-addons, plasma-pa, and KDE Connect among its dependencies. Package names and availability vary between Linux distributions, so use your distribution’s package manager or documentation to confirm the appropriate packages rather than assuming the names are identical everywhere.
#1 Best Overall
- WIRELESS, RECHARGEABLE CONVENIENCE — Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad connects wirelessly to your Mac, iPad, or iPhone via Bluetooth. And the rechargeable internal battery means no loose batteries to replace.
- WORKS WITH MAC, IPAD, OR IPHONE — It pairs quickly with your device so you can get to work right away.
- ENHANCED TYPING EXPERIENCE — Magic Keyboard delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience. Its extended layout features document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys. The numeric keypad is ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- GO WEEKS WITHOUT CHARGING — The incredibly long-lasting internal battery will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges. (Battery life varies by use.) Comes with a Lightning to USB Cable that lets you pair and charge by connecting to a USB port on your Mac.
- SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS — Requires a Bluetooth-enabled Mac with macOS 10.12.4 or later, an iPad with iPadOS 13.4 or later, or an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 10.3 or later.
The README also notes that Plasma/Qt 6 users may need a Qt 5 compatibility package for QtGraphicalEffects. It gives Arch Linux’s qt6-5compat as an example. Treat this as a project-specific compatibility note: verify the current requirement and package name for your Plasma version and distribution.
Install it from Plasma’s widget catalog
The project recommends using Plasma’s built-in widget catalog rather than installing from a source checkout. Labels can vary somewhat by Plasma version.
Rank #2
- Magic Keyboard delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It’s also wireless and rechargeable, with an incredibly long-lasting internal battery that’ll power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
- It pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work straightaway.
- It features a USB-C port and includes a woven USB-C Charge Cable that lets you pair and charge by connecting to a USB-C port on your Mac.
- Right-click an empty area of the desktop and choose Add Widgets.
- Open Get New Widgets or Download New Plasma Widgets, depending on the interface label in your Plasma version.
- Search for Control Centre and install the matching widget.
- Return to the widget list and add Control Centre to the desktop or the panel where you want to use it.
If it does not appear or does not work as expected, first confirm that your Plasma version and required packages match the project’s current instructions. Distribution packaging, Qt compatibility, and project updates can all affect the result.
Should you use the original widget or KDE Control Station?
KDE Control Station is a related project that says it is based on Prayag2’s original widget. Its README lists Plasma 6.0 or newer and describes configurable layouts and additional controls. It recommends installation through the KDE widget catalog as well. Those project statements do not establish that it is a guaranteed drop-in replacement or that it will be more reliable on a particular system.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRank #3
- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
| Option | Project-stated Plasma baseline | What the project describes |
|---|---|---|
| Control Centre for KDE | Plasma 5.22 and newer | A simple macOS-inspired control-centre widget |
| KDE Control Station | Plasma 6.0 or newer | Configurable layouts and additional controls |
Choose based on your installed Plasma version, the controls and layout options you want, and the current compatibility information for your distribution. Review each project’s recent activity and issue reports before deciding: Control Centre for KDE and KDE Control Station.
Why the source-install route is a weaker choice
The original project README also describes cloning the repository and installing its package with plasmapkg2 -i package. It labels this route “Not Stable!” and says the files are placed in ~/.local/share/plasma/plasmoids/. The same README describes removal through the widget interface or by deleting the widget directory. These are the project’s documented instructions, not a guarantee they apply unchanged to every current Plasma setup; use the catalog method unless you specifically need the source route and have checked the current README.
Rank #4
- Ultra Thin Wired Keyboard: Constructed with aluminum backing, the slim keyboard's height is less than that of a penny.
- Broad Compatibility: Able to work with Apple and compatible with Windows PC operating systems
- Full Sized Extended Keyboard: Easy access to media with 20 Apple shortcut keys (cut/copy/paste, iTunes control, Volume up/down, etc.) and multimedia shortcuts for Windows PC. Also, contains a ten-key numeric keypad for easy data entry.
- Plug and Play (No Drivers Required): No need to continually change or recharge batteries of wireless keyboards
- Long Cord: 4'7" (140 cm) USB cable to connect your external keyboard to the computer
Maintenance and license
The original repository identifies the widget as GPLv3 software. It also displays a notice that the author would not maintain the project “for a few months” because of exams. That notice alone does not establish whether maintenance later resumed, so check the repository’s recent commits and issues rather than treating the stated Plasma baseline as a current support promise.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Magic Keyboard is available with Touch ID, providing fast, easy and secure authentication for logins and to unlock your Mac.
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience.
- It features an extended layout, with document navigation controls for quick scrolling and full-size arrow keys, which are great for gaming.
- The numeric keypad is also ideal for spreadsheets and finance applications.
- It’s wireless and features a rechargeable battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.
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