New Magic Keyboard(s) battery drain in 3-4 days.

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Level 1

4 points

New Magic Keyboard(s) battery drain in 3-4 days.

Purchased a new iMac in July; presently running Ventura. I am on my third Magic Keyboard (replaced under warranty by my local store) with the finger touch ID button. Each drains its battery within 3-4 days with little (an hour at most each day) or no usage.

I still have my older wireless keyboard without the finger touch button. The battery on this would last at least a couple of months before needing a recharge. So I have been able to compare performance. Charging them both to 100% and using them alternately (or not at all) I can track relative battery drain. Typically after 48 hours the new key board will be at 50% and the old at 98%. After another 24 hours the new will be at 20% and the old at 97%. Another 24 hours and the new keyboard is dead, new at 96%. Almost identical for all three new Magic Keyboards. I have photographed all of these changes to show the store staff.

As I am getting bored traveling to the store and getting another 'faulty' replacement has anyone any ideas as to what may be impacting the new keyboards?

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Oct 15, 2023 7:06 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jellicle_C

Level 1

8 points

Apr 16, 2024 9:01 PM in response to Cranley11

Share my experience for you guys reference. I use Magic Keyboard (A2450). I use it about three or four hours a day typing for translation job. If I am off work, leave office, and don't turn keyboard off, then come to office next day, by this mode the battery drains very fast; it can only last 4 or 5 days. But if I switch the keyboard off every time I leave office and come to work next day and turn on the keyboard, it can only drain 3-5 percent of battery per day. I estimate that maybe the keyboard sleep function breaks down, so it drains battery very fast even I let it being idle status.

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Answer 2

genieen16

Community Specialist

Oct 16, 2023 9:38 AM in response to Cranley11

Greetings Cranley11,

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!

We can understand the importance of having a lasting battery on your Magic Keyboard. Start by ensuring that your Magic Keyboard is set up to your iMac correctly. You can learn how to do so here: Set up your Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad with your Mac - Apple Support.

You may also want to make sure that the iMac itself is up-to-date. The latest version of macOS is 14. If this is not the macOS version installed on your iMac, you'll want to create a backup of your Mac and update the software. Here are some links to help with this process:

We hope this information helps you out.

Kind regards!

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Answer 3

Cranley11 Author

Level 1

4 points

Oct 21, 2023 2:44 AM in response to genieen16

Thank you genieen16

I followed your suggestions: (a) updated to Sonoma and (b) 'forgot' the new Magic Keyboard then reconnected it initially via the lightning cable before disconnecting and relying on bluetooth.

These changes seem to resulted in a material improvement. In three days the new keyboard has only lost 4% of battery charge, in line with the old keyboard. I will continue to monitor progress and will report back if there is any material change.

What remains mystery is that the old keyboard was just recognised by bluetooth on the new iMac back in July and has had no problems.

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New Magic Keyboard(s) battery drain in 3-4 days.

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