If you have the Mac version they no longer include the Unifying Receiver. So if you buy the Mac version do yourself a favor and spend $10 on the receiver. Rock solid connection. The receiver is a tiny USB plug that I keep plugged into my OWC dock USB 2 port so it is not taking any space away from the USB 3 or C ports.
The receiver supports multiple devices, so my MX Master 3 is also connected to it.
The Mini for Mac version has never been bundled with the USB receiver. The full-sized Mac model has included the receiver in the box, and if that's no longer the case, it is a more recent development. Logitech's site still claims it does, at least for the U.S. model 920-009552.
But it is a good point to note, since Logitech's product managers do like to play such omission games, which sometimes gives one version a better value proposition, with only minor, and sometimes even no other differences in the hardware.
I connect the MX Keys via Bluetooth and don't have an issue entering my password at startup. It's a well built keyboard with slightly better feeling keys than the Magic Keyboard.
Due to the way Mac OS has loaded components during boot, BT compatibility has been an issue for third party peripherals when FileVault is enabled. It has been discussed time and again,
here,
here, and
here, for example, with many more to be found.
The issue has been so common in fact, that Logitech felt the need to include this disclaimer on the MXK product page as a "feature," as well as in the FAQs, and
on the product packaging itself.
ATTENTION: FILEVAULT
FileVault is an encryption system available on some Mac computers. When enabled, it might prevent Bluetooth® devices from connecting with your computer if you have not yet logged in. If you have FileVault enabled, we recommend using the provided USB receiver to use your keyboard.
Bluetooth mouse or keyboard not recognized after reboot on macOS (Intel-based Mac) - FileVault
If your Bluetooth mouse or keyboard does not reconnect after a reboot at the login screen and only reconnects after the login, this might be related to FileVault encryption.
When FileVault is enabled, Bluetooth mice and keyboards will only re-connect after login.
Potential solutions:
- If your Logitech device came with a USB receiver, using it will solve the issue.
- Use your MacBook keyboard and trackpad to login.
- Use a USB keyboard or mouse to login.
Note: This issue is fixed from macOS 12.3 or later on M1. Users with an older version might still experience it.
The fact that you, or others, say that you have not experienced any issues, without providing any context, does not preclude the possibility that it does occur for others, with enough frequency to warrant the steps that Logitech has taken to notify users and make its recommendations. It is even more acute for those who purchase a model that does not include the USB receiver in the box, leaving the user with only one of the recommended options, to disable FileVault, unless they make a separate purchase.
While, in hindsight, the decision to abbreviate FileVault to FV did hamper clarity, none of what was said in the earlier post was false, and Logitech has validated the speculation that more recent versions of Mac OS do work differently and are able to avoid the issue.
