How to Connect Magic Keyboard to a Macbook

Pairing the standalone Magic Keyboard with Touch ID to your Apple laptop

By
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen
Writer
  • Swansea University, Staffordshire University
Jennifer Allen has been writing about technology since 2010. Her work has appeared in Mashable, TechRadar, and many more publications.
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Updated on May 24, 2022
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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What to Know

  • Connect your Magic Keyboard to your MacBook with the USB-C to Lightning cable to first pair it.
  • Click Apple Logo > System Preferences > Bluetooth to check the devices have paired.
  • The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID works with all Macs, but Touch ID only works with devices with the M1 chip.

This article teaches you how to connect the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID to your MacBook and how to turn it on and use it.

How Do I Connect My Magic Keyboard? 

If you have just bought a Magic keyboard with Touch ID, setting it up to work with your Apple laptop doesn't take long. Here's how to connect your Magic Keyboard.

  1. Connect your Magic Keyboard to your MacBook, MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro with the USB-C to Lightning cable that comes with it.

  2. On the top side of your Magic Keyboard, toggle the device's power switch to the On Position, so the green is visible under it. 

  3. On your MacBook, click the Apple logo.

    macOS desktop with Apple logo highlighted

  4. Click System Preferences.

  5. Click Bluetooth. 

    macOS System Preferences with Bluetooth highlighted

    Alternatively, on the Apple Menu Bar, click Control Center > Bluetooth to check the pairing. 

  6. Wait for the device to finish pairing with your MacBook.

    macOS Bluetooth settings with Magic Keyboard highlighted

    If the device is displayed but doesn't automatically pair, click Connect to finish the process.

  7. Unplug the cable to use it wirelessly. 

How Do I Turn on Magic Keyboard on My MacBook Pro?

Once you've paired your Magic Keyboard with your MacBook Pro, using it is very simple. Here's how to turn it on before use.

Due to how the Magic Keyboard uses its battery, there's no need to switch it off manually unless you don't plan to use it for an extended time.

  1. On the top side of the keyboard, toggle on the power switch so that you can see a small amount of green underneath the toggle. 

  2. Start using the keyboard to turn it on. It will automatically pair with your MacBook providing it's previously been paired with it.

  3. Toggle the power switch the other way to switch it back off. 

Does the Magic Keyboard With Touch ID Work With All MacBooks?

Yes and no. As a Bluetooth keyboard, the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID works with all MacBooks with Bluetooth functionality. 

To use the Touch ID functionality part of the Magic Keyboard, users need to have a Mac that contains the Apple Silicon chip - the M1 processor. That includes the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020), as well as iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021), and Mac Mini (M1, 2020) and newer. 

While the keyboard will work as a keyboard, you'll miss out on the security features that Touch ID brings if you have an older device.

Why Won’t My Magic Keyboard Pair With My MacBook?

If your Magic Keyboard doesn't connect with your MacBook, it can be for several reasons. Here's a look at how to fix some of the most common issues.

  • Turn the device off and on. Turn the Magic Keyboard off and back on again. This action will often restore the connection.
  • Connect the keyboard with a cable. Try reconnecting your MacBook and Magic Keyboard physically again before repairing them via Bluetooth.
  • Check Bluetooth is on. Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your MacBook by clicking Apple logo > System Preferences > Bluetooth. 
FAQ
  • How do I connect a Magic Keyboard to an iPad?

    Follow the steps for connecting Bluetooth devices with iPads. Turn on the Magic Keyboard > enable Bluetooth on your iPad from Settings > Bluetooth > and select the keyboard from Other Devices. If you previously paired your Magic Keyboard to a different device, unpair that device first.

  • How do I connect a Magic Keyboard on Windows 10?

    To use a Magic Keyboard on Windows 10, launch Bluetooth pairing from the Start menu > Settings > Bluetooth. Move the toggle to the on position next to Bluetooth if it's not enabled > click Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth. Then select Magic Keyboard when it appears on the list of available devices.

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