New Magic Keyboard with Touch ID Review and FAQ!
This is the standalone Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, announced with the 24-inch M1 iMacs earlier this year. Many people wanted it for their existing Macs, and now you can buy it. I pair it to my MacBook Pro and answer questions from a previous video. Skillshare sponsored this video.
In the box
Plain Apple packaging: the keyboard with the Touch ID sensor, a Lightning port on top with the power switch and a Bluetooth cutout, and a braided, color-matched USB-C to Lightning cable. I’m happy Apple’s including braided cables with accessories lately: more durable and flexible, and easier to straighten after being wrapped in a bag. Unlike the 24-inch iMacs, the only color of the standalone version is silver and white.
Compared with the previous keyboard
It’s exactly the keyboard that comes with the silver 24-inch iMac. Compared with the previous Magic Keyboard, it adds the Touch ID sensor at the top right, and replaces the old eject key and empty F5 and F6 keys with dictation, Do Not Disturb and Siri/search keys. It’s the same width, height and depth, but the corners are more rounded, so accessories that hold the Magic Keyboard should still work.
Pairing to an M1 Mac
Two ways:
- With the keyboard on, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth, find it at the bottom and click Connect.
- Plug the Lightning cable into the keyboard and the Mac, and it’s instantly paired.
Then the Touch ID setting appears in System Preferences (even on an M1 Mac mini without native Touch ID). Adding a fingerprint works as on any Touch ID device (raise and lower your finger). The first time you set up the keyboard with a new Mac, you have to do a hardware pairing: double-press the Touch ID button on a MacBook, or the power button on an iMac or Mac mini, which creates a hardware handshake between the computer and keyboard. Then register your finger.
My original fingerprint from the MacBook Pro’s built-in Touch ID is still there, because fingerprint data is stored in the M1’s Secure Enclave: you can use either. To lock the computer, press the Touch ID sensor (it’s a physical button); to unlock, rest your finger on it.
Frequently asked questions
- Does it work with an iPad Pro, Air or any iPad? Yes and no. It works as a regular Bluetooth keyboard (typing, shortcuts), but Touch ID doesn’t work with an iPad: it won’t unlock the device or authenticate Apple Pay.
- Does it work with the M1 Mac mini? Yes, as with any M1-based Mac (MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac and Mac mini).
- Does it work with an Intel Mac? Yes and no. You can pair it with any Intel Mac and it works as a keyboard, but Touch ID only works on M1 Macs.
- Is it backlit? No, just like the previous Magic Keyboard. I’m surprised Apple hasn’t added a backlight to its external keyboards; I’d prefer one even with shorter battery life and more charging. Logitech has some great third-party options.
- Can you do fast user switching with Touch ID? Yes, which is pretty cool: with multiple accounts and different Touch ID profiles set up, pressing the sensor switches to the account registered to the finger you use. The accounts must already be logged in; otherwise, go to the lock screen, switch users and log in first.
- Can you use it wired, with Bluetooth off? Yes. Connect with the Lightning cable, turn Bluetooth off, and the keyboard still works, so you can avoid any Bluetooth connectivity issues.
Sponsor
Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes on illustration, design, freelancing, filmmaking and more. The spot recommended Christopher Rhodes’ class on making videos on a budget (developing a vision, a shot list and a budget gear list, and using natural light), and the first 1,000 people who use the link in the description get a one-month free trial of Skillshare Premium.
Do you have questions or comments about the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID?
Links
- The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
- Extended Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
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In this video
- 0:00 intro
- 0:40 unboxing
- 1:28 compare against previous Magic Keyboard
- 2:23 pairing to a Mac
- 2:57 configure Touch ID and testing
- 5:50 can you use with an iPad Pro or Air?
- 6:18 can you use with an M1 Mac Mini?
- 6:37 can you use with an Intel or older Mac?
- 7:00 is the keyboard backlit?
- 7:27 fast user switching
- 8:08 can you use wired without bluetooth?
Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I may receive a small commission. See my ethics statement.
