Why PgUp/PgDown Keys Don't Work in Telegram for macOS

In Telegram for macOS, when using a PC keyboard, the PgUp/PgDown keys don’t work due to peculiarities in the application’s input handling implementation and the need to pre-select a message. The problem occurs because Telegram Desktop doesn’t always correctly recognize standard navigation keys without focus on a message, but there are several working solutions, including using the Fn + ↑/↓ combination or configuring third-party utilities for key remapping.

Table of Contents

• Main Causes of the Issue
• Working Solutions Without Code Modification
• Why This Problem Exists in a Popular App
• Additional Telegram Navigation Tips
• Conclusion

Main Causes of the Issue

Input Handling Features in Telegram Desktop

Research shows that the main cause of the issue is that Telegram Desktop requires users to first click on any message in the chat for navigation keys to start working. According to a bug report on bugs.telegram.org, users discovered that “you need to click on any message for PgUp and PgDwn to start working”.

Insufficient Mac Keyboard Emulation

When connecting a PC keyboard to a MacBook, macOS automatically switches some key functions that work differently on different platforms. In particular, on Mac keyboards, Page Up and Page Down keys are implemented through the Fn + ↑ and Fn + ↓ combinations, but applications don’t always correctly handle these standard key combinations.

System Shortcut Handling Issues

Research indicates that Telegram Desktop has a history of problems with system keyboard shortcuts on macOS. In the project’s GitHub repository, users report non-working system text shortcuts on OSX, indicating general integration issues with macOS.

Working Solutions Without Code Modification

Using Standard Mac Combinations

Fn + Arrow Keys Combination

The simplest solution is to use the standard Mac key combination:

• Fn + ↑ for Page Up
• Fn + ↓ for Page Down

This method is described in SuperUser answers, where users confirm that these exact combinations work on MacBook.

Pre-selecting a Message

Click Before Using Keys

As noted in the bug report, it’s sufficient to click on any message in the chat once, after which the PgUp/PgDown keys will start working correctly.

Using Third-party Utilities

KeyRemap4MacBook

Install KeyRemap4MacBook and configure key remapping:

1. Open the KeyRemap4MacBook application
2. Add a rule to remap PC PgUp/PgDown to Mac Fn + ↑/↓
3. Restart Telegram

Karabiner-Elements

A more modern alternative:

1. Download and install Karabiner-Elements
2. Configure a complex modifier for key remapping
3. Save the configuration

Hammerspoon

For advanced users:

hs.hotkey.bind({"ctrl"}, "pagedown", function()
    hs.eventtap.keyStroke({"cmd"}, "down")
end)

hs.hotkey.bind({"ctrl"}, "pageup", function()
    hs.eventtap.keyStroke({"cmd"}, "up")
end)

Alternative Navigation Methods

Using Mouse Wheel and Trackpad

As you’ve already noticed, the mouse wheel and trackpad gestures work correctly:

• Double-tapping the trackpad with two fingers for fast scrolling
• Using the mouse wheel while holding Command for acceleration

macOS System Shortcuts

Combinations that work in most applications:

• Cmd + ↑ - go to the beginning of the document
• Cmd + ↓ - go to the end of the document
• Option + ↑/↓ - scroll one screen at a time

Why This Problem Exists in a Popular App

Cross-platform Development

Telegram Desktop is developed as a single application for Windows, macOS, and Linux, which creates challenges in adapting to the specifics of each platform. In GitHub issues, users note that many problems are specific to macOS.

Feature Prioritization

With a billion users, developers focus on core functions, sometimes postponing fixes for “secondary” usability issues. As shown in discussions on Reddit, many users simply adapt to the problems rather than waiting for fixes.

Complexity of Cross-platform Input Handling

Keyboard input handling is one of the most challenging tasks in application development. In an error report, issues with text editing shortcuts are mentioned, indicating general difficulties in this area.

Testing on Limited Hardware

Developers may not test the application on all possible keyboard and hardware combinations, especially on hybrid configurations like PC keyboards connected to a MacBook.

Additional Telegram Navigation Tips

Complete List of Available Keyboard Shortcuts

According to Telegram resources, the following useful shortcuts are available in the application:

Optimizing Keyboard Work

Telegram Settings

1. Open Telegram settings
2. Go to “Advanced” > “Keyboard”
3. Make sure the “Use system shortcuts” option is enabled

General Productivity Tips

• Create template messages for quick replies
• Use search and filtering functions
• Configure notifications for important chats

Conclusion

The issue with non-working PgUp/PgDown keys in Telegram for macOS when using a PC keyboard is solvable in several ways without modifying the application’s source code. The main solutions include using standard Mac combinations (Fn + arrows), pre-selecting a message, or configuring third-party utilities for key remapping.

The existence of such problems in a popular application like Telegram is explained by the challenges of cross-platform development, prioritization of core functions, and the specifics of input handling in macOS. For convenient operation, it’s recommended to master alternative navigation methods and additional keyboard shortcuts available in the application.

For more detailed information about all available keyboard shortcuts in Telegram, it’s recommended to study the developer’s official resources and specialized keyboard shortcut websites.

Sources

1. Bug report on bugs.telegram.org - PgUp/PgDown not working without clicking on a message
2. GitHub Issue - PageUp/PageDown scrolling is not working in comments
3. GitHub Issue - System-wide text-related shortcuts don’t work on OSX
4. GitHub Issue - Left and Right Arrow on MacOS not working
5. SuperUser - PgUP and PgDN on a Macbook
6. Reddit - MacOS Telegram keyboard control
7. Keyboard shortcuts for Telegram Desktop - UseTheKeyboard
8. Telegram Desktop HotKey Cheatsheet - HotKeyGuru
9. OS X Daily - How to Page Up & Page Down on Mac Keyboards
10. Reddit - Q: What is the exact keyboard shortcut to forward chat messages?