The new Magic Keyboard with wireless Touch ID is fully compatible with all M1 Macs

The new Magic Keyboard with wireless Touch ID that ships in the box with the company’s newly redesigned iMac all-in-one desktop is fully compatible with all M1-equipped Mac models.


STORY HIGHLIGHTS:

  • The new Magic Keyboard has Touch ID.
  • It comes bundled with higher-end iMacs.
  • It might be sold separately at a later date.
  • You must pay $50 to get it on the base iMac.
  • It works as any Bluetooth keyboard on non-Apple devices.
  • However, non-Apple devices don’t get Touch ID functionality.

Apple’s Magic Keyboard gains Touch ID

In other words, the new Magic Keyboard works with the latest redesigned iMac models powered by the Apple M1 chip, in addition to the M1-equipped 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and Mac mini that debuted last year as Apple’s first M1-powered Mac systems.

But will it work with other computers and older Macs, too?

 

According to MacRumors, if the new Magic Keyboard is used with Intel-based Macs or other Bluetooth devices, it will still function with the exception of Touch ID.

Apple offers the following Magic Keyboard versions with the new iMac:

  • Magic Keyboard: This is the standard version of the Magic Keyboard without Touch ID.
  • Magic Keyboard with Touch ID: The standard Magic Keyboard, only with Touch ID.
  • Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad: An extended version of the Magic Keyboard featuring both Touch ID and a dedicated num pad.

No matter the model, these refreshed Magic Keyboards shipping with the new iMac have a color-matched aluminum enclosure (the color-matched Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad are available, too). As a matter of fact, the new Magic Keyboards are only available with the new iMac and it’s unclear when Apple might make them available as standalone purchases.

How wireless Touch ID works

While Touch ID-enabled versions bring Apple’s fingerprint reader for the first time to the iMac, your security is not compromised. Apple says that wireless Touch ID uses a dedicated security component built into the keyboard. It wirelessly communicates directly with the Secure Enclave cryptographic component in the M1 chip. This creates what Apple calls “an encrypted channel to protect users’ fingerprint data from end to end.”

The new Magic Keyboard also has dedicated keys for the Spotlight, Dictation, Do Not Disturb and Emoji features while its non-Touch ID counterpart provides a dedicated Lock key.

Pricing and availability

The new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID ships with all new iMacs in the box without additional charge, with the exception of the baseline model that ships without it. To get the keyboard on the baseline iMac model, that’ll be a $50 upgrade for the standard Magic Keyboard and $80 for its extended counterpart for the baseline iMac configuration ($30 for other configurations). You can choose the right keyboard for you when customizing your new iMac on Apple.com.

With Touch ID, you can log in to your computer, switch between multiple users, confirm Apple Pay and App Store purchases, unlock apps that use Touch ID protection and more.