What is the reliable way to detect OS using Javascript?

Question

The use of navigator.userAgent is not advised as per MDN. In my application I want to have a shortcut for del key.

In mac del key (is backspace) with charCode = 8. In windows del key charCode = 46.

I want to treat both keyEvents same. I am currently using userAgent but it is unreliable as that property can be spoofed. I am wondering what is the best way to know the client OS otherwise.

More deprecated navigator properties navigator.appVersion navigator.platform

/* code objective */
if ((keycode == 8 && os == 'macintosh') || keycode == 46) {
    //This is keyboard shortcut to perform delete
}

Possible duplicate of How to find the operating system version using JavaScript — Anderson Green
– Anderson Green, Commented Nov 10, 2015 at 0:27
Are you only looking for the OS name or you would like to know the platform as well? — Moe
– Moe, Commented Nov 10, 2015 at 0:28
@Moe - Just the OS name is good enough to differentiate macintosh — Prabhakar Kasi
– Prabhakar Kasi, Commented Nov 10, 2015 at 0:32
Note that keypress itself uses navigator.userAgent github.com/dmauro/Keypress/blob/development/keypress.js#L776 — Schahriar SaffarShargh
– Schahriar SaffarShargh, Commented Nov 10, 2015 at 0:36

Prabhakar Kasi · Accepted Answer · 2018-02-21 19:42:48Z

1

Relying on KeyboardEvent.metaKey and KeyboardEvent.Backspace solved my problem

Full Key Values - https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/KeyboardEvent/key/Key_Values

For more details refer: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/KeyboardEvent/key#Key_values

Thanks to @Teoli2003 for twitter reply - https://twitter.com/Teoli2003/status/663995373766221824

edited Feb 21, 2018 at 19:42

answered Feb 21, 2018 at 19:35

Prabhakar Kasi

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