Can I use a usb cable to charge my apple magic keyboard?

thegha wrote:

What is a USB A cable?

The following assumes this is an Apple rechargeable keyboard with a Lightning connector.

USB-A and USB-C are common USB connectors.

USB is used to connect to keyboards, storage devices, printers, and other devices.

Older computers will have USB-A sockets, while newer computers will either have a mix, or will have only USB-C sockets.

An iMac Late 2013 model has USB-A and Thunderbolt connections, among others. No USB-C.

Here is a USB-C to Lightning cable, and a USB-A to Lightning cable. Only the latter will work here.

With the way the Apple rechargeable keyboards work, it is (also) possible to keep and use the keyboard wired; via the cable.

There are a variety of different USB connectors around, too—with different USB connectors and different USB sockets.

The first image below is a USB-A socket on a 5W charger, and the second is USB-C socket on a 20W charger.

You can use a USB-C to Lightning cable if your Mac has USB-C ports.

The magic keyboard will switch from bluetooth to the USB connection while charging. You should still be able to use the keyboard even if it does not appear in Bluetooth.

Recharge the built-in battery in your Apple keyboard, mouse, or trackpad - Apple Support

thegha wrote:

The keyboard came with a usbc to lighting cable. But my Mac does not accommodate a usbc port so I can’t use it. However I do have the other cable but when I plug it in the keyboard disconnects.

Shut down, plug in the keyboard and USB-A cable while the Mac is shut down, and clear SMC and NVRAM at power up, and try again.

Reset the SMC of your Mac - Apple Support

Reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

The keyboard should work wired, too.

On the off chance that something goes badly wrong here, I’d have a spare USB-A wired keyboard handy. (That’s not because of any potential for physical damage to anything, but because not having a working wired keyboard can get old should the Mac forget about its keyboard. Which is what the SMC is intended to cause.)

A USB-A to Lightning cable can be used to charge a Lightning-equipped Apple rechargeable keyboard, yes.

thegha wrote:

What is a USB A cable?

The same thing as a “USB cable”.

thegha wrote:

My Mac is a 2013. It does not accommodate usbc.

Sorry, yes, I misread that part above.

Then you can use the regular USB to Lightning cable to charge the keyboard.