Can't switch off wireless keyboard, can't switch off bluetooth

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Level 1

21 points

Can't switch off wireless keyboard, can't switch off bluetooth

I'm wondering how I can turn off my Apple wireless keyboard without having to remove the batteries. I want to carry it in my laptop bag without keys getting accidentally pressed, waking my computer, and deleting all my email (as happened this morning).

Unfortunately, there is no off switch on the keyboard like the Magic mouse. Also, if I disable Bluetooth, I cannot re-enable it without restarting (many other users have reported this problem).

Any thoughts?

 MacBook Pro 17" 2GB, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 320GB 7200rpm

Posted on Mar 19, 2010 8:09 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

William-Boyd-Jr

Level 6

10,581 points

Mar 24, 2010 7:58 AM in response to DrewUK

DrewUK wrote:
If you have the aluminium wireless keyboard press and hold the power button for 2 seconds. A "keyboard off" message will appear on your screen

It's too bad Apple didn't bother to mention that procedure in the manual for the keyboard.

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Answer 2

DrewUK

Level 2

460 points

Mar 24, 2010 2:00 AM in response to ksattic

If you have the aluminium wireless keyboard press and hold the power button for 2 seconds. A "keyboard off" message will appear on your screen and your good to go.

I have just tried this and once powered off this way it does not turn on with any accidental key presses.

Drew 🙂

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Answer 3

Mar 19, 2010 2:41 PM in response to ksattic

ksattic wrote:
Unfortunately, there is no off switch on the keyboard

What keyboard do you have? According to this Apple keyboard manual

http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/Apple_Wireless_Keyboard_2009UG.pdf

on page 4, there's a switch on the side of the keyboard.

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Answer 4

Mar 23, 2010 7:43 PM in response to ksattic

ksattic wrote:
Thanks for the reply, but the keyboard turns on automatically when a key is pressed, which is the problem. 😟

I suppose that's supposed to make it more "user friendly". That's quite a change from Apple's older wireless keyboards, which had a slide switch to control power.

Would it be too drastic to remove the batteries when you're transporting it?

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Answer 5

ksattic Author

Level 1

21 points

Mar 23, 2010 7:18 PM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

Thanks for the reply, but the keyboard turns on automatically when a key is pressed, which is the problem. 😟

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Answer 6

R94N

Level 2

210 points

Mar 23, 2010 11:12 PM in response to William-Boyd-Jr

I guess Apple never thought of that when they designed the keyboard...looks like you'll have to just remove the batteries like William Boyd, Jr. says.

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