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

[kk200]

Can this keyboard be paired with an iPad pro? Or even an iPhone?

 

[Neberheim]

I would think that Apple is waiting to sell the keyboard separately until they have finished transitioning the consumer-oriented computers away from Intel. You just know that people would buy an Intel Mac and TouchID keyboard and then be pissed that they aren’t compatible.

 

[gsurf123]

I will be ordering two of the model with the numeric keypad as soon as they are available. What a game changer it will be for me as I have a second monitor and keyboard and rarely use my MacBook Pro's screen.

Has anyone tried to order it as a replacement part? Consider the person who bought the basic keyboard, but decided they wanted the numeric one.

 

[MvdM]

I expected the keyboard to be paired to the iMac. Just like iPhones. Only works with the original fingerprint reader or one that is replaced by Apple. Keyboard defective, replace or repair iMac.

 

[SegNerd]

Can this keyboard be paired with an iPad pro? Or even an iPhone?

You can use it for typing but TouchID won’t work.

 

[G5isAlive]

this isn't a ps5. its a keyboard

Someone wasn't paying attention to the original release of the iMac Pro with it's new line of space gray accessories. Those too were not available originally for separate purchase and people DID post and get $500 for the keyboard on eBay. Never underestimate the ability to separate an enthusiast from his/her money.

 

[x-evil-x]

Someone wasn't paying attention to the original release of the iMac Pro with it's new line of space gray accessories. Those too were not available originally for separate purchase and people DID post and get $500 for the keyboard on eBay. Never underestimate the ability to separate an enthusiast from his/her money.

Vaguely remember that. I guess that is true then. Till they start selling them in a year.

 

[kk200]

You can use it for typing but TouchID won’t work.

Said， otherwise it might be a "perfect" touchid solution for iphone

 

[SpaceN64]

tbh I would like to buy this keyboard alone, would definitely use it with mine if I was lazy

 

[lopoz]

Could I use this keyboard with multiple devices at the same time? As in: can I pair it with my MBP and my Windows PC and switch between them?

 

[g35]

I thought part of the security of Touch ID was that the fingerprint never left the Secure Enclave? If this keyboard is sending the fingerprint to the laptop for verification, isn’t that a major change to the security of this process?

 

[SegNerd]

I thought part of the security of Touch ID was that the fingerprint never left the Secure Enclave? If this keyboard is wirelessly sending the fingerprint to the laptop for verification, isn’t that a major change to the security of this process?

Why is it any different if the fingerprint is transmitted via a wire or via a wireless signal? It is still securely encrypted either way. I don’t think any system is 100% foolproof, but I don’t see why this introduces any significant additional risk.

 

[g35]

Why is it any different if the fingerprint is transmitted via a wire or via a wireless signal? It is still securely encrypted either way. I don’t think any system is 100% foolproof, but I don’t see why this introduces any significant additional risk.

The point wasn’t that it’s wireless, rather that it’s out of the Secure Enclave at all, which I understood to be the centerpiece of apple’s argument for its security: that it sends a simple yes/no to the rest of the device that biometrics have been authenticated and no other information ever leaves it

 

[Chiromac81]

Why can't I use this with my 2018 Mac mini??

 

[SegNerd]

Could I use this keyboard with multiple devices at the same time? As in: can I pair it with my MBP and my Windows PC and switch between them?

MacRumors has said it will only pair to one computer.

 

[SegNerd]

Why can't I use this with my 2018 Mac mini??

The TouchID won’t work because there is no Secure Enclave.

 

[SegNerd]

The point wasn’t that it’s wireless, rather that it’s out of the Secure Enclave at all, which I understood to be the centerpiece of apple’s argument for its security: that it sends a simple yes/no to the rest of the device that biometrics have been authenticated and no other information ever leaves it

No, the point is that you don’t seem to be understanding that the fingerprint sensor and the Secure Enclave are separate components. There is always going to be some form of data transmission.

 

[decipherkl]

Does this mean that each member of the same household will need their own keyboard?

 

[Chiromac81]

The TouchID won’t work because there is no Secure Enclave.

What about the T2 chip?? I thought that was super secure

 

[SegNerd]

Does this mean that each member of the same household will need their own keyboard?

Your Mac can hold up to 5 fingerprints with a maximum of 3 per user. Your Mac can’t tell if those 5 fingers are connected to different people.

Use Touch ID on Mac

Set up Touch ID to unlock your Mac and purchase items, and to troubleshoot problems with your fingerprint.

support.apple.com

Adding more keyboards wouldn’t work because the info is stored in the Secure Enclave.

 

[SegNerd]

What about the T2 chip?? I thought that was super secure

I would guess the T2 chip in your computer was never designed to store fingerprints.

 

[Chiromac81]

I would guess the T2 chip in your computer was never designed to store fingerprints.

Doubtful it can't be added. More than likely it's an excuse for Apple to get people to upgrade

 

[SegNerd]

Look, this is the same argument someone has every time a new feature is introduced.


Apple: “New feature on new hardware!”


Someone: “Couldn’t you jury-rig it to work on my old hardware?”


Maybe. I don’t know. I don’t have access to Apple’s internal documentation. But Apple said they’re not doing it, and they have every right to say that because they never promised they would do it.

 

[Chiromac81]

You are drinking the cool-aid bro

 

[decipherkl]

Your Mac can hold up to 5 fingerprints with a maximum of 3 per user. Your Mac can’t tell if those 5 fingers are connected to different people.

Use Touch ID on Mac

Set up Touch ID to unlock your Mac and purchase items, and to troubleshoot problems with your fingerprint.

support.apple.com

Adding more keyboards wouldn’t work because the info is stored in the Secure Enclave.

Looks like they've to improve this further especially when there're more users with different login accounts on the iMac.