Logi Options+ alternative for the MX Keypad

Logitech says the MX Keypad cannot be used without Logi Options+. Uninstalling Options+ leaves the MX Creative Console dialpad with only a very limited set of basic actions. Older Logitech utilities such as Logitech Options and SetPoint are no longer supported, so they are not an alternative. Two routes work: run Options+ without a Logi ID, using the default profile and the pre-installed System plugin, or use Orbtile, which drives the keypad over USB for coding agents without Options+.

Orbtile is not a replacement for Logi Options+ on Logitech mice or keyboards; it takes over only the MX Keypad (the keypad that is also part of the MX Creative Console), so keep Options+ for your other devices.

What happens without Logi Options+

Logitech requires Logi Options+ 1.83 or later for the MX Creative Console and 2.07 or later for the standalone MX Keypad. Both devices work with macOS 13 and later and Windows 10 and later. Windows systems with ARM64 processors are not supported.

Options+ relies on the Logi Plugin Service, which manages the system behind the MX Creative Console and MX Keypad, including plugins and the Marketplace. The service activates only when one of these devices is connected to your computer.

Without Logi Options+, the MX Keypad cannot be used, and the MX Creative Console dialpad keeps only a very limited set of basic actions.

Why older Logitech utilities are not an alternative

Logitech's support page lists older configuration apps that are no longer supported or maintained:

• Logitech Options has reached end of support, and Logitech recommends Logi Options+ instead.
• Logitech's presentation software is no longer supported, and Logitech recommends Logi Options+ for presentation remotes.
• SetPoint, Unifying Software, Logitech Control Center and Logitech Preference Manager are no longer supported or maintained.
• Logitech Connection Utility and the Firmware Update Tool are also no longer supported or maintained.
• G HUB has succeeded Logitech Gaming Software for all new devices since 2019.
• All hardware compatible with Logitech Gaming Software is out of warranty.

Use Logi Options+ without a Logi ID account

If you want Logitech's software but not a cloud account, Options+ still works locally:

• You can use the MX Creative Console and MX Keypad with the default profile and all actions from the pre-installed System plugin.
• Options+ asks you to log in during the device feature tour.
• It also asks when you click INSTALL on a Marketplace profile or plugin, or when you add a new application profile.
• A Logi ID login is required to download other plugins or install other application profiles.
• To create an account or sign in, click the Account icon in the top right corner of the main app.

Configure a manual profile for an app without a plugin

When an app has no Marketplace plugin, Logitech shows how to build a profile from the System plugin, using the Adobe UXP Developer Tool as its example:

• Click the + icon in the profile bar and choose APPLICATION PROFILE.
• Select your app from the list.
• If the app is missing, click ADD APPLICATION and point it to the app's executable file.
• Click START WITH A BLANK TEMPLATE, name the profile and click CONFIRM.
• Fill the template with System actions such as Keyboard Shortcut and Dial Adjustment.

Map keyboard shortcuts and dial turns with the System plugin

Inside any profile, the pre-installed SYSTEM plugin maps standard keyboard shortcuts to keys and dial turns:

• Click ALL ACTIONS in the right panel and select the SYSTEM plugin.
• Drag the KEYBOARD SHORTCUT action onto a key.
• Click the KEY text field and press your key combination.
• Optionally rename the action, then click Save.
• For dial turns, drag DIAL ADJUSTMENT from the SYSTEM plugin onto the control.
• Optionally choose an initial shortcut, then set a shortcut for each turning direction.

Developer features, the Logi Actions SDK and plugins

Logitech describes the standalone MX Keypad as "AI control keys for developers". With Logi Options+, it offers:

• Native integrations for VS Code and IntelliJ to navigate code, launch agents, manage debuggers and toggle terminals.
• One-tap prompt macros, code refactoring and voice commands across tools like GitHub Copilot, Claude Code and OpenAI Codex.
• These AI controls need an active internet connection and an account with each third-party AI provider.
• App-aware switching that detects your active app and swaps tools as you move between VS Code, Slack, Figma and more.
• The Logi Actions SDK for building custom tools, by hand or with AI.

Marketplace plugins, security reviews and profile limits

In Options+, a plugin is a package of actions for a specific app or feature:

• Each application plugin includes a default profile, though some default profiles are not available yet.
• To download plugins, open your device configuration page, click All Actions and select Find More from Marketplace.
• Creating a new profile for an app also installs its matching plugin.
• A pulsating purple dot next to a plugin's name means an update is available.
• The active profile decides which app plugins you can use.
• For example, on a Photoshop profile only the Photoshop plugin is usable.
• Web-service plugins such as Spotify, Philips Hue, Twitch and IFTTT do not need a desktop app installed.
• Since Logi Options+ 1.99, every official Marketplace plugin goes through a security review.
• You can still install plugins from other sources, but Options+ shows a security notification for them.

Configurator languages

Logi Options+ supports 19 languages overall. The MX Creative Console and MX Keypad configurator supports six: English, French, German, Japanese, Italian and Spanish. To change it, open Settings with the gear icon in the top right corner and pick a language from the dropdown.

Orbtile: drive the MX Creative Keypad over USB for coding agents

Orbtile drives the Logitech MX Creative Keypad, or the standalone MX Keypad, over USB by itself. It uses the keypad's nine LCD keys and two page buttons. It does not need Logi Options+, and the keypad needs no account. It runs on an Apple silicon Mac with macOS 14.0 Sonoma or later, or on a Windows 11 PC (x64).

Orbtile and Options+ can share the computer:

• If Options+ is installed, it stays installed on your computer.
• While Orbtile is in control, your Options+ profile for the keypad pauses.
• Whenever you quit Orbtile, it lets go of the keypad; with Logi Options+ installed, Options+ takes it back immediately.
• You can also choose Give Keypad to Options+ in the menu bar or hold both page buttons for 1.5 seconds.
• The shortcut Control-Option-Command-K on a Mac or Ctrl+Alt+Win+K on Windows switches the keypad between the two.
• When your computer enters full system sleep, Orbtile lets go of the keypad; with Logi Options+ installed, Options+ takes it back.

On the keypad, keys 1 through 8 show your coding-agent sessions, and key 9 summarises them all:

• Orbtile shows sessions from Claude Code, Codex, ZCode, Antigravity and Kimi Code, and other tools through its Adapter API.
• Keys 1 through 8 arrange sessions by state: waiting first, then working, recent finishes and idle.
• Tapping key 9 focuses the first waiting session, including sessions on other pages.
• A short press under 0.6 seconds on a session key opens that session in its app or terminal window.
• Holding a session key for 0.6 seconds or longer opens Focus mode across all nine keys.
• For a local permission request, press Deny on key 7 or hold Allow on key 9 for 0.6 seconds.

Without the keypad, Orbtile Mobile can be the pad instead. It runs on an iPhone (iOS 17+) or an Android phone (Android 8.0+) signed in with the same account as your computer. See Use the Logitech MX Creative Keypad without Logi Options+, The Logitech MX Keypad for developers, with and without Options+ and Orbtile and Logitech's Claude plugin, compared.