Connect WiFi using keyboard only

Question

Level 1

17 points

Connect WiFi using keyboard only

I tried to reinstall a Time Machine backup of macOS. My hard drive was deleted and will not restore from my Time Machine backup external hard drive. It gets to the succeeded screen, says the iMac will restart and then freezes and does not restart. If I restart via the power button, then the iMac goes back to macOS Utilities screen.

In order to reinstall macOS, I need a WiFi connection. I don’t have a wired network connection. I cannot reinstall macOS without internet access. You cannot connect via WiFi without cursor control to move the cursor over the WiFi icon.

Apple staff have not been able to help me because I have an Apple Magic Mouse, which is wireless and so my iMac will not connect to it in macOS Utilities, via Bluetooth. I also have a wireless Apple Trackpad, without an external port to connect to my iMac.

As Apple themselves cannot help me other than to buy a new trackpad, or borrow a wired mouse from my neighbours. Who has a wired mouse these days?

So my question is, can I use my keyboard to connect to my WiFi network?

Thanks in advance for any replies. It seems Apple has dropped the ball on my issue.

iMac 21.5″ 4K, macOS 11.3

Posted on Jun 17, 2021 10:32 AM

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Answer 1

Lyonhair Author

Level 1

17 points

Jun 17, 2021 11:46 AM in response to rkaufmann87

Thank you. I realised this immediately, but it’s a little annoying that you need a wired mouse to access WiFi control.

I just thought that Apple didn’t think this through for wireless customers. Poor planning on their part.

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Answer 2

hcsitas

Level 6

11,348 points

Jun 17, 2021 11:52 AM in response to Lyonhair

Not possible, unfortunately. Apple is advising you correctly, best to discard mouse-keyboard and replace with new. You won't regret it, money well spent. My mini 2p.

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Answer 3

Jun 17, 2021 12:06 PM in response to hcsitas

Sure it is.

Take this Logitech mouse as an example.

Plug in the little mouse transceiver to the keyboard; then plug the wired keyboard into the computer.

Voilà!

Of course, you still gotsta buy the new mouse. There's that.

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Answer 4

Jun 17, 2021 10:57 AM in response to Lyonhair

Connect your Apple Wireless Keyboard to your Mac using the included USB->Lightning cable. It will treat your cable as a wired keyboard. It also automatically pairs your keyboard (and mouse/trackpad) automatically as well, and when it's misbehaving.

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Answer 5

Jun 17, 2021 12:44 PM in response to Lyonhair

Wiping a machine and re-installing MacOS is not something most Mac users will do. As easy as it is to do it, it still requires a bit of technical expertise.

I have a cheap wired mouse from an old computer that I use only when doing exactly what you're doing. It's been a while, but I think if you connect the Apple mouse to your Mac using a supplied cable, it will still pair it even in the utilities screen with no MacOS installed. I'd need to verify it though.

A cheap wired-mouse will 100% work.

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Answer 6

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,550 points

Jun 17, 2021 10:35 AM in response to Lyonhair

Get a USB keyboard, any will work and require only a modest $20 investment. They smart to keep on hand to help troubleshoot aBluetooth connection problems.

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Answer 7

Lyonhair Author

Level 1

17 points

Jun 17, 2021 11:39 AM in response to DeeperDiver

I’m interested in how you can connect a wireless mouse with a wired keyboard. Can you tell me how that’s done? Given that I don’t have macOS installed.

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Answer 8

hcsitas

Level 6

11,348 points

Jun 17, 2021 12:10 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Bottom line, we agree. +1.

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Connect WiFi using keyboard only

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