Which desktop Macs can use Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID?

Apple's Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is included with purchases of the M1 iMac or can be purchased separately — but only certain Macs are compatible.

When the M1 iMac debuts in April 2021, Apple's understated Magic Keyboard gets a new trick — biometric unlocking with Touch ID — but which Macs can pair it with the keyboard? Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is included with your M1 iMac purchase in a signature color that matches the all-in-one. At first, this was the only way users could keep their hands on the keyboard. However, it soon made its way to the Apple Store as a standalone accessory.

Wirelessly transmitting biometric authentication via Touch ID is not easy and must be used with certain Macs for full functionality. It can be used as a standard Bluetooth keyboard with any device, but certain requirements must be met to use Touch ID. Apple says Magic Keyboard with Touch ID will work with any Apple Silicon-toting Mac running macOS Bug Sur 11.4 or later. Right now this is just a handful of desktops, but going forward, Magic Keyboard with Touch ID will be available on all new Macs released. Anyone who still drives an Intel Mac every day should look for the original Magic Keyboard, $99, but there's no Touch ID support.

The Full List Of Supported Apple Silicon Macs

Apple has transitioned the base-model iMac and base-model Mac mini to Apple Silicon with the M1 variant, so both versions can be used with the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID. The company also created a new desktop Mac Studio, which is also compatible with the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is more useful for desktop Macs, since MacBooks already have a Touch ID sensor built in. But the accessory still works with Apple Silicon MacBook. These include the M1 and M2 13-inch MacBook Pro, 14-inch MacBook Pro, 16-inch MacBook Pro, and the M1 and M2 MacBooks Air.

There are two versions of the keyboard available: standard Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and number pad. The standard Magic Keyboard with Touch ID has only white keys and costs $149. The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Number Pad can be configured with white or black keys, but costs $20 more. The White Keys Edition retails for $179, while the Black Keys Edition retails for $199.

Apple's line of Magic Keyboards aims to mimic thin and A low-profile keyboard found on the company's MacBooks. For users who know and love MacBook keyboards, Magic Keyboard will not disappoint them. Adding Touch ID costs extra, but users are paying for convenience when they buy a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID.

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