How to Use the Apple Magic Keyboard

This updated guide examines How to Use the Apple Magic Keyboard and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 3:

Using the Magic Keyboard with an iPhone or iPad

1. Turn on the Magic Keyboard. The power button is on the back edge of the keyboard on the left side. When you press it, the green light will turn on.^[1]
   • The Magic Keyboard has an internal battery that must be charged. If the keyboard doesn't turn on, use the Lightning-to-USB cable to charge it now.
2. OpenSettingson your iPad or iPhone.
3. TapBluetooth.
4. Make sure the Bluetooth switch is on. When Bluetooth is turned on, your phone or tablet will scan for Bluetooth devices and display the results.
5. TapMagic Keyboard. The keyboard is now connected and ready to use.
6. Swipe down from the top of the screen. The Notification Center will appear.^[2]
7. Scroll to the Batteries section. The battery charge level for the Magic Keyboard is listed next to 'Bluetooth UPS.'
8. Open an app you use often.
9. Press and hold a modifier key. This will show all shortcuts in the app that use this key. Try it with the following keys:
   • ?Shift
   • ?Option
   • ?Command
   • Control
10. Use?CommandandTab?to switch between apps. Here's how:^[3]
    • Press and hold?CommandandTab?together.
    • Continue holding?Commandas you tap theTab?.
    • Each time you tapTab?, the device will cycle through open apps.
11. Press and hold the keyboard power button. This will turn off the keyboard. Though the keyboard goes into sleep mode on its own, you'll probably want to turn it off if you won't be using it for a while.

Method 2of 3:

Using the Magic Keyboard with a Mac

1. Enable Bluetooth on your Mac. ^[4]
   • Click the Apple menu.
   • ClickSystem Preferences.
   • ClickBluetooth.
   • Make sure 'Show Bluetooth in menu bar' is checked.
   • If you see 'Bluetooth: On' beneath the blue Bluetooth symbol on the right, no change is necessary. Otherwise, clickTurn Bluetooth On.
2. Plug the Lightning end of the cable into the keyboard. This is the smaller end of the Lightning-to-USB cable that came with your keyboard. The port is on the back edge of the keyboard near the center.^[5]
3. Plug the USB end into the Mac. You'll find the USB port on the front or side of your notebook, or the back of a monitor.^[6]
4. Press the power button on the keyboard. It's on the back of the keyboard on the left side. The devices will pair.
   • A pop-up window will appear once the pair is successful.^[7]
5. ClickDone. The keyboard is now ready to use.
6. Try some keyboard shortcuts. macOS has many keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate the operating system:^[8]
   • ?Command+Q: Quits an app.
   • ?Command+T: Opens a new tab in your web browser.
   • ?Command+Tab?: Switches between apps.
   • ?Command+?Option+H: Hides all open apps.
   • ?Command+C: Copies selected data.
   • ?Command+V: Pastes selected data.
   • ?Command+spacebar: Opens Spotlight.
   • See https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201236 for a list of all macOS keyboard shortcuts.
7. Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. It's at the top right area of the screen and looks like a bowtie flipped on its side.
8. Hover the mouse over 'Magic Keyboard'. Now you'll see the keyboard's current battery level. Leave the cable connected until the charge reaches 100%.
   • The battery should last about a month on a single charge.^[9]
9. Press and hold the keyboard power button. This will turn off the Magic Keyboard.
   • If you don't turn the keyboard off when you're not using it, it'll eventually go into low-power mode to preserve its battery charge.
   • Turning it back on will automatically pair it the Bluetooth-enabled iOS device.

Method 3of 3:

Using the Magic Keyboard with Apple TV

1. Turn on your Apple TV. If you have a 4th generation Apple TV, you can pair it with your Magic Keyboard to make it easier to find things to watch.
2. Update to the latest version of tvOS. To use a Magic Keyboard with Apple TV (4th generation), you'll need to have tvOS 9.2 or later. Follow these steps using your Apple TV remote:^[10]
   • OpenSettings
   • SelectSystem
   • SelectSoftware Updates
   • SelectUpdate Software
   • If an update is available, select it to start the update. Otherwise, return to the home screen.
3. Press the power button on the keyboard. It's on the back on the left. When you press it, the green LED will illuminate.^[11]
   • The Magic Keyboard has an internal battery that must be charged. If the keyboard doesn't turn on, use the Lightning-to-USB cable to charge it now.
4. OpenSettingson the Apple TV.
5. SelectRemotes and Devices.
6. SelectBluetooth. The Apple TV will scan for available Bluetooth devices and list them in the results.
7. Select your keyboard from the results. The Magic Keyboard should pair instantly.
   • You will also notice a battery gauge next to the keyboard. This shows how much charge is left in the keyboard. Be sure to charge the keyboard when this gauge is low.
8. Use Apple TV keyboard shortcuts. Now that your keyboard is all set up, you can use these keyboard commands while you watch or listen to content:^[12]
   • F3: Switch between apps
   • F4: Go to the Home screen
   • F7: Rewind
   • F9: Fast forward
   • F8or spacebar: Pause/play
   • F11: Decrease volume
   • F12: Increase volume
   • Use????to navigate.
   • Press?Returnto select.
9. Press and hold the keyboard power button. This will turn off the Magic Keyboard.
   • If you don't turn the keyboard off when you're not using it, it'll eventually go into low-power mode to preserve its battery charge.