If Touch ID on your Magic Keyboard isn’t working, check the basics first: Touch ID on the Magic Keyboard only works with Macs with Apple silicon (M1 or newer), and the keyboard has to be paired with your Mac. Connect the keyboard to the Mac with its USB-C (or Lightning) cable to pair it securely, then go to System Settings > Touch ID & Password and add a fingerprint. Also remember that after a restart, macOS always asks for your password once before Touch ID works.
Fix 1: Make sure your Mac is supported
Click the Apple menu > About This Mac. If it lists a Chip like Apple M1, M2, M3, or M4, Touch ID on the keyboard is supported. On Intel Macs, the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID works as a regular keyboard, but Touch ID doesn’t.
Fix 2: Pair the keyboard with a cable
- Connect the keyboard to your Mac with a USB-C to USB-C (or Lightning to USB-C) cable.
- Wait a few seconds for it to pair, then unplug it if you like.
- Check System Settings > Bluetooth to confirm the keyboard shows as connected.
Pairing with a cable creates the secure connection Touch ID needs. If the keyboard was paired to another Mac, pairing it with a cable moves it to yours.
Fix 3: Add or re-add your fingerprint
- Open System Settings > Touch ID & Password.
- Remove the old fingerprint by hovering over it and clicking the X, if it’s unreliable.
- Click Add Fingerprint, enter your password, and follow the prompts, lifting and repositioning your finger.
- Make sure the options you want, like Use Touch ID to unlock your Mac, are turned on.
Fix 4: Clean your finger and the sensor
Wipe the Touch ID button with a soft, lint-free cloth, and make sure your finger is clean and dry. Wet, oily, or very dry fingers can stop the sensor from reading your fingerprint.
Fix 5: Know when Touch ID asks for a password
macOS requires your password instead of Touch ID after a restart, after five failed fingerprint attempts, after 48 hours without unlocking, and when changing some settings. This is normal security behavior, not a fault.
Fix 6: Re-pair and update
- Go to System Settings > Bluetooth, click the i next to the keyboard, and click Forget This Device.
- Reconnect the keyboard with a cable to pair it again.
- Install macOS updates in System Settings > General > Software Update. Keyboard firmware updates install through macOS while the keyboard is connected.
- Charge the keyboard fully with the cable.
Still not working?
- Test with a different user account on the Mac to see whether the problem is tied to your account.
- Restart your Mac and try again after entering your password.
- If the Touch ID button doesn’t respond at all, contact Apple Support, since the sensor may need service.
Related: Fix keyboard delay in Windows 11.
Related: Verify that an Apple product is genuine.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Touch ID on my Magic Keyboard with an iPad?
No. iPads don’t support Touch ID through the Magic Keyboard for Mac. The keyboard works for typing only.
How many fingerprints can I add?
Up to five per Mac, and up to three per user account.
Does Touch ID work when the keyboard is on Bluetooth?
Yes. Once it’s paired securely with a cable, Touch ID works wirelessly.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.