Apple Bluetooth keyboard Touch ID option disappeared all together

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Apple Bluetooth keyboard Touch ID option disappeared all together

I have a 2021 iMac with an M1 chip. I use a bluetooth Apple keyboard. The Touch ID option that used to work for years with this keyboard stopped working. (I just upgraded to Tahoe 26.6.1 but this issue started before the upgrade.) I noticed it first when I didn't get the touch ID option on startup. Now, there is not even an Add Fingerprint option on Settings. After reading some posts here, the things I tried are:

1- Turn the computer off and on again.

2- Safe Mode restart.

3- Disconnect the keyboard and connect again.

After I tried 1 and 2, I briefly saw the Add Fingerprint option, but when I clicked on it, it gave me some sort of error message and then the whole thing disappeared.

iMac 24″, macOS 26.6

Posted on Aug 13, 2026 9:44 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

WheelieNick

Level 9

55,881 points

Aug 13, 2026 2:17 PM in response to seyda128

Try this

Connect your Magic Keyboard directly to your iMac using the Lightning-to-USB cable, or USB C to USB C Cable

Go to System Settings > Bluetooth, find your Magic Keyboard, and click Forget This Device.

Turn the physical switch on the back of the keyboard Off, wait 1 minute, and turn it back On while still plugged in via USB.

Keep the cable connected for at least 1 to 2 minutes to allow the Mac to re-authenticate the hardware controller over the physical data line.

Unplug the cable, check if the keyboard pairs over Bluetooth, and navigate back to Touch ID & Password.

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