To switch a Magic Keyboard between Macs, you forget it on the Mac it's connected to and pair it again on the other one, every time you move. That's because a Magic Keyboard only works with the last Mac that paired it. LinkFlick does that handover for you in one click, in about 10 seconds.
Below: why the keyboard behaves this way, what happens to Touch ID and your key settings when it moves, and how to switch it without opening System Settings.
Why a Magic Keyboard only works with one Mac
When a Mac pairs with a Magic Keyboard, the two exchange a Bluetooth key. The keyboard keeps that key for just one Mac at a time: pairing it with a new Mac replaces the old one. So the first Mac usually still lists the keyboard in Bluetooth settings, but clicking Connect fails because its key no longer works.
That's why turning Bluetooth off on one Mac and clicking Connect on the other doesn't work, and why every switch means a full forget and re-pair. If the keyboard won't show up at all, it's still connected to the other Mac; there's no pairing button to force it (here's how pairing works). For more causes and fixes, see Magic Keyboard won't connect after switching Macs.
How to switch a Magic Keyboard between Macs by hand
- On the Mac the keyboard is connected to, open System Settings → Bluetooth, Control-click the keyboard and choose Forget.
- On the other Mac, open System Settings → Bluetooth, hold the pointer over the keyboard and click Connect. If it's not in the list, turn the keyboard off and back on.
- Or skip step 2 and plug the keyboard into the other Mac with its cable. It pairs automatically.
You'll need a mouse or trackpad on each Mac to click through these steps, since the keyboard is the thing you're moving. Plan on a minute or two each time.
What moves with the keyboard, and what stays on each Mac
A Magic Keyboard doesn't store any settings. Everything that changes how it behaves lives on the Mac, so when it switches Macs, it picks up that Mac's settings:
- Touch ID. The Magic Keyboard with Touch ID works with any Mac with Apple silicon, but fingerprints are stored in each Mac's Secure Enclave, not in the keyboard. Add your fingerprint once on every Mac in System Settings → Touch ID & Password. On an Intel Mac the keyboard works without Touch ID.
- Input sources and layout. Keyboard layouts like U.S., British, or German are set per Mac in System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input. If one Mac types the wrong characters, check its input sources rather than the keyboard.
- Fn / Globe key. What the 🌐 key does (switch input source, show emoji, start dictation) is set separately on each Mac under System Settings → Keyboard.
- Function keys and modifier keys. "Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" and any remapped Caps Lock, Control, Option or Command keys are under Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts on each Mac. Set them the same way on both Macs and the keyboard feels identical wherever it goes.
Switch your Magic Keyboard between Macs in one click
LinkFlick automates the forget-and-re-pair. Here's how to set it up.
Step 1: Install LinkFlick on both Macs
Download and open LinkFlick on each Mac. Both need to be on the same local network — Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
Step 2: Link your Macs (one-time)
In the LinkFlick setup window, click Invite next to your other Mac, then click Accept on that Mac. This is a one-time step, and the link survives restarts. See the setup guide for every step.
Step 3: Hand off your keyboard
Click your Magic Keyboard in the device list, select the Mac you're moving to, and confirm. LinkFlick unpairs the keyboard from the current Mac and pairs it to the destination. Done.
Workflow tips
- Set Launch at Login on both Macs. Gear icon → Launch at Login. That way LinkFlick is always running and you never have to open it manually before a handoff.
- Transfer all peripherals at once. If you use a Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard together, you can hand off both at once — select each device and point them at the destination Mac in one session.
- Charge from a wall adapter. Plugging the keyboard into the Mac you're not using pairs it with that Mac.
- If the keyboard connects but immediately drops, the source Mac's Bluetooth stack may still be holding it. Quit LinkFlick on the source Mac, reopen it, and try again.
- Keep the keyboard within range. During the handoff, the keyboard needs to be within about 10 metres of the destination Mac.
Works across different Apple IDs
LinkFlick works at the Bluetooth level — it has no dependency on iCloud or Apple ID. Your Magic Keyboard can move freely between a work Mac and a personal Mac, even if they're on completely different Apple accounts. Apple's Universal Control can't do this.
Also see: Can a Magic Mouse connect to two Macs? · Switch a Magic Trackpad between Macs · What is Bluetooth handover on Mac?
Frequently asked questions
How do I switch a Magic Keyboard between two Macs?
Forget it in Bluetooth settings on the Mac it's connected to, then click Connect next to it in Bluetooth settings on the other Mac (or plug it into that Mac with its cable). With LinkFlick on both Macs, you click the keyboard in the menu bar and pick the other Mac instead, and it moves over in about 10 seconds.
Can a Magic Keyboard connect to multiple devices?
Not at the same time. A Magic Keyboard keeps a working connection with only one device, the last one that paired it. Other Macs may still list it in their Bluetooth settings, but they can't connect until it's paired with them again.
Why does my other Mac show the Magic Keyboard but won't connect to it?
The keyboard was paired with a different Mac since then, and that replaced the old pairing. The entry in Bluetooth settings is left over and no longer works. Forget it on that Mac and pair it again, or let LinkFlick do both steps for you.
Does Touch ID on the Magic Keyboard work on both Macs?
Yes, on any Mac with Apple silicon, as long as you've added your fingerprint on that Mac in System Settings → Touch ID & Password. Fingerprints are stored on each Mac, not in the keyboard, so you add them once per Mac. On an Intel Mac it works as a regular keyboard without Touch ID.
Will charging the Magic Keyboard from my other Mac switch it over?
Yes. Plugging a Magic Keyboard into a Mac with its cable pairs it with that Mac, so the Mac you were typing on loses it. If you only want to charge it, use a USB wall adapter.