The basic steps to pair an Apple keyboard
An Apple keyboard connects to your Mac through Bluetooth, a wireless technology that lets devices talk to each other without cables. The process takes about two minutes: turn on the keyboard, make sure your Mac can see it, and confirm the pairing on your Mac's screen.
If your keyboard came with your Mac or you bought it from Apple, it will pair smoothly the first time. If you're connecting an older Apple keyboard or one you haven't used in a while, you may need to unpair it first — but the steps are the same either way.
Key Takeaways
- Apple keyboards use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly, and you pair them through your Mac's System Settings under Bluetooth.
- Turn on the keyboard and hold down the power button for three seconds to put it in pairing mode before your Mac can find it.
- Your Mac will show the keyboard's name in the Bluetooth list; click it and enter the pairing code shown on your screen into the keyboard.
- If the keyboard doesn't appear, restart Bluetooth on your Mac by turning it off and back on in System Settings.
- A full battery is required for pairing to work, so charge a new keyboard for at least two hours before you start.
Charge the keyboard before you begin
Apple keyboards ship with little or no battery charge. Plug the keyboard into a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on the model) and let it charge for at least two hours before you try to pair it. A keyboard with a low battery may not show up on your Mac's Bluetooth list, or the pairing may fail partway through.
You can check the battery level once the keyboard is paired — click the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner of your screen and look for the keyboard's name and battery percentage. But you cannot check it before pairing, so charge first and avoid the frustration.
Put the keyboard into pairing mode
Turn on the keyboard by sliding the power switch to the on position. Then hold down the power button for three seconds until you see a white light flash on the back of the keyboard. This light means the keyboard is in pairing mode and ready to be found by your Mac.
The light will stay on for about two minutes while the keyboard waits to be paired. If the light goes out before you finish the next steps, hold the power button again for three seconds to turn pairing mode back on.
Open Bluetooth settings on your Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then click System Settings. In the sidebar, click Bluetooth. Your Mac will start searching for nearby Bluetooth devices, and your keyboard should appear in the list within a few seconds.
If you see your keyboard's name in the list, move to the next step. If you don't see it after 30 seconds, try holding the power button on the keyboard again for three seconds to restart pairing mode. If it still doesn't appear, restart Bluetooth on your Mac: click the Bluetooth toggle to turn it off, wait five seconds, then click it again to turn it back on.
Complete the pairing on your Mac
Click your keyboard's name in the Bluetooth list. Your Mac will show a pairing code — usually four or five numbers — on the screen. Type this code into your keyboard using the number keys, then press Enter. Your Mac will confirm that the pairing is complete.
Once paired, your keyboard will connect automatically whenever you turn it on and your Mac is nearby. You won't need to enter the code again unless you unpair the keyboard or reset it.
What to do if pairing fails
If the pairing code doesn't work or your Mac says the pairing failed, the most common fix is to restart both devices. Turn off the keyboard, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then turn Bluetooth off and back on in System Settings. Put the keyboard into pairing mode again and try the steps above.
If your keyboard still won't pair, check that the battery is fully charged — a low battery is the most common reason pairing fails. You can also try unpairing the keyboard if it was previously connected to your Mac: click the information icon next to the keyboard's name in Bluetooth settings, then click Forget This Device. Wait 10 seconds and try pairing again from the beginning.
Connecting an older or previously paired keyboard
If you're connecting an Apple keyboard that was paired to a different Mac or hasn't been used in months, your current Mac may still have it in its Bluetooth memory. In this case, your Mac might try to connect automatically without showing the pairing code screen.
If this happens, click the information icon next to the keyboard's name in Bluetooth settings and select Forget This Device. Then turn off the keyboard, wait 10 seconds, turn it back on, and follow the pairing steps above. The keyboard will pair as if it were new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't my keyboard show up in the Bluetooth list?
The most common reason is a low or dead battery. Charge the keyboard for at least two hours, then try again. If it still doesn't appear, restart Bluetooth on your Mac by toggling it off and back on in System Settings, then hold the power button on the keyboard for three seconds to put it back into pairing mode.
Do I need to pair the keyboard every time I use it?
No. Once paired, the keyboard will connect automatically whenever it's turned on and your Mac is nearby. You only pair once. If the keyboard doesn't connect automatically, make sure it's turned on and charged, and that Bluetooth is turned on in your Mac's System Settings.
Can I use the same Apple keyboard with multiple Macs?
Yes, but you need to pair it separately with each Mac. The keyboard remembers all the Macs it's been paired with and will try to connect to whichever one is closest. If you want it to connect to a specific Mac, turn off Bluetooth on the other Macs or move them out of range.
What if the pairing code doesn't work when I type it?
Make sure you're using the number keys at the top of the keyboard, not the numeric keypad if your keyboard has one. If you type the wrong code, your Mac will ask you to try again. You have a few attempts before the pairing times out — if that happens, restart Bluetooth on your Mac and put the keyboard back into pairing mode.