Wired mini keyboard

[ashleykaryl]

I have just ordered a new i7, however I had wanted to add a wired keyboard and Apple do not sell these anymore. I have a wireless keyboard on my Mac Pro and it's fine in general usage, but pretty useless if you want recovery mode or safe mode etc, because it just doesn't work properly like a wired keyboard would for troubleshooting. Have Apple resolved this issue, so that wireless keyboards work correctly in these situations? If not, how are you dealing with these cases?

 

[CoastalOR]

I have just ordered a new i7, however I had wanted to add a wired keyboard and Apple do not sell these anymore. I have a wireless keyboard on my Mac Pro and it's fine in general usage, but pretty useless if you want recovery mode or safe mode etc, because it just doesn't work properly like a wired keyboard would for troubleshooting. Have Apple resolved this issue, so that wireless keyboards work correctly in these situations? If not, how are you dealing with these cases?

Here is a method of setting up a mini with a wireless keyboard (it might help for Recovery, but not sure). It is a good reference to have available:

Setup New Mac Mini with Wireless Keyboard

A simple walkthrough to setup your new mac mini with wireless keyboard that could save you from venting your anger at Apple Genius.

ardipradana.com

 

[ashleykaryl]

I wondered if the wireless keyboard might function like a wired one when plugged in to charge, so it fulfils the purpose when needed for recovery mode or resetting the NVRAM etc.

 

[SoaringBird]

I have an Apple Magic Keyboard. When the charging lead is plugged into the computer it acts as a wired keyboard.

 

[ashleykaryl]

I have an Apple Magic Keyboard. When the charging lead is plugged into the computer it acts as a wired keyboard.

Is that the case when entering recovery mode etc? It has never worked for me on the Mac Pro, even when plugged in. I have a magic keyboard that is coming up three years old.

 

[SoaringBird]

As far as I remember it works with recovery mode on the Mac. I am actually using it on a PC nowadays with dual boot of Linux and Windows. Having a wired keyboard allows me to get into the BIOS menu before the OS loads the Bluetooth drivers.

Just an idea, have you tried un-pairing the Bluetooth in case this is taking precedence?

The keyboard is packed away in a box somewhere at the moment. If I can find it easily, I will try it on my Mac Mini.

 

[ashleykaryl]

I just tried turning off bluetooth entirely, so that presumably affected all items and with the cable plugged in it typed normally, so perhaps that means it would work for recovery mode as well. Once or twice when I've need this the computer had gone into meltdown and I was struggling to do anything, let alone turn bluetooth on and off.

 

[SoaringBird]

I just spent a few minutes looking for my Magic Keyboard but couldn't find it. If I come across it in the next few days, I will try it on my Mac Mini.

 

[ashleykaryl]

OK thank you, though your idea about switching off the bluetooth was already helpful. I'll try it myself later to see if it works. These things are doubly tricky to test on the Mac Pro, because I have no boot up screen like in the past following the graphics card upgrade.

 

[N9JIG]

Now if they only redesign the Magic Mouse with the Lightning port in the center front where it should be so we can use it wired as well...

 

[Fishrrman]

Unicomp.
Built like a tank and will outlast the Mini (click "category" link):

Unicomp GA LLC: macOS®

 

[SoaringBird]

This may be too late to help, but just to let you know I found my Magic Keyboard and tried it on my Mac Mini. It's a Magic Keyboard (model A1644) and the Mac Mini is a late 2014 running Sierra 10.12.6.

I paired it with Bluetooth. Then I connected it to the Mini with a USB lead (with Bluetooth still enabled). Then I shutdown the computer and restarted it with SHIFT held down. It booted into safe mode successfully.

Giving it some further thought, if the boot sequence has not yet started Bluetooth when you try to enter safe mode, why would it make any difference whether the Bluetooth was enabled or not? I don't fully understand the Mac boot sequence so maybe there is a reason.

 

[ivnj]

They do not sell the wired keyboard anymore. The other option is ebay as I did few years ago.

Apple A1243 MB110LL/A Wired Keyboard for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple A1243 MB110LL/A Wired Keyboard at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Apple A1243 MB110LL/A Wired Keyboard for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple A1243 MB110LL/A Wired Keyboard at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com