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Apple Confirms Magic Keyboard With Touch ID is Compatible With a MacBook's Touch ID Sensor

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Apr 12, 2001
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Apple today updated its Platform Security Guide with in-depth security information about the new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, the ability to unlock an iPhone with an Apple Watch while wearing a mask, and more.

touch-id-magic-keyboard-for-imac.jpg

The updated guide reveals a few interesting tidbits about the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, including that it is compatible with the built-in Touch ID sensor on recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models:
Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and built-in Touch ID sensors are compatible. If a finger that was enrolled on a built-in Mac Touch ID sensor is presented on a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID, the Secure Enclave in the Mac successfully processes the match—and vice versa.
Click to expand...
This compatibility means that, from a technical standpoint, there is nothing stopping Apple from selling the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID on a standalone basis. As we previously reported, the new Magic Keyboard is fully compatible with all M1 Macs, but Apple is currently only offering the keyboard with the new iMac unveiled last month.

Apple has made some previously iMac-exclusive accessories available to purchase separately at a later date in the past. When the iMac Pro launched in December 2017, for example, Space Gray versions of the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad were only available with the iMac Pro, but became available separately in March 2018.

The updated guide also reveals that the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID can be securely paired with only one Mac at a time, but a Mac can maintain secure pairings with up to five
different Magic Keyboard with Touch ID keyboards.

To enroll a new fingerprint, the user must physically confirm their intent to use a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID with the Mac, according to Apple. Physical intent is confirmed by pressing twice on the Mac power button when indicated by the user interface, or by successfully matching a fingerprint that had previously been enrolled with the Mac.

As for unlocking an iPhone with an Apple Watch on iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 or later, the following criteria must be met, according to Apple:
• iPhone must have been unlocked using another method at least once after the
associated Apple Watch was placed on wrist and unlocked.
• Sensors must be able to detect that the nose and mouth are covered.
• Distance measured must be 2–3 meters or less
• Apple Watch must not be in bedtime mode.
• Apple Watch or iPhone must have been unlocked recently, or Apple Watch must have
experienced physical motion indicating that the wearer is active (for example, not
asleep).
• iPhone must have been unlocked at least once in the past 6.5 hours.
• iPhone must be in a state where Face ID is allowed to perform a device unlock.
Click to expand...
The updated Platform Security Guide is available on Apple's website, with a document revision history included on page 214.

Article Link: Apple Confirms Magic Keyboard With Touch ID is Compatible With a MacBook's Touch ID Sensor
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2021/05/17/magic-keyboard-touch-id-compatibility/
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InGen

InGen

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Jun 22, 2020
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The inability to purchase this keyboard separately from Apple may spawn a black market of sorts for those who would pay a premium to get their hands on a Touch ID keyboard, from M1 iMac users who might feel tempted to sell it for a hefty profit while settling for an ordinary keyboard.
 
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RPi-AS

macrumors newbie
May 8, 2021
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I wonder if the Touch ID part of the keyboard will function with iPad. It might be possible with an update? I understand that the keyboard requires the Secure Enclave.

I'll take a look when the new iMac (first mac!) will arrive.
 
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nutmac

nutmac

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Mar 30, 2004
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Hopefully, Apple will offer Magic Keyboard with Touch ID soon enough, at least in silver to match Mac mini M1 but eventually in other colors. I hope space gray will also return in one form or another, ideally in darker shade with black keys.
 
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macintoshmac

macintoshmac

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May 13, 2010
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I am not sure if capability exists in the keyboard (a T-chip or anything else) or if that sensor on the keyboard is just a sensor, but I would appreciate a keyboard with Touch ID that could be used on MBA 2017. :p
 
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Putzytart

macrumors regular
Apr 27, 2014
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Wont be long before these are available to buy separately. For one, people who buy the new image will need them sold separately for when they break or are damaged with drink spills for example, but also Apple make a point of saying that each Mac can have up to five Touch ID keyboards paired, but this is useless information if you can't buy more than the one your Mac came with. I see that as confirmation that Apple are about to sell these separately in the short to mid term future. I suspect it will be when the next wave of Macs or prosumer Macs (eg space grey iMacs) are announced later this year, maybe as a silver and/or space grey option only..... In other words you may never be able to buy coloured like red or blue keyboard separately, only the generic apple colours
 
RedTheReader

RedTheReader

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Nov 18, 2019
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I wish that we could use them with Intel MacBooks. With the new rumors warning that it might not be until 2022 that we see an Apple Silicon 16” MacBook Pro, I think I’ll be using my Intel machine for some time to come. Can’t the T2 chip do the same authentication that the M1 does? :(
 
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SegNerd

macrumors 6502
Feb 28, 2020
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I’m sorry but, at least for now, this is a total F you to those of us who bought an M1 Mac mini. M1 laptops and iMacs come with TouchID, and non-M1 Macs can’t use TouchID. The Mac mini is the only Mac that fully supports TouchID but has no Apple-sanctioned way to get it.
 
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x-evil-x

x-evil-x

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Jul 13, 2008
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InGen said:
The inability to purchase this keyboard separately from Apple may spawn a black market of sorts for those who would pay a premium to get their hands on a Touch ID keyboard, from M1 iMac users who might feel tempted to sell it for a hefty profit while settling for an ordinary keyboard.
Click to expand...
this isn't a ps5. its a keyboard
 
D

DaveFlash

macrumors member
Nov 6, 2010
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SegNerd said:
I’m sorry but, at least for now, this is a total F you to those of us who bought an M1 Mac mini. M1 laptops and iMacs come with TouchID, and non-M1 Macs can’t use TouchID. The Mac mini is the only Mac that fully supports TouchID but has no Apple-sanctioned way to get it.
Click to expand...
not yet, but if you've read along, apple will make these available down the line, they just want them to shine with the new color iMacs first, is my guess...

I'm in the same boat as you my friend, I want the numpad version with touch id to use with my M1 macbook in closed-mode, so I also have to wait for that to be possible.
 
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