How to Connect a Bluetooth Keyboard to Your Mac

While MacBooks have excellent built-in keyboards, working at a desk all day is often more comfortable with an external keyboard. Because modern Macs have very few USB ports, using a wireless Bluetooth keyboard (whether it is an Apple Magic Keyboard or a third-party brand like Logitech) is the best solution.

Connecting a Bluetooth keyboard to macOS only takes a few seconds.

Step 1: Put the Keyboard in Pairing Mode

Before your Mac can see the keyboard, the keyboard must be broadcasting a pairing signal.

• For Apple Magic Keyboards: Simply turn the power switch on the back edge to the ON position (you will see a green background under the switch).
• For Third-Party Keyboards: Turn the keyboard on, then press and hold the dedicated Bluetooth button (or the pairing key combination, often Fn + Bluetooth Icon) for 3 to 5 seconds until a small LED light starts flashing rapidly.

Step 2: Pair it with Your Mac

1. Click the Apple Logo in the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen.
2. Select System Settings (or “System Preferences” on older macOS versions).
3. In the left-hand sidebar, click on Bluetooth.
4. Ensure the main Bluetooth toggle switch is turned On.
5. Look under the “Other Devices” or “Devices” list at the bottom of the window. Your Mac is currently scanning the room.
6. Within a few seconds, the name of your keyboard (e.g., “Magic Keyboard” or “Logitech MX Keys”) should appear in the list.
7. Click the Connect button next to the keyboard’s name.

Step 3: Security Verification

To prevent a prankster in the next office over from connecting to your Mac and typing on your screen, macOS requires a security verification step for all keyboards.

A popup window will appear on your Mac screen displaying a random 6-digit numeric code (e.g., 849 201).

Look at your new Bluetooth keyboard (not your laptop keyboard), type those exact six numbers, and then press the Return (Enter) key.

If you typed the code correctly, the window will disappear, the keyboard will move to the “My Devices” list with a “Connected” status, and you can immediately begin typing.