Keyboard battery charge percentage is inconsistent when charging with Mac

I’ve plugged my keyboard into my Mac to recharge: and seems to be stuck at 67%. If I unplug it, and plug it back in, it shows a 78% charge.


What’s happening?

Mac mini, macOS 26.6

Posted on Aug 22, 2026 11:14 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 23, 2026 3:23 AM

That sounds more like the displayed battery level wasn’t refreshing than the keyboard actually jumping from 67% to 78% instantly. Disconnecting and reconnecting it can cause macOS to read the battery level again.


I’d leave it connected and switched on for a while, then check Control Center > Bluetooth. If the percentage continues to increase and the keyboard otherwise works normally, I wouldn’t be concerned about the one inconsistent reading.


Apple notes that Magic Keyboard charges while connected to the Mac and recommends checking its charge level from Bluetooth:


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


If it keeps showing large jumps or stops charging altogether, which Magic Keyboard model do you have — USB-C or Lightning?

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 23, 2026 3:23 AM in response to Paul Downie

That sounds more like the displayed battery level wasn’t refreshing than the keyboard actually jumping from 67% to 78% instantly. Disconnecting and reconnecting it can cause macOS to read the battery level again.


I’d leave it connected and switched on for a while, then check Control Center > Bluetooth. If the percentage continues to increase and the keyboard otherwise works normally, I wouldn’t be concerned about the one inconsistent reading.


Apple notes that Magic Keyboard charges while connected to the Mac and recommends checking its charge level from Bluetooth:


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


If it keeps showing large jumps or stops charging altogether, which Magic Keyboard model do you have — USB-C or Lightning?

Aug 23, 2026 4:59 AM in response to Paul Downie

Yes — that’s the place Apple recommends checking it.


Since the percentage changes only after you disconnect and reconnect the keyboard, that makes a stale battery reading more likely.


I’d leave the keyboard switched on and connected for another 30–60 minutes, then unplug and reconnect it once. If the percentage jumps up again, the keyboard is charging and macOS just isn’t refreshing the displayed level properly.


I wouldn’t reset Bluetooth or change anything else yet. If the percentage stops increasing even after reconnecting, let us know whether it’s the USB-C or Lightning Magic Keyboard.

Aug 23, 2026 3:28 AM in response to PreCognition

PreCognition wrote:
That sounds more like the displayed battery level wasn’t refreshing than the keyboard actually jumping from 67% to 78% instantly. Disconnecting and reconnecting it can cause macOS to read the battery level again.
I’d leave it connected and switched on for a while, then check Control Center > Bluetooth. If the percentage continues to increase and the keyboard otherwise works normally, I wouldn’t be concerned about the one inconsistent reading.
Apple notes that Magic Keyboard charges while connected to the Mac and recommends checking its charge level from Bluetooth:
Recharge the built-in battery in your Apple keyboard, mouse, or trackpad - Apple Support
If it keeps showing large jumps or stops charging altogether, which Magic Keyboard model do you have — USB-C or Lightning?

To be honest, that’s how I’ve been checking the levels: by clicking on the bluetooth symbol in the Menu Bar.

Keyboard battery charge percentage is inconsistent when charging with Mac

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