How to Connect Keyboard to Mac

Trying to connect a new keyboard to your Mac? Whether your chosen board connects with a cable over USB or wirelessly by Bluetooth, you should be up and running in no time. Meanwhile, you may encounter little frustrations along the way if macOS decides it doesn’t want to play nicely.

In this guide, we’ll show you the best way to connect the Apple Magic Keyboard and third-party wired and wireless keyboards to your Mac the right way to avoid any issues.

Before we start:

 

Struggling to use a mouse, keyboard, and other peripherals with your Mac? It can get pretty frustrating when your devices don’t work together, but there’s usually an easy fix. MacKeeper’s Premium Services can help you troubleshoot issues with your Mac in no time at all.

 

Here’s how to get in touch with us 24/7:

1. Download and install MacKeeper on your Mac.
2. When the MacKeeper app opens, select Premium Services in the sidebar, then click Chat Now.
3. You’ll be connected with a MacKeeper expert in seconds. Describe the issue you face in as much detail as possible to get the best help.

How to connect wired keyboard to Mac

Opting for a wired keyboard is one way to all but guarantee that your device will connect to and work with your Mac without any issues. How? Simply plug the cable into a USB port on your computer, configure the keyboard on macOS, and you’re ready to start typing.

Let’s look at each of those steps in more detail:

1. Turn on your Mac
2. Connect the USB keyboard to the USB port
3. Select a keyboard type
4. Set up your keyboard

1. Turn on your Mac

If you haven’t already turned on your Mac, you’ll need to do that before you begin setting up your keyboard. Although you could connect a wired keyboard before booting up, you risk macOS skipping the setup prompt, which could lead to it defaulting to the wrong keyboard layout.

2. Connect the USB keyboard to the USB port

Once your Mac is booted up and logged in, it’s time to connect your keyboard. Take the USB cable and plug it into a free USB port on your Mac.

Hint from our team: If your keyboard uses a USB Type A (USB-A) connector, and you’re using a modern MacBook with only USB Type C (USB-C) ports, you’ll need an adapter or hub.

3. Select a keyboard type

When macOS sees your keyboard, it automatically opens the Keyboard Setup Assistant to confirm your keyboard type or layout. Depending on the keyboard, you’ll be prompted to press certain keys. Follow the steps on the screen to continue.

After the first or second key press, macOS will detect what kind of layout your keyboard uses. However, to ensure this is correct, check and confirm whether the right layout has been identified. If it looks correct, click Done to close the Keyboard Setup Assistant.

4. Set up your keyboard

After your keyboard type or layout is confirmed, you’re ready to start typing. However, you may want to change other keyboard settings or customize certain keys, like the Mac keyboard symbols. Here’s how:

1. Open System Settings on your Mac.
2. Select Keyboard in the sidebar.
3. Here, you’ll find options for Keyboard Shortcuts, Text Replacements, and languages. Select the option you need, depending on how you want your keyboard set up.
4. For other settings not shown here, click the Set Up Keyboard button at the bottom of the window.

Important: 

 

Depending on the keyboard, you may need to install third-party software to customize certain settings, such as macro keys and RGB lighting. Many vendors, including Corsair, Logitech, and Razer, all have their own software. Try these if you find that things like your Mac volume buttons aren’t working.

How to pair the wireless keyboard to Mac

Pairing a wireless external keyboard to your Mac requires a little more work than using a wired keyboard, but it should still be fairly simple. All you have to do is:

1. Enable Bluetooth on your Mac
2. Turn on the keyboard
3. Connect the keyboard to the device
4. Set up a Bluetooth keyboard

1. Enable Bluetooth on your Mac

Before trying to connect or pair your keyboard with your Mac, you’ll need to ensure Bluetooth connectivity is enabled. Follow these steps:

1. Click the Control Center button in your Mac’s menu bar.
2. If Bluetooth isn’t already enabled, click Bluetooth.
3. Click the toggle to turn Bluetooth on.

