How secure is the Apple Magic Keyboard with TouchID?

Question

How secure is the Apple Magic Keyboard with TouchID?

Apple Magic Keyboard is broadcasting my touch ID login and anything I type, including passwords, to all listeners capable of listening to Bluetooth.

I am aware that Bluetooth connections have encryption but this encryption is very weak and easily broken.

Moreover someone could record my connection and break it in their own good time.

Does the Magic Keyboard (latest version as of May 2025) have its own encryption protocol with the Mac?

Or should I simply not use it for security critical work? Also it has TouchID how is my fingerprint kept secure?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.5

Posted on May 26, 2025 4:52 AM

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Answer 1

WheelieNick

Level 8

45,951 points

May 26, 2025 7:15 AM in response to Nikolaus Heger

There's been a security update lately to fix the leak in the magic keyboard

For the Touch ID< your finger print is not stored on the keyboard itself (that doesn't have any memory )But on the encrypted Secure Enclave of your Mac. This is the reason that the keyboard with Touch ID only works on Macs with apple silicon, not on Intel Macs

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Answer 2

May 26, 2025 4:46 PM in response to WheelieNick

Thanks I saw the same. Seems it should be Ok for the Touch ID but is only using standard Bluetooth encryption for key strokes so best to not use it for passwords.

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How secure is the Apple Magic Keyboard with TouchID?

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