Your device isn't recognized by your Mac
How do you get the Apple Magic keyboard to work on Windows 10 with the fn key and the correct layout? I'm using a Magic Keyboard with British English layout but none of the fn functions work such as media keys, volume, Page Up, Page Down, Home, End, Del, etc.
Follow these steps if your mouse, keyboard, or trackpad isn't recognized by your Mac.
Make sure that your wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad is turned on
This AskDifferent Question from 2011: Can you pair Mac AND iPad with same Apple Wireless Keyboard? Solves this for Apple Wireless Keyboards, but does not work for Magic Keyboards anymore. Can you pair macOS and iOS device with same Magic Keyboard and switch between them without having to set it up as new device everytime? Apple Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad (Traditional Chinese) (A1843) (A1644) MLA22LL/A on October 13, 2015, the Magic Keyboard was released for OS X El Capitan (version 10.11) and later. It has a built-in rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with a Lightning connector for charging and an on/off switch. (A1843) MQ052LL/A on June 5, 2017.
The Magic Mouse and Magic Mouse 2 have a slide switch on the bottom of the device. Slide the switch to turn on the device. On the Magic Mouse, the green LED briefly lights up. On the Magic Mouse 2, green coloring is visible beneath the switch.
The Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, and Magic Trackpad 2 have a slide switch on the back edge of the device. Slide the switch to turn on the device (green coloring becomes visible). Earlier Apple Wireless Keyboard models have a power button on the right side of the device. Press the button and you see a green LED on the top of the device, near the button.
When you turn these devices on, they appear as connected in Bluetooth preferences and in the Bluetooth menu in your menu bar. If a device doesn't appear there, make sure it's charged or replace it batteries, and make sure it's been paired with your Mac.
Make sure that your device has been set up to work with your Mac
Learn how to pair your Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, Magic Trackpad 2 and earlier models of Apple wireless devices with your Mac.
Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on
Use your Mac notebook's built-in trackpad or a USB mouse to choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on.
Refer to the table below for more information on determining the Bluetooth status. If the Bluetooth icon doesn't appear, or if the menu bar status continues to indicate that Bluetooth is off, restart your computer and then try to turn Bluetooth on again.
Bluetooth menu icon | Bluetooth status |
---|---|
Bluetooth is on, but no wireless devices are connected to the Mac. See the Make sure that your wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad is turned on section of this article. | |
Bluetooth is on and at least one wireless device is connected. | |
When this icon flashes, at least one wireless device has a low battery. Click the Bluetooth icon to identify the affected device, then recharge the device or replace its batteries. | |
Bluetooth is off. Click the Bluetooth icon using a USB mouse or built-in trackpad and select Turn Bluetooth On. | |
Bluetooth is offline or unavailable. Restart your Mac. If the Bluetooth status doesn’t change, disconnect all USB devices and restart your Mac again. |
Make sure that your devices are charged
Apple keyboard third party. Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, and Magic Trackpad 2 have built-in rechargeable batteries. You can charge these devices by connecting them to a Mac or a USB power adapter using a Lightning to USB Cable. For the fastest battery charging performance, be sure your device is switched on when connected to the Lightning to USB Cable.
To check the battery level of these devices, click the Bluetooth icon in your Mac's menu bar, then select your device by name. If the battery level of any device is low, recharge the device. If the device isn’t showing, make sure the device is turned using the steps outlined above.
Turn the device off and on
If your Apple wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad isn't recognized by your Mac after following the tips above, try turning the wireless device off, waiting a few seconds, and then turning it back on.
Your mouse or keyboard intermittently stops responding
- Click the mouse or trackpad or press a key on the keyboard to reconnect the device to the computer. It might take a moment for the device to respond.
- Check for wireless interference.
Your mouse doesn't scroll up or down or side to side
If you can't use your mouse to scroll through a web page or document, make sure that you're using the correct Multi-Touch gestures and have set up your scrolling speed preferences correctly.
Your mouse or trackpad doesn't track as expected
Apple Wireless Mouse, Magic Mouse, and Magic Mouse 2 can be used on most smooth surfaces. If tracking issues occur, try these options:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Mouse. Set the ”Tracking speed” slider to adjust how fast the pointer moves as you move the mouse.
- Try using a different surface to see if tracking improves.
- Turn the mouse over and inspect the sensor window. Use compressed air to gently clean the sensor window if dust or debris is present.
