Touch ID on New Magic Keyboard Isn't Compatible With M1 iPad Pro

While the Touch ID sensor on the new Magic Keyboard is compatible with all M1 Macs, including the new iMac and last fall's 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini, MacRumors has confirmed with Apple that the Touch ID sensor will not function with the new iPad Pro, even though it also has an M1 chip.

Touch ID Keyboard Feature
The new Magic Keyboard can still be used with the iPad Pro and other devices, like Intel-based Macs, with the exception of Touch ID.

Apple will be offering three versions of the Magic Keyboard, including a standard version with Touch ID, a standard version without Touch ID, and an extended version with Touch ID and a numeric keypad. However, the new Magic Keyboard will only be available with the new iMac and not sold separately, at least initially, according to Apple.

Higher-end 24-inch iMacs will ship with the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID in the box at no additional charge, but it will be a $50 upgrade option for the base model.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Caution)

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Top Rated Comments

colticus Avatar
52 months ago

What about the M1 mac mini?
Did you even make it past the headline?
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alexandr Avatar
52 months ago
well, it has face id right there for you...
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nt5672 Avatar
52 months ago
Just remembering the good old days when Jobs insisted that everything interoperate, except for very limited product transitions. Now it is such a hodgepodge that you have to be in Mensa to understand what works with what.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
52 months ago
This does create some weird limitations if you want to use the iPad plugged into external displays
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justiny Avatar
52 months ago
Is anyone beating down Tim's front door *for* Touch ID to function on an external keyboard for their iPad Pro?
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WiseAJ Avatar
52 months ago

When the new touchId keyboard does become available it is going to be a tough decision. The touchId would be great since I use my M1 MacBook Air docked in clamshell mode most of the time. The problem is that the new keyboard uses the awful up-down arrow key layout. I much prefer the traditional t-shape arrow key layout and I use the arrow keys much more than I do the touchId.

Not sure what I’ll do when they become available.
Get the full expanded keyboard with number pad. That one has the traditional arrow keys.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)