diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0daa6742..07db5c32 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -492,6 +492,8 @@ This configuration file holds general user interface settings. Default content:
     file_picker_command=
     file_picker_persist_dir=1
     help_enabled=1
+    help_prefix_ctrl=^
+    help_prefix_meta=M-
     home_fetch_all=0
     linefeed_on_enter=1
     link_open_command=
@@ -695,6 +697,22 @@ last selected file.
 
 Specifies whether to display help bar. Controlled by Ctrl-g in run-time.
 
+### help_prefix_ctrl
+
+Specifies the prefix used in the help bar for control key combinations,
+i.e. `^` results in `^X` being displayed for Ctrl-X. Users on macOS may
+prefer the Apple modifier symbol `⌃` here.
+
+### help_prefix_meta
+
+Specifies the prefix used in the help bar for meta / alt key combinations,
+i.e. `M-` results in `M-/` being displayed for Alt-/. Users on macOS may
+prefer the Apple modifier symbol `⌥` here. Other alternatives include
+`A-` and `Alt-`.
+
+Note that these prefixes are only cosmetic, the actual key bindings are
+configured in `key.conf`.
+
 ### home_fetch_all
 
 Specifies whether `home` button shall repeatedly fetch all chat history.
diff --git a/lib/common/src/version.h b/lib/common/src/version.h
index 7db910b3..c4f4dc9d 100644
--- a/lib/common/src/version.h
+++ b/lib/common/src/version.h
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
-#define NCHAT_VERSION "5.18.18"
+#define NCHAT_VERSION "5.18.19"
diff --git a/src/nchat.1 b/src/nchat.1
index 40bd3047..ce16f910 100644
--- a/src/nchat.1
+++ b/src/nchat.1
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 .\" DO NOT MODIFY THIS FILE!  It was generated by help2man.
-.TH NCHAT "1" "August 2026" "nchat 5.18.18" "User Commands"
+.TH NCHAT "1" "August 2026" "nchat 5.18.19" "User Commands"
 .SH NAME
 nchat \- ncurses chat
 .SH SYNOPSIS
diff --git a/src/uiconfig.cpp b/src/uiconfig.cpp
index 43c54956..a852e2b4 100644
--- a/src/uiconfig.cpp
+++ b/src/uiconfig.cpp
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@ void UiConfig::Init()
     { "file_picker_command", "" },
     { "file_picker_persist_dir", "1" },
     { "help_enabled", "1" },
+    { "help_prefix_ctrl", "^" },
+    { "help_prefix_meta", "M-" },
     { "home_fetch_all", "0" },
     { "linefeed_on_enter", "1" },
     { "link_open_command", "" },
diff --git a/src/uihelpview.cpp b/src/uihelpview.cpp
index e0c57438..32e8e829 100644
--- a/src/uihelpview.cpp
+++ b/src/uihelpview.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 
 #include "strutil.h"
 #include "uicolorconfig.h"
+#include "uiconfig.h"
 #include "uikeyconfig.h"
 #include "uimodel.h"
 
@@ -270,14 +271,16 @@ std::string UiHelpView::GetKeyDisplay(const std::string& p_Func)
   const std::string keyName = UiKeyConfig::GetStr(p_Func);
   if ((keyName.size() == 9) && (keyName >= "KEY_CTRLA") && (keyName <= "KEY_CTRLZ"))
   {
-    return "^" + keyName.substr(8, 1);
+    static const std::string helpPrefixCtrl = UiConfig::GetStr("help_prefix_ctrl");
+    return helpPrefixCtrl + keyName.substr(8, 1);
   }
   else if (std::count(keyName.begin(), keyName.end(), '\\') == 2)
   {
     const std::string keyStr = StrUtil::StrFromOct(keyName);
     if ((keyStr.size() == 2) && (keyStr.at(0) == '\33') && StrUtil::IsValidTextKey(keyStr.at(1)))
     {
-      return "M-" + keyStr.substr(1);
+      static const std::string helpPrefixMeta = UiConfig::GetStr("help_prefix_meta");
+      return helpPrefixMeta + keyStr.substr(1);
     }
   }
   else if (keyName == "KEY_RETURN")