The basic steps to pair an Apple keyboard
An Apple keyboard connects to your device through Bluetooth, a wireless connection that lets devices talk to each other without cables. The keyboard needs to be turned on, your device needs to be looking for new devices, and you hold them close together while they find each other. This process is called pairing, and you only have to do it once — after that, the keyboard and device remember each other.
The exact steps depend on whether you have a Mac, iPad, or iPhone, but the idea is the same: turn on the keyboard, go to your device's settings, tell it to look for new Bluetooth devices, and select the keyboard when it appears on the list.
Key Takeaways
- Apple keyboards connect through Bluetooth, which means they work wirelessly once you pair them the first time.
- Before you start, make sure the keyboard is charged or has fresh batteries, and turn it on using the power switch on the back.
- On a Mac, you pair the keyboard in System Settings under Bluetooth; on iPad and iPhone, you use Settings and then Bluetooth.
- If the keyboard does not appear on the list, restart both the keyboard and your device, then try again.
- Once paired, the keyboard will reconnect automatically when you turn it on and your device is nearby.
Pairing an Apple keyboard with a Mac
Start by making sure your Apple keyboard has power. If it uses batteries, open the battery compartment on the back and check that the batteries are fresh. If it is a rechargeable model, plug it into a USB-C cable and let it charge for at least 30 minutes. Then flip the keyboard over and find the power switch on the back — it is usually a small slider. Move it to the on position.
On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Look for Bluetooth in the left sidebar and click it. You should see a message that says "Bluetooth is on" and a list of devices. If the list is empty or you do not see your keyboard yet, wait a few seconds — the Mac is searching for nearby devices. Your keyboard should appear in the list within 10 to 15 seconds. Click on it, and the Mac will ask you to confirm the pairing. Click Connect or Pair, depending on what your Mac shows.
Once the keyboard is connected, you should see it listed under "My Devices" in Bluetooth settings. Test it by opening a document or email and typing a few words to make sure the keys are working.
Pairing an Apple keyboard with an iPad
Turn on your Apple keyboard the same way as you would for a Mac — check the battery or charge it, then flip the power switch on the back to on. Make sure your iPad is unlocked and on the home screen.
Open the Settings app on your iPad. Tap Bluetooth near the top of the left sidebar. You should see "Bluetooth" is on, and below that, a list of available devices. Your keyboard should appear within 10 to 15 seconds. Tap on the keyboard name, and the iPad will show a pairing request. Tap Pair to confirm. Some keyboards ask you to type a four-digit code on the keyboard itself to finish pairing — if you see this screen, type the code and press Enter.
After pairing, the keyboard will show up under "My Devices" in Bluetooth settings. You can now use it to type in any app on your iPad. The keyboard will reconnect automatically the next time you turn it on and your iPad is nearby.
Pairing an Apple keyboard with an iPhone
The process for an iPhone is nearly identical to the iPad. Turn on your keyboard, unlock your iPhone, and open the Settings app. Tap Bluetooth, wait for your keyboard to appear in the list, and tap on it. Confirm the pairing when prompted. If the keyboard asks for a code, type it on the keyboard and press Enter.
Keep in mind that typing on an iPhone keyboard is less common than on a Mac or iPad because the iPhone screen is small. But if you use an iPhone with a keyboard case or a separate keyboard, this is how you connect it.
What to do if the keyboard does not appear
If you have waited 15 seconds and your keyboard still does not show up on the list, the first thing to try is restarting both devices. Turn off the keyboard using the power switch on the back, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your Mac, iPad, or iPhone by following the normal shutdown steps for that device. Once both are back on, go to Bluetooth settings again and look for the keyboard.
If the keyboard still does not appear, check that it actually has power. If it uses batteries, try replacing them with fresh ones. If it is rechargeable, plug it in and let it charge for at least an hour — a completely dead keyboard will not show up on the list. Also make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on in your device's settings; sometimes it gets turned off accidentally.
If you have already paired this keyboard with a different device, it might still be connected to that device. Disconnect it from the other device first, then try pairing it with your Mac, iPad, or iPhone. You can only use one Bluetooth connection at a time.
Reconnecting a keyboard you have already paired
Once you have paired an Apple keyboard with a device, you do not have to pair it again. The next time you turn on the keyboard, it will automatically reconnect to the device it was last paired with, as long as that device is nearby and Bluetooth is on.
If the keyboard does not reconnect automatically, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings. You can also try turning the keyboard off and back on again. If you want to use the same keyboard with a different device, you can pair it with that device too — most Apple keyboards can be paired with multiple devices, though they can only be connected to one at a time.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the keyboard is paired but the keys are not working, try turning the keyboard off and back on. If that does not help, go to Bluetooth settings, find the keyboard in the list, and click or tap the information icon next to it. Look for an option to Forget or Remove the device, select it, and then pair the keyboard again from scratch. This often fixes connection problems.
If the keyboard keeps disconnecting, the battery might be low. Charge a rechargeable keyboard or replace the batteries in a battery-powered one. Bluetooth connections are also weaker if there is a lot of distance or obstacles between the keyboard and your device, so try moving them closer together.
If you see a pairing code on your screen but the keyboard does not have a place to type it, you may have the wrong type of keyboard. Some older or third-party keyboards use a different pairing method. Check the manual that came with your keyboard or look up the model number on Apple's website to see the correct pairing steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair the keyboard every time I use it?
No. Once you pair an Apple keyboard with your device, it remembers that pairing. The next time you turn on the keyboard, it will reconnect automatically if your device is nearby and Bluetooth is on. You only pair it once, the first time you use it.
Can I use the same Apple keyboard with multiple devices?
Yes, you can pair an Apple keyboard with a Mac, iPad, and iPhone all at the same time. However, it can only be connected to one device at a time. If you want to switch which device you are typing on, turn the keyboard off and back on, and it will reconnect to whichever device is closest or was used most recently.
Why does my keyboard keep disconnecting?
The most common reason is a low battery. Charge a rechargeable keyboard or replace the batteries in a battery-powered one. Bluetooth also works better when the keyboard and device are close together and there are no large obstacles between them. If disconnections keep happening, try forgetting the keyboard in Bluetooth settings and pairing it again.
What if I forgot which device my keyboard is paired with?
Turn on the keyboard and see which device it connects to automatically — that is the device it was last paired with. If you want to pair it with a different device instead, go to Bluetooth settings on that device and look for the keyboard in the available devices list. You may need to forget it from the old device first if it keeps reconnecting there.
Is there a cable I can use instead of Bluetooth?
Some Apple keyboards come with a USB-C cable for charging, but they do not use the cable for typing — they only work wirelessly through Bluetooth. If you want a wired connection, you would need a different keyboard that has a USB cable for data, not just charging.