External Touch ID keyboard with 256GB base Neo?

[hohohong]

Can I still use the touch ID on the keyboard even if I get the base Neo?

 

[Alicia1]

Can I still use the touch ID on the keyboard even if I get the base Neo?

Base model with 256gb SSD does not come with Touch ID. If you want touch ID you have to upgrade to the 512gb model.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I'd assume if you had an external Touch ID keyboard it would work... don't know for certain though.

 

[bapegg]

Can I still use the touch ID on the keyboard even if I get the base Neo?

Are you asking about swapping the standard keyboard for one with Touch ID?

I would have to rewatch the different Neo tear down videos to see if that is possible. Apple may not have put the required hardware onto the board for the 256 GB models.

If you are asking about an external keyboard with Touch ID plugged into a USB port, then yes it will work.

 

[ivnj]

Yes 256 does not have Touch ID.

 

[hohohong]

Yes. External Apple Touch id keyboard connect via bluetooth.

 

[Adora]

Should be working even with the USB 2.0 port. I am using my iMac's TouchID keyboard as a second keyboard only for TouchID on my Mac mini connected via USB-C only. But Bluetooth also works. It also works on hubs with USB-A 2.0 ports with an old iPhone charging cable.

 

[JPack]

Mac mini without Touch ID can "add" Touch ID via Magic Keyboard, so there shouldn't be any reason why Neo would be different.

 

[hohohong]

Mac mini without Touch ID can "add" Touch ID via Magic Keyboard, so there shouldn't be any reason why Neo would be different.

What's what I thought initially. Anyone with base Neo actually used the external touch id keyboard?

 

[kitKAC]

Mac mini without Touch ID can "add" Touch ID via Magic Keyboard, so there shouldn't be any reason why Neo would be different.

Apple product page says it's compatible.

 

[conmee]

I'm actually curious about this. I'm using the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID with my 2019 Intel MBP (while waiting for my M5 Pro to arrive this week) that has Touch ID but the Magic Keyboard Touch ID does not work. Everything else about the keyboard works. I can select "Add A Fingerprint" but the Intel MBP is unable to read the Magic Keyboard Touch ID. You would think with a T2 and built-in Touch ID that the Magic Keyboard Touch ID would work also but no luck. So there's a good chance if Apple simply doesn't turn on that functionality in the non-Touch ID Neo that the Magic Keyboard Touch ID might not work. Hopefully someone can try it and report back.

 

[JPack]

Apple product page says it's compatible.

Yes, noticed that earlier. The list seems very specific, like iPad Air A14 and iPad Pro M1 isn't supported, but iPad 10 (A14) is. I just hope Apple tested both models of Neo with the keyboard.

 

[4sallypat]

I'll try this out - will report back today.

 

[sassemblyman]

The answer to this is yes, it will work just fine. You could even go so far as stripping the Touch ID out of a Magic Keyboard and sticking it to the side of the MacBook in a 3d printed case, but at that point, its worth the $100 to avoid the hassle and inconvenience.

For schools, I get it. For anyone buying this for personal use, Touch ID should be a no-brainer.