CTRL-ALT-SPACE shortcut not working with evdev or auto mode on Ubuntu 20.04

[SamirSaidani]

I'm using the latest version of WhisperWriter on Ubuntu 20.04, and I've encountered an issue with the CTRL-ALT-SPACE shortcut not working when using the evdev backend. It took me a lot of time to figure out that in auto mode, it automatically switches to evdev in user mode, which causes the shortcut to fail. After multiple tests, I found that when setting up recording in auto mode instead of pynput, the shortcut doesn't work with either evdev or auto modes. However, when using pynput in user mode, the shortcut works as expected. Additionally, both modes work fine when running as root.

Steps to reproduce:

Install WhisperWriter on Ubuntu 20.04.

• Use the CTRL-ALT-SPACE shortcut.
• Test with evdev or auto mode in user mode – the shortcut does not work.
• Test with pynput in user mode – the shortcut works.
• Test with evdev or auto mode in root – the shortcut works.

Expected behavior: The CTRL-ALT-SPACE shortcut should work in user mode with evdev or auto mode.

Additional context:

• Python version: 3.11
• This issue does not occur when running WhisperWriter as root.

[Nielius]

This sounds like it's the same as the issue I was having: #84

• To check if it's the same issue, run python -c "import evdev; print(evdev.list_devices())". If it prints an empty list, it's probably the same issue.
• You can also try my solution: sudo usermod -aG input your-username-here and then restart (maybe logout/login is good enough).

[SamirSaidani]

This sounds like it's the same as the issue I was having: #84

* To check if it's the same issue, run `python -c "import evdev; print(evdev.list_devices())"`. If it prints an empty list, it's probably the same issue.

I confirm, it's the same issue.

* You can also try my solution: `sudo usermod -aG input your-username-here` and then restart (maybe logout/login is good enough).

I'm aware of this solution, I avoid it because it allows keyloggers to operate in user mode.