- If multiple Bluetooth wireless devices are in use nearby, try turning them off one at a time to see if the issue improves.
Learn more what to do if your trackpad isn't tracking correctly.
Your keyboard has one or more keys that don't respond
Use the Keyboard Viewer to test whether the keyboard keys are responding correctly when they are pressed.
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Keyboard.
- Click the Input Sources tab.
- Make sure that the keyboard language that you use is listed on the left side. If it's not, click the add button (+) and choose from the languages that appear.
- Select the ”Show Input menu in menu bar” checkbox.
- Click the Keyboard tab, then select ”Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar” checkbox, if present.
- From the Input menu in the menu bar, choose Show Keyboard Viewer. The Keyboard Viewer showing the keyboard layout appears on your display.
- Type the key on the keyboard that doesn’t respond and see if the corresponding key highlights on the Keyboard Viewer. If it does, that key is functioning correctly.
If you enable the Mouse Keys feature, many keys might not respond as you expect. To turn off Mouse keys, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Accessibility. Choose Mouse & Trackpad from the list on the left side, then then deselect the Enable Mouse Keys checkbox.
Apple is known for its innovations and impressive design. Tablets, laptops, desktops, and iPods made by Apple have met innovation upon innovation as they hit the marketplace and place new standards on technology.
A well-known example of this is the iPod. Although it wasn’t the first mp3 player to be made, it was the one that changed how and set the standard to how music players will work. The iPod was the first music player that allowed the creation of playlists as well as the music shuffle to spice things up a bit. It was truly ahead of its time.
However, innovation does not necessarily mean success. Innovation simply tries new and explores new concepts and ideas and this idea can either be brilliant or outright dumb. One innovation that failed is the butterfly mechanism in apple keyboards. It failed so badly that Apple switched back to its scissor mechanism in 2020.
A brief history of the Apple keyboard
The earliest release of the Apple keyboard was when Apple first released its first line of computers back in 1983. As time went on, Apple produced newer and more innovative designs of their keyboards ranging from practical to outright ridiculous!
One of their more notable keyboards was the Apple wireless keyboard introduced in 2003. The keyboard connects via Bluetooth technology and it had no need for USB ports and connectors making the keyboard ahead of its time.
The Apple Wireless keyboard was discontinued and it was replaced by its successor, the Apple Magic Keyboard. This new keyboard was a big upgrade to its predecessor as it features a new look, extended key layouts, and better compatibility with other devices.
During this time, new and trendy features were beginning to arise like laptop keyboards with backlights and keyboards with a sleeker design. Apple jumped on the bandwagon and also introduced new features on their Macbook keyboards like colorful backlights and new keyboard designs that had faster key travel.
It was here where Apple started to make their mistake. They began re-engineering the scissor mechanism and created the butterfly design. The new design was meant to reduce key travel and increase key stability. However, this created new problems that would cost them. And unlike the backlight keyboards where the problem can be fixed, the new butterfly design was too much to handle.
Apple was actually well-known for their weird keyboard layout in the history
Why are they switching back?
Blue Switches Keyboard
With the release of the 16-inc, Macbook pro 16, Apple has made some new innovations, retained some features as well as backtracked to some older features. One of the most notable backtracks was switching back from their butterfly keyboard mechanics back to the old scissor-switch or magic keyboard.
There are many speculations about why Apple made this decision. But the news brings smiles to people who loathe the butterfly keyboard while disappointing people who absolutely love the old design. Whatever the case might be, it’s still big news.
How Bad Was The Butterfly Mechanism?
The majority of the speculation on why Apple is switching back leads back to how awful the butterfly mechanism was. A lot of people were complaining and some even claimed that the butterfly keyboard was the worst product Apple ever made!
We don’t disagree because the butterfly keyboard does have a plethora of problems like:
How fragile it is
One of the major problems that customers had with butterfly keys was how easily it broke. The mechanism itself is very delicate and any hard emotions or actions can easily break it. It’s beautiful but fragile, just like a butterfly.
Low key travel
Key travel is defined as the distance between a key from full rest to full depression. The butterfly keyboard was designed to have low key travel in order to make it more convenient for the user. It backfired, causing tons of problems and making it harder for users to press the keys.
Dust Trap
It is advised that you should clean your keyboard every once in a while if you want to make it last. You should blow out dust and debris stuck between the keys with a dust vacuum or compressed air to make sure that dust doesn’t get in the way of your typing.
