To find the PIN for your Apple wireless keyboard, you need to look at the screen of the device you are pairing it with, not at the keyboard itself. The passcode is generated dynamically by your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Windows PC during Bluetooth pairing, and you must type that code on the keyboard to complete the connection. If your keyboard isn't responding, you might need lost wireless keyboard USB solutions to re-establish a wired link first.
The pin for your Apple wireless keyboard is generated by your device, not the keyboard
A common misconception is that the Apple Wireless Keyboard has a fixed, printed PIN. This is incorrect. The keyboard does not have a default or hard-coded passcode. Instead, the host device, whether a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Windows PC, generates a random numeric code and displays it on its screen. You then type that code on the keyboard and press Return or Enter. This security measure ensures that only the intended device can pair with the keyboard, preventing unauthorized access.
How to pair your Apple wireless keyboard with a Mac
To connect your Apple Wireless Keyboard to a Mac, follow these steps. The Mac will display a passcode that you must enter on the keyboard.
- Turn on the keyboard by sliding the power switch to the On position (green visible).
- On your Mac, go to the Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS) > Bluetooth.
- Ensure Bluetooth is enabled. Wait for the keyboard to appear in the list of devices.
- Click the Connect button next to the keyboard.
- A passcode will appear on your Mac's screen. Type this exact code on the Apple Wireless Keyboard.
- Press the Return key on the keyboard to confirm.
For newer Magic Keyboards, you can use a USB-C to Lightning cable for initial pairing. Connect the cable from your Mac to the keyboard's Lightning port. This automatically pairs and charges the device. After this wired setup, you can unplug the cable and use the keyboard wirelessly.
How to pair your Apple wireless keyboard with an iPhone or iPad
Pairing with an iOS device is similar. The passcode will appear on your iPhone or iPad screen, and you must type it on the keyboard.
- Turn on the keyboard.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth.
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. The keyboard should appear under "Other Devices" or "My Devices."
- Tap the keyboard's name when it appears in the list.
- A passcode will display on the iOS screen. Type this code on the Apple Wireless Keyboard.
- Press the Return key on the keyboard to complete pairing.
Note that Magic Keyboard models require iOS 9.1 or later to function properly.
How to pair your Apple wireless keyboard with a Windows PC
Apple Wireless Keyboards can also connect to Windows PCs. The process is straightforward, and the passcode appears on the Windows screen.
- Turn on the keyboard and put it in pairing mode (if it doesn't automatically enter this mode, turn it off and on again).
- On your Windows PC, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices.
- Enable Bluetooth if it is not already on.
- Click Add device (or Add Bluetooth or other device).
- Select Bluetooth from the list of device types.
- Choose your Apple Wireless Keyboard from the list of discovered devices.
- A passcode will appear on the Windows screen. Type this code on the Apple keyboard.
- Press the Enter key on the keyboard to finalize the connection.
This method works for both older Apple Wireless Keyboards and newer Magic Keyboards, as long as the PC has Bluetooth capability.
What to do if the keyboard won't connect
If the keyboard fails to pair, several troubleshooting steps can resolve the issue. First, ensure the keyboard is charged (for Magic Keyboards) or has fresh batteries (for older models). Confirm that the keyboard is in pairing mode, the green light should be blinking. If the keyboard was previously paired with another device, you must "forget" or unpair it from that device's Bluetooth settings before it can connect to a new one. On the host device, verify that Bluetooth is enabled and that the device is not already connected to another Bluetooth keyboard.
For older Apple Wireless Keyboards that lack a Lightning port, initial setup on a Mac requires a wired mouse or trackpad, or use of the Mac laptop's built-in trackpad. This is necessary because you need a pointing device to navigate the Bluetooth settings and click the Connect button before you can type the passcode on the keyboard.
If you are trying to connect the keyboard to a new device after it was used with another, the keyboard may still be bonded to the old device. Go to the old device's Bluetooth settings, find the keyboard, and select "Forget This Device." Then repeat the pairing process on the new device. This step is essential because the keyboard can only be actively paired with one device at a time.