2. Turn on the keyboard

Next, turn on your Bluetooth keyboard. It should have a power button or switch somewhere—usually on its side, its top edge, or on its bottom. Every keyboard manufacturer uses a different design, so we recommend you consult your user manual or Google your keyboard model if you can’t find it.

Once the keyboard is turned on, you’ll need to enter pairing mode. Again, the process for this varies depending on its make and model, so you’ll need to check the manual or quick start guide. Some keyboards will enter pairing mode automatically the first time you turn them on.

3. Connect the keyboard to the device

With your keyboard in pairing mode, it’s time to connect it to your Mac, like so:

1. Open System Settings, then select Bluetooth in the sidebar.
2. Wait for your keyboard to appear under Nearby Devices, then select it.
3. When prompted, type the code that appears on the screen on your keyboard, then press Enter.
4. After a few seconds, your keyboard should be paired with your Mac and ready to use.

4. Set up a Bluetooth keyboard

Now that your Bluetooth keyboard is connected, you may want to customize certain settings, such as your keyboard shortcuts on Mac. You can do this within System Settings by following these steps:

1. Open System Settings, then click Bluetooth.
2. Use the Keyboard Shortcuts, Text Replacements, and languages options to customize your keyboard to your liking. For more options, click Set Up Keyboard.

As noted above, you may need to download a third-party app to customize some keyboard features, such as RGB lighting, different profiles, or custom shortcut keys. Many manufacturers make their own keyboard software for Mac, so research if this is required if your keyboard isn’t working on MacBook as intended.

Note from our experts: 

 

If you’re unable to connect a keyboard to your Mac after following these steps, don’t worry—it’s likely just strange behavior on macOS, or with the keyboard itself. Before you return your board for a replacement, why not reach out to MacKeeper’s Premium Services for support? Our experts can show you how to run diagnostics on Mac and fix almost any problem you come across. Try this:

1. Open MacKeeper, then select Premium Services in the sidebar.
2. Click the Chat Now button to connect quickly to an expert.
3. Describe the issue you’re facing to get all the help you need.

How to connect Magic Keyboard to Mac

Connecting a Magic Keyboard to a Mac is easier than connecting a third-party Bluetooth keyboard. Simply follow these steps:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your Mac
2. Connect the Magic Keyboard using a USB-C to Lightning cable
3. Enable Magic Keyboard
4. Connect the keyboard to the Mac
5. Disconnect the cable to continue using the keyboard wirelessly

1. Turn on Bluetooth on your Mac

First, ensure Bluetooth connectivity is enabled on your Mac, like so:

1. Click the Control Center icon in the menu bar.
2. If it’s not already enabled, select Bluetooth.
3. Use the toggle to enable Bluetooth.

2. Connect the Magic Keyboard using a USB-C to Lightning cable

Now connect your Magic Keyboard to your Mac using the USB-C to Lightning cable that came with the device. If you don’t have the original cable, any Lightning cable will work, though you may need an adapter or a hub if it’s a USB-A to Lightning cable, and you have a modern MacBook Air or MacBook Pro.

3. Enable Magic Keyboard

Enable your Magic Keyboard by turning it on with the switch on the top-right edge of the device. You’ll know when it’s on because the switch will be green.

4. Connect the keyboard to the Mac

Wait for your Magic Keyboard to pair with your Mac. Connecting both devices with a cable negates the need to pair them manually, like you would with a third-party Bluetooth keyboard.

5. Disconnect the cable to continue using the keyboard wirelessly

When you receive a notification that confirms both devices are paired, you can remove the Lightning cable connecting your Magic Keyboard to your Mac and continue to use the keyboard wirelessly.

Conclusion

No matter what kind of keyboard you might want to use with your Mac, the setup process shouldn’t be difficult. Wired devices tend to be easier to connect and more reliable. However, macOS will happily pair and work well with almost any Bluetooth keyboard on the market—even those designed for Windows.

If you can’t get your keyboard to work on a Mac after following the steps above, use the Premium Services feature inside MacKeeper to get help from an experienced professional. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we’ll help you overcome any problem with your hardware and software.