Best way to switch Magic keyboard and trackpad between Macs

[croco_dile]

I have always been using the Apple magic keyboard and trackpad. I know they do not support multiple devices. but I still think there must be an easier way to switch them between two MBP running the latest macOS, and this is with the black keyboard (with touchID) and black trackpad released only recently.

I thought I should be able to switch them like how I switch my AirPods - simply select them via Bluetooth on the mac I wish to use them with. But no... it doesn't work, the bluetooth connection simply times out.

I then tried, to put Mac 1 to sleep, and then select the devices on Mac 2. Bluetooth still times out.
I then tried, to put Mac 1 to sleep, turn off the devices, wait 10 seconds, turn them back on, and then select the devices on Mac 2. Still didn't work

The only way I have found to be working, consistently, is for me to:
1. turn the devices off
2. remove the devices from Bluetooth settings on the Mac 2
3. turn the devices on
4. wait for the devices to show up as new devices under Bluetooth, and then connect

and when I want to use them on Mac 1, I have to repeat the same 4 steps, but on Mac 1.

I hope I am doing something wrong and hope someone can shed some lights!

 

[haruhiko]

Attach a lightning cable to each of your macs and plug the keyboard and track pad into the desired Mac when switching devices😛

 

[croco_dile]

I did actually try that method before as well, and had some issues.

But I just tried it again, and it's worked flawlessly at least with the new keyboard/trackpad. It's much better than whatever I was doing. Thanks!

I so wish did two things with their devices:
1. USB C charging
2. Multi-device support

 

[Sarah_Baker]

I found a great app for that called Magic Switch. It supports Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad & Magic Mouse. It works by having an icon sit at the top menu bar on each Mac. You click on either icons and it disconnects & connects the device from one machine to the other. The cool thing is you don't need to have the same Apple ID on both machines to use it. You only need to install it on both and voila. I personally use it for my work MBP and my personal MBP and it just makes it easier and cleaner instead of using a cable every time.

 

[Wyvernspirit]

I found a great app for that called Magic Switch. It supports Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad & Magic Mouse. It works by having an icon sit at the top menu bar on each Mac. You click on either icons and it disconnects & connects the device from one machine to the other. The cool thing is you don't need to have the same Apple ID on both machines to use it. You only need to install it on both and voila. I personally use it for my work MBP and my personal MBP and it just makes it easier and cleaner instead of using a cable every time.

Unfortunately that software requires MacOS 12.3 or newer. While my main device is on the current MacOS, my other device is on Mojave, so the software sadly doesnt work for me.

 

[jagooch]

Apple needs to copy Logitech MX keyboard and mouse. They can pair with 3 devices and each has a button on the device to let you switch it between computers.

 

[Chris60549]

Really makes you wonder why your Airpods switch perfectly between devices but Magic Keyboard and Trackpad can't even handle two.

 

[A4orce84]

Any update on this issue? I have a Work Mac and Personal Mac, but trying to share the same Magic Trackpad.

 

[MacGizmo]

Any update on this issue?

Along with what Sarah_Baker said above, you could also go with a hardware KVM switch... but that's kind of a major overkill.