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mdwsta4

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 23, 2007
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I pre-ordered a new M1 MacMini and this will be my first ever desktop after using Apple laptops for nearly 20 years. That got me to thinking since there’s not a built in keyboard/trackpad, how do I get it set up? I’ve searched the forums and google, but seem to only find one answer; wired devices.

Having used Magic keyboards/mice for over a decade, I transitioned to the Logitech MX Keys and MX3 mouse during the start of quarantine since I now had my work laptop and didn’t like having two sets of keyboards/mice cluttering my desk. Apparently neither of these devices can connect via USB-C; that just charges them. I have no other spare peripherals (sold them all to reduce clutter).

Perhaps the new MM will be different, but is the only option to buy a wired keyboard/mouse? At least for the initial setup. I’d return them afterward because I would never use them again. Any suggestions/tips would be helpful. Thank you!
 
Oddly, I was just chatting with someone else, on another thread about this.
Might want to look into Logitech (MX Keys keyboard, and an MX Master mouse)...

 
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Sorry I don’t understand the problem?
Have they really dropped support for the mouse to connect over Bluetooth or by unifying receiver in usb A?
 
The MX Keys supports Bluetooth. If the Mac detects no keyboard or mouse connected. It should prompt you to pair them. Even if you can't login it'll prompt for you to reboot (power button) then it goes into a pairing mode as I recall. I forget what the computer will say but something will pop up telling you the next step to take to start pairing when it detects no input devices.

On the Logitech end. You'll just need to put the keyboard into pairing mode.

Same with the mouse.

Hopefully, this is enough to get you started. If worse comes to worse. Get some junk wireless keyboard and mouse combo off Amazon (not bluetooth) and a USB A to C adapter. Use those to get the Logitechs paired then keep the junk ones for backup. It never hurts to have a spare keyboard and mouse.
 
Oddly, I was just chatting with someone else, on another thread about this.
Might want to look into Logitech (MX Keys keyboard, and an MX Master mouse)...


Not sure if you’re saying that you should look into MX Keys, or I should. As stated in my post, I already have them.

Sorry I don’t understand the problem?
Have they really dropped support for the mouse to connect over Bluetooth or by unifying receiver in usb A?

I think the problem is pretty clear? With a laptop you have a built in keyboard/trackpad to set the computer up the moment you power it up. With a Mac mini (or I suppose any desktop) all peripherals are separate. So does the Mac Mini automatically pair with any BT devices within range? If not, how do you pair them with the computer if you have no form of input

The MX Keys supports Bluetooth. If the Mac detects no keyboard or mouse connected. It should prompt you to pair them. Even if you can't login it'll prompt for you to reboot (power button) then it goes into a pairing mode as I recall. I forget what the computer will say but something will pop up telling you the next step to take to start pairing when it detects no input devices.

On the Logitech end. You'll just need to put the keyboard into pairing mode.

Same with the mouse.

Hopefully, this is enough to get you started. If worse comes to worse. Get some junk wireless keyboard and mouse combo off Amazon (not bluetooth) and a USB A to C adapter. Use those to get the Logitechs paired then keep the junk ones for backup. It never hurts to have a spare keyboard and mouse.

okay, so the Mac mini should automatically pair with the keyboard and mouse when I first power up the machine and have the peripherals in pairing mode. This is what I wasn’t sure about. Thank you. Every other device usually requires you to select the device to pair it. Obviously that’s easy with a laptop when you already have a trackpad.
 
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From what I recall, in order to use a non-Apple bluetooth keyboard/mouse during setup, you will need to use the Logitech usb receiver.

After setup, you can pair your Logitech MX stuff via bluetooth.

But perhaps Apple changed something but I doubt it.
 
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The Mac mini M1 has normal USB ports too. Or you buy an USB-C to normal USB adapter (or hub)...

Anyway can connect any USB devices (the wireless ones too! you just need the right dongle, if they are not bluetooth devices) you like. Even the cheapesst keyboard and mouse should work.
 
I have the Logi MX Keys (with numberpad) and it's a wonderful keyboard for me, works with Windows PC, iPadOS and my work laptop.

Switching devices with a 1 button press, charging with USB to USB-C (MX Keys) and either the Logi dongle thingy or bluetooth. great battery life too. Each his own, but I would buy it again, if I needed a new keyboard.
 
MacConfucious say:
Any Mac user who owns wireless peripherals only, could be left hangin' ...
 
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New MM is scheduled to arrive on Friday so we'll see if my wireless stuff works straight out of the box. If not, I ordered a cheap keyboard/mouse off Amazon as a backup
 
Wow I’m glad I found this. Here is an article that claims you need a wired mouse and keyboard upon set-up of the Mac Mini. I have Logitech keyboard and mouse, both BT. This is so very odd if the Mini doesn’t kick into looking for BT devices during set-up. I hope it does. I do have a wired keyboard, but I’ll have to search for a mouse. I may have an ancient Apple round puck mouse.

 
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I got it going with a wired keyboard and mouse, I've now connected a magic keyboard and trackpad. The trackpad is terrible, jumpy, freezing etc. unusable.

EDIT: A reboot seems to have fixed it.
 
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