Can I use a magic trackpad with more than one Mac at a time?

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Level 1

4 points

Can I use a magic trackpad with more than one Mac at a time?

I am attempting to pair a MTP with a second MacBook Pro. So far I can't get system preferences to find the MTP.

I am wondering whether the MTP can be paired with only one Mac at a time, and that this is why my MBP won't find it.

The reason I am thinking this is because the little booklet that comes with the MTP says 'after you pair your MTP with a Mac, you can pair it again with a different Mac. To do this, you first remove the existing pairing and then pair the trackpad again'.

Can anyone advise, please?

If it can be paired with more than one MBP at a time, any suggestions why my system preferences search for the MTP is not producing any results?

Thanks

Magic Trackpad-OTHER

Posted on Apr 10, 2012 11:41 PM

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Answer 1

X423424X

Level 6

14,265 points

Apr 11, 2012 3:09 AM in response to grantliddell

I am wondering whether the MTP can be paired with only one Mac at a time, and that this is why my MBP won't find it.

That is correct. A specific BT (slave) device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) can only be paired with one computer (master) at a time. Of course you can multiple slave devices. Just not the same kind of slave devices.

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Answer 2

captfred

Level 7

26,422 points

Apr 11, 2012 5:53 AM in response to grantliddell

Yes, your keyboard, mouse or trackpad can be paired with multiple Macs. You can even have multiple keyboards, mice or trackpads paired with one Mac. The caveat is that the device can only be connected to one Mac at a time. The device can't be paired or connected with a Mac while it's currently connected to another.

Pairing a device with 2 Macs will be troublesome if the Macs are located within 33 ft of each other. The device will connect with the first available paired Mac and then unavailable to the second. If the Macs are located outside the 10meter range, it's quite easy to power off the keyboard (forcing a disconnect) then walking the keyboard to Mac 2 and powering the keyboard on. I do this with a keyboard from my iMac to a Mac Mini in another room.

Captfred

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