Sadly it’s almost impossible to do this with butterfly keyboards. Because of its low key travel, you’ll have a hard time lifting up the keys in the first place. And since the keys are very delicate, you’ll have to be extra careful when cleaning it. This inconveniences the users of the butterfly keyboard, preventing them from cleaning the keyboard completely. And if a dusty keyboard is not cleaned, it will make typing very difficult!
Jamming
Apple Magic Keyboard Review
One of the reasons why butterfly keys need constant repairs is because of jamming. The low key system doesn’t allow for extra space on the keyboard. This tight space can cause problems if something gets stuck between the keys like debris, then it will prevent the key from functioning or worse! It could permanently damage the expensive butterfly keyboard!
Was the butterfly mechanism ever good?
You’re probably thinking, why Apple decided to give us such a substandard keyboard that brings more problems than solutions? Despite all the hate it gets, the butterfly keyboard does bring something new to the table.
Faster Typing Speed
The butterfly keyboard’s low key travel was intentionally designed to make typing more convenient. What customers love about the butterfly keyboard was that your hand floats around easily, allowing you to get to the keys much faster. Additionally, since the keyboard keys are lower than usual, your fingers won’t have to do much work pushing the keys all the way.
Quieter Typing
Having low key travel doesn’t just make it easier to type but it also makes it easier for the people around you as well. The butterfly keys make less sound than the scissor mechanism allowing users to focus on their work without being distracted by the sound their keyboard makes. This feature makes for a more productive and better working environment.
Why Did Apple decide to Switch back to the
Scissor Mechanism?
Any company worth their salt knows that they have to fix their mistakes and Apple isn’t just any company. Being labeled as the “most innovative company,” Apple has had its share of innovative failures.
Cut their losses
Switching back to the older design simply shows that Apple has failed in its new innovation. Proceeding with a failed product design is bad for businesses and it’s better to cut losses now than to face more of them in the future.
Class action lawsuit
A class-action lawsuit was filed against Apple’s Macbook Pro butterfly keyboard in 2018. Apple failed to dismiss this case which shows that eventually, they’ll have to pay for damages for their faulty keyboards. Tons of people are joining the cause and it will be a big loss for Apple if their future products can also be sued.
The customers are always right
Apple has received tons of complaints from its customers since the launch of the butterfly keyboard and they’ve failed to address it. Asides from having the power to sue your company. Customers have the power to decide whether or not to buy your product. The butterfly keyboard is essentially a failed product, a product that the majority of their customers won’t buy.
Is the scissor-switch keyboard really better?
The scissor-switch functions by having two pieces of interlocking plastic serve as connectors between the key and the keyboard. It looks like a scissor when depressed hence the name, “scissor-switch”.
Apple switching back to the old design definitely shows that the scissor key is better or at least more stable than the butterfly keyboard. Although lacking in innovative features, this stability will ensure fewer customer complaints and will solve most of the issues that the butterfly keyboard brings.
What will happen in the future?
The newly released Macbook pro 16 has already replaced their keyboard with the scissor-switch. Apple has already made changes to its Macbook Pro 13 and 15. New releases of these laptops will include new scissor-switch keyboard designs to address customer concerns.
We predict that Apple will replace all butterfly keyboard designs in all of their products. This includes Macbooks and Macbook Pros. This will also ensure that they minimize damage from the class-action lawsuit that they’ll eventually have to answer for.
But knowing Apple, they’ll probably introduce another keyboard design in the near future that addresses the issues of the butterfly keyboard while keeping benefits like faster typing speed and being quiet.
They could also fix the butterfly keyboard problem by replacing the Macbook’s chassis. This new chassis could be designed to allow dust to freely enter and exit the butterfly keyboard while giving the Macbook Pro a lighter but sturdier design.
This is all speculation but one thing we know for sure is that Apple will innovate and continue to give us innovative products. Let’s just hope that they fix this mess and bounce back from it.
Final Verdict
Apple is an innovative company that has its share of both good and bad ideas. The butterfly keyboard is definitely one of their bad ideas to come out recently. It’s not surprising that Apple would want to replace their newer keyboards with the older scissor-switch design.
Cheap Keyboard Switches
Although it’s not innovative, the scissor-switch will solve most of the problems that the butterfly keyboard brought to the table. Apple doesn’t need to innovate every little thing, because the success that it brings comes with an equal amount of risk. The failure of its butterfly keyboard design is a good example of risking too much and taking innovation too far.