The basic process: pairing your keyboard
An Apple keyboard connects to your device through Bluetooth, a wireless technology that lets devices talk to each other without cables. When you first turn on a new Apple keyboard, it automatically enters pairing mode — a state where it's looking for a device to connect to. Your computer or tablet then finds the keyboard and remembers it, so you don't have to repeat the process every time you use it.
The steps are nearly identical whether you're using a Mac, iPad, or iPhone, though most people pair keyboards with Macs or iPads since typing on a phone keyboard is rare. The whole process takes about two minutes and requires nothing but the keyboard itself and the device you want to use it with.
Key Takeaways
- Apple keyboards use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly, and new keyboards automatically enter pairing mode when you turn them on for the first time.
- On a Mac, you open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and select your keyboard from the list that appears.
- On an iPad or iPhone, the process is identical: Settings, then Bluetooth, then tap your keyboard's name.
- Once paired, your keyboard will reconnect automatically whenever it's turned on and in range, without any action from you.
- If your keyboard doesn't appear in the Bluetooth list, turn it off and on again, or check that the battery isn't dead.
Pairing an Apple keyboard with a Mac
Start by turning on your Apple keyboard. Most models have a power switch on the back or bottom — flip it to the on position. You should see a light on the keyboard indicating it's powered up. Leave the keyboard sitting on your desk or table; you don't need to hold it or point it at anything.
On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Look for Bluetooth in the sidebar on the left and click it. Your Mac will begin searching for nearby Bluetooth devices. Within a few seconds, your keyboard's name should appear in the list — it will say something like "Apple Keyboard" or "Magic Keyboard".
Click your keyboard's name in the list. A dialog box may appear asking you to confirm the pairing or enter a code, but most Apple keyboards pair without any extra steps. Once you see "Connected" next to your keyboard's name, you're done. Try typing something to confirm the keys are working.
Pairing an Apple keyboard with an iPad or iPhone
Turn on your Apple keyboard the same way — flip the power switch and wait for the light to come on. On your iPad or iPhone, open the Settings app (the gray gear icon on your home screen). Tap Bluetooth near the top of the menu.
Your device will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. When your keyboard appears in the list, tap its name. Like pairing with a Mac, you may see a confirmation dialog, but the keyboard usually connects without extra steps. Once you see "Connected" next to the keyboard's name, you can start typing.
iPads are the most common pairing partner for Apple keyboards outside of Macs, since the keyboard makes typing longer documents much faster than using the on-screen keyboard.
What to do if your keyboard doesn't appear in the Bluetooth list
If you've turned on your keyboard but don't see it in the Bluetooth list after waiting 10 seconds, the most common cause is that the keyboard is already paired with another device. Apple keyboards can only connect to one device at a time. Turn off the keyboard, wait 5 seconds, then turn it back on. This resets it and puts it back into pairing mode.
The second most common issue is a dead or dying battery. If your keyboard uses replaceable batteries (older models do), open the battery compartment and check that the batteries are installed correctly and not corroded. If your keyboard is rechargeable (newer Magic Keyboards are), plug it into a USB-C cable and let it charge for at least 30 minutes before trying again.
If you've tried both of these steps and the keyboard still doesn't appear, restart your device entirely. On a Mac, click the Apple menu and select Restart. On an iPad or iPhone, hold down the power button until the power-off slider appears, then slide it to turn off the device. Wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Once your device has restarted, turn on the keyboard again and repeat the pairing steps.
Reconnecting after the initial pairing
After you've paired your keyboard once, you don't need to repeat the pairing process. Every time you turn on the keyboard, it will automatically reconnect to the last device it was paired with, as long as that device is nearby and Bluetooth is turned on. This happens in the background without any action from you.
If you want to use the same keyboard with a different device — for example, switching from your Mac to your iPad — you'll need to pair it with the new device. Turn off the keyboard, turn it on again to reset it, then follow the pairing steps for your new device. The keyboard will forget the old pairing and connect to the new one.
Checking your keyboard's battery level
On a Mac, you can see your keyboard's battery level in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Click the Bluetooth icon (it looks like a fan or radio waves) and look for your keyboard in the list — the battery percentage appears next to its name. On an iPad or iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and look for your keyboard in the list; the battery percentage shows there as well.
If your keyboard's battery is below 20 percent, it's a good time to charge it (if it's rechargeable) or replace the batteries (if it uses replaceable ones). A low battery can cause the keyboard to disconnect unexpectedly or fail to pair with a new device.
Disconnecting or forgetting a keyboard
If you want to stop using a keyboard with a particular device, you can remove it from that device's memory. On a Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, find your keyboard in the list, and click the X or "Remove" button next to its name. On an iPad or iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your keyboard, and tap the information icon (a small circle with an i), then tap "Forget This Device".
Once you've removed the keyboard, it won't automatically reconnect to that device anymore. If you want to use it with that device again in the future, you'll need to pair it again from scratch. Removing a keyboard from one device doesn't affect its pairing with other devices — if your keyboard is paired with both a Mac and an iPad, removing it from the Mac won't change its connection to the iPad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one Apple keyboard with multiple devices at the same time?
No. An Apple keyboard can only be actively connected to one device at a time. However, you can pair it with multiple devices and switch between them by turning the keyboard off and on again. When you turn it back on, it will reconnect to whichever device it was last paired with.
Why does my keyboard keep disconnecting?
The most common causes are a low battery, interference from other wireless devices, or the keyboard being out of Bluetooth range (usually more than 30 feet away). Check the battery level first. If the battery is fine, try moving closer to your device or away from other wireless devices like microwaves or routers. If disconnections continue, restart both your keyboard and your device.
Do I need to install software or drivers to use an Apple keyboard?
No. Apple keyboards work with Macs, iPads, and iPhones without any software installation. They pair through Bluetooth and work when ready. Non-Apple devices may require drivers, but Apple's own devices recognize Apple keyboards automatically.
What's the difference between an Apple Keyboard and a Magic Keyboard?
Magic Keyboard is Apple's newer line of wireless keyboards. Both use Bluetooth to connect the same way. Magic Keyboards are rechargeable via USB-C, while older Apple Keyboards use replaceable batteries. The pairing process is identical for both.
Can I pair an Apple keyboard with a Windows computer?
Yes, Apple keyboards work with Windows computers through Bluetooth. The pairing process is slightly different — you'll go to Settings, then Devices, then Bluetooth, and select your keyboard from the list. However, some Mac-specific keys (like Command) won't function the way they do on a Mac.