The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, first introduced with the M1 iMac, is a versatile accessory that can enhance your typing experience on various Apple devices. However, it's important to note that while this keyboard can be paired with an iPad or iPad Pro, the Touch ID feature is not compatible with these devices. This article will guide you through the process of connecting a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID to your iPad and explain why the Touch ID feature is exclusive to M1 Macs.
Connecting the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID to Your iPad
The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is an updated version of the original Magic Keyboard, featuring a Touch ID button for added convenience. While this keyboard is fully compatible with all M1 Macs, it can also be paired with your iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro. However, the Touch ID feature is only functional with M1 Macs and will not work with any iPad model, including the M1 iPad Pro.
Here are the steps to connect a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID to an iPad:
- Turn on your Magic Keyboard by flipping the power switch.
- Open Settings on your iPad, and tap Bluetooth.
- Tap Magic Keyboard in the OTHER DEVICES section.
- If Bluetooth is off, tap the toggle and wait for your iPad to discover the keyboard.
- When the Magic Keyboard moves to the MY DEVICES section, it’s ready to use.
Disconnecting the Magic Keyboard from Your iPad
You can use your Magic Keyboard with multiple devices by manually pairing each time you want to switch. Alternatively, you can first pair it to your iPad, then plug it into your Mac with a Lightning cable. It will automatically connect to your Mac, and you can then unplug the cable. If you turn off Bluetooth on your iPad, you can avoid any potential conflicts from using this trick to use a Magic keyboard with multiple devices without manually pairing each time.
Here’s how to disconnect a Magic Keyboard from an iPad:
- Open Settings, and tap Bluetooth.
- Tap the info (i) icon that’s located to the right of the Magic Keyboard entry in the MY DEVICES section.
- Tap Forget This Device.
- If you select Disconnect, the keyboard will only disconnect temporarily. It will reconnect automatically later.
- Tap Forget Device.
Why Doesn’t the Magic Keyboard Touch ID Feature Work With iPads?
The Touch ID feature of the Magic Keyboard is designed exclusively for M1 Macs. When connected to any other device, the Touch ID button is not enabled. This means it can’t provide input to the Touch ID feature on any iPad that has a built-in fingerprint sensor, and it doesn’t add Touch ID to the M1 iPad Pro that lacks a fingerprint sensor.
While the M1 iPad Pro doesn’t support Touch ID, even with the Magic Keyboard connected, it does include the faster and more secure Face ID.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you're unable to pair your Magic Keyboard to your iPad, it may be because the keyboard is already paired with another device. In this case, you'll need to unpair the Magic Keyboard before attempting to pair it with your iPad. If the issue is connectivity-related, try ensuring Bluetooth is on and restarting both devices. Also, check that your iPad is up-to-date with the latest software by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update.
In conclusion, while the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID can be paired with an iPad, the Touch ID feature is only compatible with M1 Macs. However, the keyboard still offers a comfortable typing experience for iPad users, even without the Touch ID functionality.
