Next, Touch ID came to MacBooks, leaving only Apples desktop Macs without biometric authentication.

Now, that same keyboard is available to buy separately, in two sizes.

I bought the big one.

Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID for Mac on a wood table

Lifewire / Charlie Sorrel

One note: if you dont have an M1 Mac, then dont bother.

Touch ID doesnt work with older, Intel Macs.

Is It Secure?

Touch ID settings on macOS using Magic Keyboard with Touch ID

Lifewire / Charlie Sorrel

Alternatively, you could pair it like any other Bluetooth keyboard in the Macs Bluetooth prefs panel.

Once this is done, youll need to set up Touch ID.

This is done in a new System Preferences panel, which should appear once the keyboard is connected.

Keyboard settings on macOS Big Sur setting the fn key function

Lifewire / Charlie Sorrel

Its exactly the same as setting it up on the iPhone or iPad.

Finally on Touch ID, the reader is also a button.

The button also wakes (and unlocks) the Mac.

I love the DND key, but I have no use for the others.

Also new is the Globe key, which used to be the function (fn) key.

This has its own set of options, as seen in the screenshot below.

You also can set it in the Modifier Keys section of the keyboard preferences.

Solid, with a good amount of travel to the keys.

Theyre not as stable as Apples disastrous Butterfly Keyboard, but they feel great.

The iPads keys are also backlit.

Is this keyboard worth $179 (or $149 for the numpad-less version)?

For me, its worth it.

Ive wanted Touch ID on the Mac from the moment I tried it on the iPhone.

And an expensive keyboard is justifiable for someone who writes for a living.

But if youre tempted, know that its just as good as Apples other keyboards.