You bought an MX Keys hardware with Mac compatibility in mind, yet still having issues getting this keyboard to connect wirelessly? Well, let’s figure it out together. You are not alone!
How Does a Bluetooth Key Work?
Most Bluetooth keyboards wirelessly connect to a computer by using small USB dongles that connect to the computer. This is why, most likely, your MX Keys hardware didn’t come with such a dongle: it’s not required for Mac OS systems.
Making Sure Your PC is Compatible with Your MX Keys Keyboard
First up, make sure you are purchasing an MX Keys keyboard optimized for Mac use (it says so on the packaging).
If it is not optimized for Mac, please contact customer service about getting a full refund.
Secondly, your PC needs to have Bluetooth 4.0 support in order to properly communicate with your MX Keys keyboard wirelessly over Bluetooth. If you happen to have a PC that does not have this feature, then a USB wireless adapter can be used instead of the included Micro-USB cable (but only if the firmware version on your MX Keys is v2.3 or higher).
After you have verified that both your PC, and the MX Keys keyboard were designed for Mac compatibility, let’s get started!
How to Connect MX Keys to Mac Bluetooth
We have a side-by-side instruction on how to connect this particular hardware to MacOS. On the left, you will see the MX Keys software for Windows and on the right – its Mac counterpart.
As you can see there is no visible Bluetooth option, as if the keyboard has not been set up properly or it cannot even be detected. What you need to do, first and foremost, is to uninstall all of your current USB and Bluetooth drivers on your Mac and restart it. Once restarted install the MX Key software, don’t forget to install the keyboard manager and set up your MX Keys.
Once it’s done, you need to connect your MX Keys via USB and install the latest drivers for this hardware from the official website of Cherry . Now that you made sure that all drivers and software is working properly with MacOS, turn on Bluetooth in your computer and press the Connect button in the top right corner of your keyboard manager.
If done properly, your MX Keys should now be paired with your Mac and ready to go. Keep in mind that Bluetooth needs to stay on for as long as you use the keyboard wirelessly and that you need to do all of this every time after restarting your computer or disabling and enabling Bluetooth.
The Future of Wireless Connectivity
If you want to upgrade your MX Keys hardware and purchase a brand new model, then we have some great news for you. The latest models (MX RGB 3.0+) come equipped with bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, meaning that the wireless setup is much easier because there’s no need to install software or restart your computer.
All you need to do is turn on Bluetooth in your computer and choose the name of your keyboard from a list of available devices. So if you want to enjoy wireless freedom with your MX Keys, then make sure that you purchase the newer version!
What are the Benefits of Using a Wireless Keyboard?
- First, there are no wires or cables involved, making your setup incredibly clean.
- Secondly, Bluetooth offers better responsiveness in comparison to the wireless USB dongles used by most keyboards.
- Finally, you can take your keyboard with you and use it on any other device that supports Bluetooth 4.0 (smartphones & tablets included) – all without having to pair the keyboard to each device separately.
Issues to Keep in Mind
First, you may experience short delays or latency while typing on your Bluetooth device. Also, the batteries used by these keyboards are not removable and significantly reduce the lifespan of your product – meaning that you will need to buy replacements sooner than usual.
Still, for a wireless keyboard, the overall responsiveness is very good and a worthwhile tradeoff.
Conclusion
If you are looking for complete wireless freedom, there is no better option on the market then a keyboard designed specifically for MacOS. Get yourself an MX Key 3.0+ with Bluetooth connectivity and never worry about wires again!
On Windows, most keyboards come with a USB wireless dongle that delivers subpar responsiveness in comparison to Bluetooth devices.
If your MX Key is designed for Mac, then you will enjoy a much better wireless experience without any annoying software or compatibility issues.