Unable to rename Magic Keyboard name

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Level 1

49 points

Unable to rename Magic Keyboard name

This is not really a problem, but mainly I'm just curious. I have a Magic Keyboard connected to my MacBook Pro via Bluetooth. I'm on macOS Sierra 10.12.5. When I try to rename the keyboard in the macOS Bluetooth settings, it doesn't work. I go into Settings, then Bluetooth. I right click the keyboard and choose Rename. I enter the new name and click Rename. The new name is accepted and at first it looks like it works, but if I leave Bluetooth in Settings and go back in, the old name is still there. In the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, the name never changes. Has anyone else seen this? As I said, I'm mainly just curious, because apart from this the keyboard is working fine. Thanks!

MacBook Pro TouchBar and Touch ID, macOS Sierra (10.12.5)

Posted on May 25, 2017 9:38 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

rmvanderspek

Level 1

9 points

Nov 3, 2017 2:01 AM in response to Geez Jan

I am now on Sierra 10.12.6 and I had the same problem. However I think I may have found a solution!

Make sure the bluetooth icon is showing in your menu (if not, click here for instructions)
Make sure your magic keyboard is not connected to your Mac via usb, but via bluetooth only (keyboard should be paired)
Hold the SHIFT and OPTION key down while left-clicking the bluetooth icon.
An extra option has appeared in the bluetooth menu: 'Debugging', go there
Click 'Factory Reset all connected apple devices' (Might be called a little different as I am translating from dutch.)
Repair the keyboard
Voila the keyboard has been reset and you can change the name to whatever you want by opening bluetooth preferences -> right click the paired keyboard -> change name -> save name. Now it works.

Hope this helps!

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Answer 2

tparke95

Level 1

4 points

Aug 12, 2017 12:24 AM in response to robz83

I'm having this same issue. When I click to rename it the new name doesn't save. I'd imagine a factory reset to the keyboard will solve the problem but I haven't found anything useful for resetting the Magic Keyboard. I did find a useful article on editing the name of the keyboard in a plist file but that was for the battery powered brothers. Anything helps. Sorry if I'm bumping an old thread.

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Answer 3

Aug 18, 2017 6:14 AM in response to Geez Jan

Is your keyboard connected in USB ?

If yes, disconnect it and rename it once it's connected in bluetooth

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Answer 4

May 26, 2017 1:19 PM in response to Geez Jan

You might try resetting the NVRAM and SMC.....might help, cannot hurt.

I have no BT devices connected at this time so I cannot test a rename myself.

Barry

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Answer 5

Geez Jan Author

Level 1

49 points

May 30, 2017 7:25 AM in response to Barry Hemphill

Thanks for the response, Barry. Unfortunately that didn't work. I reset both NVRAM and SMC and I am still seeing the same behavior.

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Answer 6

May 30, 2017 2:55 PM in response to Geez Jan

I suppose you could delete the KB and then rediscover it, but I would not do that myself.

Barry

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Answer 7

robz83

Level 1

4 points

Aug 1, 2017 5:01 PM in response to Barry Hemphill

This did not work either. When I attempt to rediscover the Magic Keyboard, it already has the name that I am trying to get changed in the first place.

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Answer 8

Dakota42

Level 1

13 points

Aug 21, 2017 1:51 PM in response to raph_france

I had the same problem and this fixed it. Thanks!

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Answer 9

Nov 3, 2017 1:38 AM in response to Geez Jan

I am now on Sierra 10.12.6 and the problem still exists. Clicking the save button does not persists the new name into the keyboard. As you said, it is not a real problem, but it is quite annoying.

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Answer 10

Jan 5, 2018 9:36 AM in response to rmvanderspek

This solved the issue for me. Reset all devices as you suggested and then I could rename the problem device.

Thanks!

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