Apple USB keyboard and MacBook Pro 2021

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Apple USB keyboard and MacBook Pro 2021

I have the USB Apple extended keyboard. I want to plug it in to my MacBook Pro 2021 using an Apple USB to USB-C Adapter. This has worked before, but it no longer works.

I've tried all three USB-C ports on my MacBook (they do sometimes seem a bit flakey and I have to plug things in a couple of times before they work!)

I've tested the USB-C to USB adapter on an external hard drive and that works.

I've tested the USB keyboard on my old Mac and that works.

So the keyboard works. And the adapter works. But they no longer work together. What's going on?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.2

Posted on Mar 11, 2022 1:45 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 12, 2022 7:53 AM in response to Sparky Marky

Sparky Marky wrote:

I have the USB Apple extended keyboard. I want to plug it in to my MacBook Pro 2021 using an Apple USB to USB-C Adapter. This has worked before, but it no longer works.

I've tried all three USB-C ports on my MacBook (they do sometimes seem a bit flakey and I have to plug things in a couple of times before they work!)

I've tested the USB-C to USB adapter on an external hard drive and that works.

I've tested the USB keyboard on my old Mac and that works.

So the keyboard works. And the adapter works. But they no longer work together. What's going on?

On the M1 if no resolve—Try a SafeBoot How to use safe mode on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Mar 13, 2022 6:00 AM in response to Sparky Marky

Sounds more like the USB-A to USB-C dongle adapter isn't entirely compatible for all use cases, the monitor USB hub sort of proves it. Is the monitor Thunderbolt 3/4 USB-C with charging capabilities of say 90W?

The problem is primarily that USB-C is a connector and nothing more. It comes down to the communications protocols running over the USB-C cable. Here is a fantastic article that deep dives into the standards and how this all works and why many people run into various problems:

USBefuddled: Untangling the Rat’s Nest of USB-C Standards and Cables

https://tidbits.com/2021/12/03/usbefuddled-untangling-the-rats-nest-of-usb-c-standards-and-cables/

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Answer 3

Sparky Marky Author

Level 1

65 points

Mar 13, 2022 5:40 AM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks for the suggestion. Tried that and it still doesn't work. I've ended up plugging the keyboard into my monitor, which has USB ports (I connect to the monitor via USB-C, so the monitor acts like a hub) - and this works. But if I use an adaptor and plug it in directly to my MacBook it doesn't work!

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Answer 4

Sparky Marky Author

Level 1

65 points

Mar 13, 2022 7:02 AM in response to James Brickley

Sounds more like the USB-A to USB-C dongle adapter isn't entirely compatible for all use cases

It's an Apple (expensive) adapter, so I expect it to work – it is only a keyboard (and I have a vague memory when I first tried it, it worked). Also Apple are still selling Apple USB keyboards, which they say are compatible with the MBP 2021 and must require an adapter. So either my adapter is faulty (it works for other things) or Apple are selling the wrong keyboards. Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad for Mac models - Apple (UK)

Is the monitor Thunderbolt 3/4 USB-C with charging capabilities of say 90W?

It has a USB-C port, which I use to connect my MBP to (USB-C to USB-C cable). But I still have to plug the monitor directly into the electricity plug socket. Can some USB-C monitors get their electricity through the Mac USB-C cable?

Headache inducing article!

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Apple USB keyboard and MacBook Pro 2021

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