Pairing Keyboard First time

[s15119]

I am just about to order my new 2018 Mac Mini - I am confused how to pair a wireless keyboard and mouse for the first time. All the instructions I see have you using an existing mouse to navigate to the Bluetooth settings. Do I really need a USB mouse to set up the keyboard and mouse for first time?

 

[HuskerHarley]

I am just about to order my new 2018 Mac Mini - I am confused how to pair a wireless keyboard and mouse for the first time. All the instructions I see have you using an existing mouse to navigate to the Bluetooth settings. Do I really need a USB mouse to set up the keyboard and mouse for first time?

I'm waiting for my MM to be delivered. Never thought about the keyboard? Where are the directions located?

 

[casperes1996]

I am just about to order my new 2018 Mac Mini - I am confused how to pair a wireless keyboard and mouse for the first time. All the instructions I see have you using an existing mouse to navigate to the Bluetooth settings. Do I really need a USB mouse to set up the keyboard and mouse for first time?

I actually have no clue about third party stuff, but pretty sure Apple keyboard & mouse/trackpad will auto-connect to it if not paired with anything else, since the Mac would then be broadcasting to those devices that no input devices are connected. - But that's assumption on my end

 

[BigMcGuire]

Is this an Apple bluetooth keyboard and mouse? If so, just use a cable to connect them to the Mac and they automatically appear in the bluetooth paired devices, paired. If not Apple, then you have to put the device in pairing mode (like my Logitech K811) and then go to bluetooth devices and initiate a pairing. Sometimes with the keyboard you have to put in a code combination to the keyboard - enter the numbers then hit the enter key.

And if the 2018 Mac mini is anything like my 2011 Mac mini, yes you'll need a USB mouse/keyboard. But if Apple, just connect via cable and it automatically pairs so you won't need to.

 

[s15119]

To answer my own question, with the 2018 Mac Mini and Apple Wireless keyboard and trackpad. I simply plugged them into the Mini for a moment and they paired. Totally effortless.

 

[jbarley]

To answer my own question, with the 2018 Mac Mini and Apple Wireless keyboard and trackpad. I simply plugged them into the Mini for a moment and they paired. Totally effortless.

Just to be clear, can we assume you are referring to the new magic keyboard and the Trackpad 2?
I only ask because most BT devices don't have the ability to "simply plug in" being as they are truly wireless.

 

[s15119]

Just to be clear, can we assume you are referring to the new magic keyboard and the Trackpad 2?
I only ask because most BT devices don't have the ability to "simply plug in" being as they are truly wireless.

Yes, that is correct. Once you plug them into the computer for the first pairing, the only reason to plug them in afterwards is to charge them.

 

[F-Train]

Yes, that is correct. Once you plug them into the computer for the first pairing, the only reason to plug them in afterwards is to charge them.

There is actually one other reason, although you may not run into it. The Mac mini doesn’t chime on boot, and there’s a delay with a wireless keyboard.

If you (a) are using Boot Camp and want to get to the screen where you choose which operating system to boot into, or (b) need to get into Recovery Mode, entering the commands with your keyboard wired can prevent a hit or miss problem re registering the commands at the right time.

The foregoing is a bit pedantic, but might come in useful one day

 

[s15119]

There is actually one other reason, although you may not run into it. The Mac mini doesn’t chime on boot, and there’s a delay with a wireless keyboard.

If you (a) are using Boot Camp and want to get to the screen where you choose which operating system to boot into, or (b) need to get into Recovery Mode, entering the commands with your keyboard wired can prevent a hit or miss problem re registering the commands at the right time.

The foregoing is a bit pedantic, but might come in useful one day

Thanks for the tip!