The basic connection process

To connect a Magic Keyboard to your MacBook, turn on the keyboard first, then go to System Settings on your Mac, select Bluetooth, and click "Connect" next to the Magic Keyboard when it appears in the list. The keyboard will pair when ready and stay connected to that Mac from then on.

The entire process takes about 30 seconds. You do not need a cable, a code, or any software beyond what your Mac already has. If the keyboard does not appear in the Bluetooth list within 10 seconds of turning it on, hold down the power button for three seconds until you see a white light flash on the back — that puts it into pairing mode.

Key Takeaways

  • Magic Keyboards pair through Bluetooth in System Settings and remember your Mac permanently, so you only pair once.
  • A white light flash on the keyboard's back means it is in pairing mode and ready to connect.
  • If your keyboard does not appear in the Bluetooth list, check that it has battery charge and that Bluetooth is turned on in System Settings.
  • You can pair the same Magic Keyboard to multiple Macs, but it can only connect to one Mac at a time.

What to check before you start

Make sure your Magic Keyboard has battery charge. A keyboard with a dead battery will not show up in the Bluetooth list. Plug it into a USB-C cable for 10 minutes — the light on the back will turn white when it has enough power to pair.

Check that Bluetooth is turned on in your Mac's System Settings. Go to System Settings, click Bluetooth in the sidebar, and confirm the toggle at the top is switched on. If Bluetooth is off, your Mac cannot see any wireless keyboard, no matter how close it is.

Keep the keyboard within three feet of your Mac during pairing. Bluetooth works at longer distances once paired, but during the initial connection, proximity helps the two devices find each other reliably.

Pairing a new keyboard for the first time

Turn on the Magic Keyboard by pressing the power button on the back. You will see a white light appear on the underside of the keyboard. Open System Settings on your Mac and click Bluetooth in the sidebar. Wait a few seconds — the Magic Keyboard should appear in the list of available devices.

Click the "Connect" button next to the Magic Keyboard's name. The keyboard will pair when ready, and you will see "Connected" appear next to its name. Your Mac now remembers this keyboard and will reconnect to it automatically whenever the keyboard is turned on and in range.

If the keyboard does not appear after 10 seconds, hold down the power button on the back for three seconds until you see the white light flash. This puts the keyboard into pairing mode, which makes it visible to your Mac for two minutes.

Reconnecting a keyboard that was previously paired

If you have already paired a Magic Keyboard to your Mac and it is not connecting, first check that the keyboard is turned on — press the power button on the back. Then turn Bluetooth off and on again in System Settings by clicking the toggle twice. Wait five seconds and the keyboard should reconnect automatically.

If it still does not connect, check the keyboard's battery. A keyboard with very low charge may not maintain a connection even if it has enough power to turn on. Plug it in for 15 minutes and try again.

If the keyboard still does not appear, you can unpair it and pair it again. Go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, find the Magic Keyboard in the list, click the information icon next to its name, and select "Forget This Device." Then repeat the pairing steps above as if it were a new keyboard.

Using the same keyboard with multiple Macs

A single Magic Keyboard can pair with more than one Mac, but it can only be connected to one Mac at a time. To switch the keyboard from one Mac to another, turn it off, turn it on next to the second Mac, and it will reconnect to that Mac instead.

The keyboard remembers both Macs. When you turn it on near your work Mac, it connects to your work Mac. When you turn it on near your personal Mac, it connects to your personal Mac. You do not need to unpair and re-pair each time you switch.

If the keyboard is having trouble connecting to the second Mac, go to System Settings on the first Mac, find the keyboard in Bluetooth, and select "Forget This Device." Then pair it to the second Mac as a new device. Once it is paired to the second Mac, you can use the on-off switch to toggle between the two Macs.

Troubleshooting when the keyboard will not pair

If the Magic Keyboard does not appear in the Bluetooth list at all, restart your Mac. Shut it down completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Sometimes the Bluetooth system needs a fresh start.

If restarting does not work, try resetting the keyboard's Bluetooth connection. Hold down the power button on the back for 10 seconds until the light goes out, then wait five seconds and press the power button again. This clears the keyboard's memory of previous connections and puts it in pairing mode.

If the keyboard appears in the Bluetooth list but the "Connect" button does not work, or if it connects and then when ready disconnects, the keyboard and Mac may have a corrupted pairing. Forget the device on your Mac (go to Bluetooth settings, click the information icon, and select "Forget This Device"), then reset the keyboard as described above and pair them again from scratch.

What to do if the keyboard connects but does not type

If the Magic Keyboard is connected but the keys do not produce text, first check that you are actually typing in a text field. Click in a document, email, or search box to make sure the cursor is active, then try typing again.

If the cursor is in the right place but still nothing appears, disconnect and reconnect the keyboard. Go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, find the Magic Keyboard, click the information icon, and select "Disconnect." Wait five seconds, then click "Connect" again.

If the keyboard still does not type after reconnecting, restart your Mac. A few keyboard drivers can get stuck and need a full restart to reset. If typing still does not work after a restart, the keyboard itself may have a hardware problem — try pairing it to a different Mac to see if the problem follows the keyboard or stays with your original Mac.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to charge the Magic Keyboard before I use it?

New Magic Keyboards come with some charge, but it is usually low. Plug it in for 10 to 15 minutes before pairing to make sure it has enough power to connect reliably. Once paired, you can charge it whenever it is convenient — the keyboard will work while plugged in.

Can I use a Magic Keyboard with an iPad or iPhone?

Yes. Magic Keyboards pair with iPad and iPhone the same way they pair with Mac — through Bluetooth in Settings. However, a Magic Keyboard designed for Mac may have some keys that do not work on iPad or iPhone, such as the Mission Control or Launchpad keys. The basic typing keys work on all devices.

What if I lost the Magic Keyboard and need to remove it from my Mac?

Go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, find the Magic Keyboard in the list, click the information icon next to its name, and select "Forget This Device." This removes it from your Mac's memory. If you later find the keyboard or get a new one, you can pair it again.

Will the Magic Keyboard work if my Mac is in sleep mode?

Yes. Pressing any key on the Magic Keyboard will wake your Mac from sleep. The keyboard stays connected even when your Mac is asleep, so you do not need to turn it off and back on.

How long does the Magic Keyboard battery last?

Battery life varies depending on how much you type, but most Magic Keyboards last between one and three months on a single charge. Your Mac will notify you when the battery is low. Charge it whenever you see the notification — you do not have to wait until it is completely dead.