Level 1

27 points

Magic Keyboard Touch ID not working consistently

I have a new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID. Paired with my MacBook Air just fine, and the Touch ID was initially working.

After a couple of days, Touch ID on the keyboard stopped working. Following a computer restart, it will work for a few minutes, and then stop working again.

I've been through regular restarts, restart in Safe Mode and restart to go through Apple Diagnostics (which found no issues). I added another fingerprint. Same behavior every time: Touch ID will work for login to 1 or 2 websites, and then stop working. Touch ID on MacBook Air has worked fine the whole time.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Posted on Mar 24, 2023 1:00 PM

Top-ranking reply

Los_Altos_geek

Level 1

12 points

Posted on Jun 26, 2023 5:10 PM

I’ve been trying to get to the bottom of this for a month since buying a used “like new” Magic Keyboard online. Initially thought I had a defective board, so I bought a new and sealed replacement keyboard at Micro Center. Problem persisted.

It’s true that if you leave it plugged into the Mac or a wall adapter, Touch ID will keep working. If the keyboard isn’t plugged into power, Touch ID will stop working eventually. Comes back on with cycling keyboard power.

There’s other forums mentioning this issue so maybe Apple can get this fixed.

For reference:

2020 MBA M1 in clamshell

mac OS 13.4.1

keyboard A2449 firmware 1.4.8

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132 replies

Apr 10, 2023 2:53 AM in response to Swervb

Hi Swervb.

Yes, perhaps M2 generally.

Please let me now if the problem still exist after testing your new keyboard in last day.

thanks.

joshfrai Author

Level 1

27 points

Apr 10, 2023 6:38 AM in response to behnam_omran

I misspoke in my original post - I'm connecting to a MacBook Pro with M1 chip. So the only-M2 theory may not hold. Should have my new keyboard in the next couple of days; I'll update with my results.

Apr 13, 2023 1:34 PM in response to joshfrai

anything new?

Swervb

Level 1

8 points

Apr 13, 2023 2:41 PM in response to behnam_omran

The new one worked for a few days. Stopped …. There’s def sim thing wrong in Ventura

joshfrai Author

Level 1

27 points

Apr 17, 2023 1:51 PM in response to joshfrai

Finally got the new Magic Keyboard with Touch ID. So far so good with the Touch ID after a few hours. I'll give it a few days before I consider the issue completely solved.

joshfrai Author

Level 1

27 points

Apr 18, 2023 7:08 AM in response to joshfrai

Well, that didn't take long. As of this morning, Touch ID on the Magic Keyboard is not working again.

(For the record: 2020 MacBook Pro with an M1 chip, running Ventura 13.3.1)

joshfrai Author

Level 1

27 points

Apr 23, 2023 12:38 PM in response to Sunny0901

Thanks for the tip. I had had that feature on; tried turning it off, turning it on again, several restarts - unfortunately still have the same issue.

Apr 26, 2023 2:57 AM in response to behnam_omran

Me too. I have these same exact symptoms. Then to add insult to injury, I deleted the fingerprints that were there and now ADD FINGERPRINT is missing.

May 4, 2023 2:44 AM in response to NCSeniorGuy

Keyboard version

mas OS Ventura 13.3.1 (a)

Mac mini M1, 2020

joshfrai Author

Level 1

27 points

May 4, 2023 7:16 AM in response to NCSeniorGuy

Same keyboard version: 1.4.8. (And for the record, still the same issue with the fingerprint sensor not working.)

Danickzh

Level 1

8 points

May 4, 2023 2:30 PM in response to NCSeniorGuy

thanks! I am same two versions with you, on an imac.

ElPapo

Level 1

8 points

May 6, 2023 2:55 PM in response to NCSeniorGuy

I have the same keyboard firmware 1.48 ..Having same issue.

Danickzh

Level 1

8 points

May 6, 2023 3:13 PM in response to ElPapo

i tried on Big Sur, the same. It must be the keyboard then. But 1.4.8 is out for like a year?! How could it not been addressed.

May 13, 2023 9:13 PM in response to Aquamarine48

Same issue, M1 MacBook Pro Max,

Works fine for the first few minutes. After some time it fails. 1.4.8. UK mode.

May 15, 2023 9:30 AM in response to joshfrai

Is there any way to get an official response from Apple acknowledging the issue?

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Magic Keyboard Touch ID not working consistently