Which Models Will Work With Touch ID?
Currently, the only M1 Macs are the MacBook Air (M1, 2020), MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020), iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021), and Mac mini (M1, 2020). If you have one of those, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the Magic Keyboard With Touch ID and all of its features. This applies to the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad.
If you’re sitting on an Intel Mac, you can absolutely still use the keyboard, but you won’t be able to take advantage of the Touch ID. If you want a nice keyboard, though, you’re better off saving money and getting the traditional Magic Keyboard or Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, as they offer the same features, just without the Touch ID that won’t work on your device anyway.
Apple lists the Touch ID keyboards as “for Mac models with Apple silicon.” The system requirements also list “Mac with Apple silicon using macOS 11.4 or later,” so the company is not trying to trick anyone into buying one unnecessarily.
This makes sense, as the keyboard was originally only available as part of the M1 iMac package, which is definitely one of the best Mac desktops to consider, so the feature is targeted at people with M1-toting devices.
Should You Care About Touch ID on Mac?
Touch ID on Mac is a fantastic feature for authenticating logins and making Apple Pay purchases, but it’s not necessarily going to change your life. With that said, if you have one of the Mac models that support the feature, and you’re in the market for a new keyboard, it’s worth considering, as it can speed up some processes.
