### System details

Model: MacBookPro16,1 (16-inch 2019) Distribution: Omarchy (Arch-based) Kernel: 6.17.2-arch1-Watanare-T2-1-t2 Touch Bar Driver: hid_appletb_kbd (in-tree kernel module) DKMS Modules:  apple-ib-drv/r307.4afd309 binder/1

### What's wrong?

**Issue Description**
The mode parameter for the hid_appletb_kbd kernel module does not function as documented. According to modinfo hid_appletb_kbd, the mode parameter should support:

- mode=0 - escape key only
- mode=1 - function-keys
- mode=2 - special keys (default)

However, regardless of the mode setting, the Touch Bar always displays and sends function keys (F1-F12) by default, behaving as if mode=1 is active even when mode=2 is explicitly configured.

**Expected Behavior**
With mode=2 set, the Touch Bar should:

- Display special function icons (brightness, volume, media controls, etc.) by default
- Send special function key codes when pressed directly
- Display F1-F12 and send function key codes only when Fn key is held

**Actual Behavior**
With mode=2 set, the Touch Bar:

- Displays F1-F12 by default
- Sends function key codes (e.g., F5 refreshes browser) when pressed directly
- Only switches to special functions when Fn key is held (fntoggle is working correctly)

**Steps to Reproduce**

Create /etc/modprobe.d/hid_appletb_kbd.conf with content:

   options hid_appletb_kbd mode=2 fntoggle=Y

Update initramfs: sudo limine-update
Reboot the system
Verify the mode parameter is set correctly:

   cat /sys/module/hid_appletb_kbd/parameters/mode
   (Returns: 2)

Touch Bar still shows F1-F12 by default instead of special function icons

**Configuration Attempts**
We tried configuring multiple modules before identifying the correct one:
Incorrect modules tested:

- hid_apple (controls main keyboard, not Touch Bar)
- apple_touchbar (separate module, not controlling key behavior)
- apple_ib_tb (doesn't exist on this system)

Correct module identified:

- hid_appletb_kbd - controls Touch Bar keyboard mode

**Current module parameters:**

cat /sys/module/hid_appletb_kbd/parameters/*
Y        # autodim
60       # dim_timeout
Y        # fntoggle
15       # idle_timeout
2        # mode

**Additional Notes**

The fntoggle parameter works correctly - pressing Fn does toggle between function keys and special functions
The mode parameter appears to be read-only after boot (permissions: .r--r--r--)
The issue persists with mode=0, mode=1, and mode=2 configurations
No other Apple or Touch Bar processes are running that might override the driver

**Relevant dmesg Output**
[   22.456977] apple_touchbar: loading out-of-tree module taints kernel.
[    4.523665] input: Apple Inc. Touch Bar Display as /devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:1b.0/0000:04:00.1/apple-bce/apple-bce/bce-vhci/usb7/7-6/7-6:1.0/0003:05AC:8302.0008/input/input8
[    4.574573] hid-appletb-kbd 0003:05AC:8302.0008: input: USB HID v1.01 Keyboard [Apple Inc. Touch Bar Display] on usb-bce-vhci-6/input0

**Loaded Modules**
bash$ lsmod | grep apple
appletbdrm             24576  1
applesmc               45056  0
apple_touchbar         40960  0
apple_gmux             28672  0
apple_mfi_fastcharge    16384  0
hid_appletb_kbd        16384  0
hid_appletb_bl         12288  0
hid_apple              32768  0
apple_bce             147456  1


Could this be a known issue with the MacBookPro16,1 model, or is there additional configuration required to make the mode parameter function correctly? Any guidance on debugging this further would be appreciated.

[omarchy-debug.log](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/23140669/omarchy-debug.log)