M1 iMAC - Password keyboard delay

[stocklen]

Hi All

This is probably a silly question but I cant find this mentioned....

Ive had many iMacs over the years... but a few months ago I got the 24" M1 iMac with TouchID.

The issue I have is that once the machine has booted up, and you are presented with the password screen... blinking cursor and all.... NO keyboard input works for at least 5-10 seconds (it seems like an eternity).

Ive assumed this is something to do with establishing a secure connection from the Keyboard's Touch ID sensor to the iMac...

But what's weird about this is that at least show a message or something saying 'connecting TouchID please wait' instead of presenting us with a password field with flashing cursor that doesnt work.

Is this just me?

 

[PBG4 Dude]

This happens with my intel iMac too. Seems to take 3-6 taps on the keyboard before seeing a reaction in the text field. Possibly just Bluetooth connection startup. This delay also happens when I boot windows on my iMac. If I have the keyboard connected via the usb -> lightning cable, I do not see this delay.

 

[Fishrrman]

"This is probably a silly question..."

OK, here's a silly answer.
Why don't you just connect the USB cable to the keyboard, and leave it plugged in?

Does the problem occur if you do that?

 

[ucfgrad93]

I notice this as well with my Apple wired keyboard. It is aggravating at times.

 

[stocklen]

"This is probably a silly question..."

OK, here's a silly answer.
Why don't you just connect the USB cable to the keyboard, and leave it plugged in?

Does the problem occur if you do that?

here's a silly answer to your silly answer...

.... because I dont want to! I dont want a cable on my 2021 iMac - i left cabled keyboards behind many years ago!


Everyone else has confirmed my experience so im happy.


In seriousness, yes of course and thanks - a permanent cable connection will negate the need for the delay.

My point is... and now I know that its the norm... is that it is a best confusing to boot up and present you with a flashing cursor password field when at that point the keyboard isnt fully connected and ready to go. Some kind of 'please wait' message would make it a bit more transparent and not leave you thinking it was faulty or something.

Im used to it now... i just wait for 10 seconds before attempting to type.

 

[Foghorn leghorn]

This happens to both my 2020 intel iMac and M1 iMac. Gotten use to it to be honest.

 

[ucfgrad93]

In seriousness, yes of course and thanks - a permanent cable connection will negate the need for the delay.

No it doesn't. I experience this problem with an Apple wired keyboard.

 

[svish]

Hi All

This is probably a silly question but I cant find this mentioned....

Ive had many iMacs over the years... but a few months ago I got the 24" M1 iMac with TouchID.

The issue I have is that once the machine has booted up, and you are presented with the password screen... blinking cursor and all.... NO keyboard input works for at least 5-10 seconds (it seems like an eternity).

Ive assumed this is something to do with establishing a secure connection from the Keyboard's Touch ID sensor to the iMac...

But what's weird about this is that at least show a message or something saying 'connecting TouchID please wait' instead of presenting us with a password field with flashing cursor that doesnt work.

Is this just me?

Just got M1 iMac last week. Have been facing the same thing - a delay of around 5 seconds

 

[stocklen]

Just got M1 iMac last week. Have been facing the same thing - a delay of around 5 seconds

Thanks. Nice to know its not just me.

... you just work round it and wait and not start typing when you usually would... that 5 seconds can seem really long sometimes when you are in a hurry!

Very un-apple like though with a screen that just wont accept input from the keyboard for no visible reason.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Thanks. Nice to know its not just me.

... you just work round it and wait and not start typing when you usually would... that 5 seconds can seem really long sometimes when you are in a hurry!

Very un-apple like though with a screen that just wont accept input from the keyboard for no visible reason.

I have to plug my wireless keyboard into my iMac if I want to use the Option key method of selecting which OS to boot. Otherwise, it ignores my input.

 

[svish]

Thanks. Nice to know its not just me.

... you just work round it and wait and not start typing when you usually would... that 5 seconds can seem really long sometimes when you are in a hurry!

Very un-apple like though with a screen that just wont accept input from the keyboard for no visible reason.

Have had my iMac for only a week. Only a very small delay, hardly noticeable at first. It was certainly annoying for me but it became MORE of an issue when you pointed it out. Fear it will get on my nerves 😁

 

[stocklen]

Have had my iMac for only a week. Only a very small delay, hardly noticeable at first. It was certainly annoying for me but it became MORE of an issue when you pointed it out. Fear it will get on my nerves ?

haha. well I actually timed it yesterday. its 7 seconds for me.

What I don't understand....is that all my other iMacs have been connected and working in time for the login prompt...

Of course the m1 isn't.

But, IF thats to establish a secure connection for Touch ID..... WHY when at that point you cant even use Touch ID to start up as you always need to type the password first.

So, why not just make the secured connection after the password has been typed in.

 

[svish]

haha. well I actually timed it yesterday. its 7 seconds for me.

What I don't understand....is that all my other iMacs have been connected and working in time for the login prompt...

Of course the m1 isn't.

But, IF thats to establish a secure connection for Touch ID..... WHY when at that point you cant even use Touch ID to start up as you always need to type the password first.

So, why not just make the secured connection after the password has been typed in.

Yes, there is no delay on my intel based 27" iMac. It seems the keyboard will work only if there is a secure connection with M1 iMac even when TouchID is not enabled by macOS for login after booting.

Slightly irritating but the iMac with TouchID keyboard is great.

 

[yadmonkey]

My M2 Max Mac Studio with TouchID KB took more like 15 seconds before allowing input at login screen (FileVault). Yesterday I upgraded to Sonoma and it's near instant. 🤷‍♂️

 

[mapleleafer]

I've wondered about this too. My M1 iMac has a delay, but my M1 Air does not, so I've assumed the delay was a bluetooth issue and not an AS issue. Electronic communication consists of electrons and photons flying about, and they all zip along at a pretty good clip. Why the delay? I'm sure bluetooth doesn't use CRTs.