Using Magic Keyboard as a ‘wired keyboard’

Question

Level 1

5 points

Using Magic Keyboard as a ‘wired keyboard’

I just installed an OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 2T SSD in my 2015 late build 1T iMac 27” running Monterey without realizing that I apparently needed to download the necessary software to format the new drive while the old fusion drive was up and running and before the Install.

When using command-R on startup I can get an option to access my internet but my Magic Keyboard doesn’t work when I’m asked for my password. After reading some similar scenarios from the community my guess is the Mac has dropped the pairing with the Magic Kboard and is looking for low or unpowered Kboard. Is there, in effect, a way to configure my wireless MKboard to trick my Mac into thinking it’s hooking up to a low or unpowered keyboard?

I’m hoping I don’t need to get a wired board but . . .

Thanks in advance for anyone taking a crack at this

iMac 27″, macOS 12.6

Posted on Jul 14, 2023 3:48 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

dialabrain

Level 10

135,761 points

Jul 14, 2023 3:52 PM in response to jjboye

If you plug in the charging cable into the Mac and keyboard it acts as a wired keyboard.

Reply

Answer 2

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,887 points

Jul 15, 2023 6:20 AM in response to jjboye

I used my Magic Keyboard with lightning to usb connection wired when installing macOS anew

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 15, 2023 8:34 AM in response to jjboye

One of the sites I deal with is using both the rechargeable wireless extended keyboard and rechargeable magic trackpad as wired, with a slightly newer Intel iMac, and it all works.

If you got asked for a password (without previously having reset NVRAM), there's already something odd (bad NVRAM battery?) happening here, as the Wi-Fi info needed for Recovery should be stored in the NVRAM.

On the iMac 21.5" 2015 model, I'm pretty sure Apple builds the entire iMac around that pesky NVRAM battery. It's a project to get at that battery. Haven't looked at the iMac 27" 2015 internal setup, but I'd expect it's similar. BR2032 is the coin cell battery used to retain the NVRAM/PRAM settings. BR2032 is a higher-spec variant of the common CR2032 battery.

Reply

Answer 4

jjboye Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 15, 2023 9:31 AM in response to WheelieNick

I’ve done the same and it worked fine. The new SSD instal has proven to be a different story. I’ve since read that I should have installed the software from Apple that would have prepared my Mac for that type of upgrade. As I’d used the M Keyboard successfully while charging I’d assumed it would work the same way now and it actually may have so if I’d done more research before doing the install. It would have prepped the Mac with the proper software to accept the new drive. Now I’ve set myself up for an unnecessary work around. Still, it’s been a good learning experience for me.

Thanks for your reply.

Reply

Answer 5

jjboye Author

Level 1

5 points

Jul 15, 2023 6:12 AM in response to dialabrain

I’ve been using the original wireless keyboard that does fully function when plugged in for charging. In my reboot from recovery I’ve used hold command, command-R, alt, and option-command-R-P with and the keyboard does partially work when I hit the ESC key so there is some connection but not enough to allow typing. Also using a wired mouse which does work

And I’ve ordered a wired Keychron 4 board which I’m hoping will work (and includes a numbers pad) as I’ve never really been satisfied with the M Keyboard beyond its stylish appearance. I’m hoping it will allow me to get my password entered for my internet connection and get whatever software Apple offers for Recovery boots. My original mistakes aside I’m looking forward to the snappy performance that’s in store once I get this all resolved. Thanks for your input.

Reply