Pairing a mouse or keyboard with your MacBook over Bluetooth

A separate mouse or keyboard makes working at a desk much more comfortable. Pairing a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard with your MacBook takes a minute. With Apple accessories it even works with a cable. This article explains how to pair a Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad or a mouse or keyboard from another brand, and what to do when it lags.

Blue Apple repairs MacBooks in Amsterdam. If the built-in keyboard or trackpad no longer works, a separate mouse and keyboard is a good temporary solution until the repair.

Apple accessories: Magic Mouse, Keyboard and Trackpad

1. Connect the accessory to your Mac with the supplied cable (USB-C or Lightning).
2. Turn it on with the switch.
3. Wait a few seconds: it pairs automatically.
4. Unplug the cable; it now works wirelessly.

If you have no cable at hand, choose System Settings, Bluetooth, turn the accessory on and click Connect when it appears in the list.

A mouse or keyboard from another brand

1. Open System Settings and choose Bluetooth.
2. Put the mouse or keyboard in pairing mode. Often you hold a button until a light flashes; check the manual.
3. Click Connect next to the device in the list.
4. For a keyboard the Mac sometimes asks you to type a code and press Return.

Mice with their own USB receiver (a dongle) work without Bluetooth: plug the receiver into a port, via a USB-C adapter if needed.

Using a Windows keyboard

An ordinary USB or Bluetooth keyboard for Windows works fine. The first time, the Mac sometimes asks you to press a few keys so it can recognise the layout; then follow the steps on screen.

Adjusting the settings

• Mouse: in System Settings, Mouse you set the speed, scroll direction and secondary click (right-click). See right-click on a MacBook.
• Keyboard: in System Settings, Keyboard you choose the layout. A Windows keyboard has Alt and Windows in a different order; you can swap them under Modifier Keys. See the Option and Alt key.
• Scroll direction: if scrolling feels "the wrong way round", turn off Natural scrolling.

Lagging, jumping or dropping out

1. Charge the accessory or replace the batteries.
2. Remove metal objects and USB hubs between the Mac and the accessory.
3. Turn Bluetooth on the Mac off and on again.
4. Remove the device in System Settings, Bluetooth (click the info button, then Forget This Device) and pair it again.
5. Restart the Mac.

If no Bluetooth device works properly, there may be something with your MacBook's Bluetooth. Also read connecting AirPods to your MacBook.

A mouse on a glass or glossy table

Optical mice struggle with glass and very glossy surfaces; the pointer jumps or does not move. Put down a simple mouse mat, or use a trackpad. A Magic Mouse works on most surfaces, but it too has trouble on glass.

The built-in keyboard no longer works

Using a separate keyboard because the built-in one stopped working? That is fine temporarily, but do have it checked, especially if it started after a spilled drink. Liquid under the keys can attack the logic board. Read MacBook keyboard not working.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

We repair or replace the built-in keyboard and trackpad, and test Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when they falter. You hear beforehand what is needed. More on our pages about MacBook keyboard repair and MacBook trackpad repair.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID work on every Mac?

Touch ID on a separate keyboard only works with Macs with an Apple chip. Typing works on any Mac.

Can I use my mouse with two Macs?

Yes, but you have to reconnect it each time, unless the mouse has several channels.

Why does the pointer jump?

Often because of a surface that reflects poorly (glass, glossy wood), a nearly flat battery or interference.