How to Use a Mac Magic Keyboard on a Windows PC

And tips for mapping the keys to your preferences

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 February 16, 2022
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
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Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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What to Know

  • All Mac and Apple keyboards also work on the PC.
  • Connect via Bluetooth by clicking Bluetooth > Add Bluetooth > and select your Magic Keyboard from the list.
  • It's possible to remap any keys via the Microsoft PowerTools app.

This article teaches you how to use a Mac Magic Keyboard on a Windows 10 computer and remap some keys if you choose to.

Can I Use a Mac keyboard on a PC?

Yes. Just because a keyboard is targeted at Apple users doesn't mean you can't use it on a PC as well. In the case of the Magic Keyboard, it's Bluetooth-enabled, so users can connect it to any PC that has Bluetooth capabilities, or they can plug it in via the bundled USB cable. There's no need to install drivers or deal with a complicated setup.

Can I Use an Apple Keyboard on a Windows PC?

Yes. Much like any Mac-labeled keyboard, Apple Keyboards, including the Magic Keyboard and Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, can all be used with a Windows PC once you've set it up correctly.

Touch ID only works on Apple devices but the rest of the keyboard is fully functional. 

How Do You Connect a Mac Keyboard to a PC?

Connecting a Mac keyboard to a PC is as simple as adding any other keyboard. It's possible to plug the keyboard in via the USB cable that comes with it, but a better solution is Bluetooth. Here's how to connect it.

If your Magic Keyboard is already paired with another device such as a Mac and it's switched on, toggle the Magic Keyboard power switch off then on to put it back into pairing mode.

  1. On your Windows laptop, type Bluetooth into the Windows 10 taskbar search or go to Start Menu > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth.

  2. Click Bluetooth and other devices.

    Steps required to find Bluetooth settings on Windows 10

  3. Click Add Bluetooth or other device.

    Steps required to add Bluetooth device to Windows 10

  4. Click Bluetooth.

    Windows 10 Add Bluetooth device screen

  5. Wait for the PC to detect the Magic Keyboard.

    If it doesn't detect it, toggle the power switch on the Magic Keyboard and tap a key.

  6. Click Magic Keyboard.

    Windows 10 with Add a Bluetooth device open and Magic Keyboard highlighted

  7. Wait for it to connect.

  8. Click Done.

How Do I Use a Mac Key on a Windows Keyboard?

Most of the keys on your Magic Keyboard work the same on a Windows system as they do on a Mac device. However, it can be helpful to map keys such as function keys to specific settings. You'll need to download a separate app called PowerToys, but it's a valuable way to remap keys. Here's how to assign keys on a Magic Keyboard for Windows.

Looking for the Windows key? On a Magic Keyboard, that's automatically mapped to the Command button.

  1. Download Microsoft PowerToys from the official site and install it.

  2. Open the app.

  3. Click Keyboard Manager. 

    Microsoft PowerTools app with Keyboard Manager highlighted

  4. Click Remap a key.

    Windows 10 PowerTools app with keyboard manager open

  5. Click the plus button to add a new key mapping.

  6. Click Type and tap the key you wish to change.

  7. Click OK.

  8. Click Type under Mapped to follow the same process but with the key you wish to change it to.

  9. Click OK.

  10. Click OK to confirm the changes.

  11. Your key has now been remapped. 

FAQ
  • How do I take a screenshot on a PC using a Mac keyboard?

    Mac keyboards don't have the Print Screen key, so you can't use a keyboard shortcut. Instead, use the Windows Snipping Tool to take a screenshot. Search for the Snipping Tool from the Windows Start menu and choose your preferred style (free-form, window, rectangular, or full-screen) from the Mode drop-down menu.

  • What is the Mac Option key equivalent on a PC keyboard?

    The Alt key on a PC keyboard is the Mac Option key. It's one of several keys that appears in a different place or by a different name on a Windows keyboard. To compare the placement of other essential keys, browse our guide to Windows and Mac keyboard differences.

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