Apple Magic Keyboard (USB-C) function keys not working

Note: I'm basically writing this post for Google because I couldn't find useful/relevant results when I was searching myself... Tech Specs: Macbook Pro running Sonoma 14.6.1 on Apple Silicon New keyboard is model A3118 with USB-C Old keyboard is model A2449 with Lightning I've been using a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (lightning cable) for many, many, many years. It’s been rock-solid the entire with time — no issues, always reliable. But recently, a key on my Lightning version stuck/broke so I decided to get a replacement. I chose a new model (A3118) with a USB-C connector instead of Lightning. Seemed like a minor upgrade—same keyboard, just with the modern connector, right? Not quite. Right out of the box, the USB-C version had issues. It connected fine, typed fine, but none of the system-level features worked. The Touch ID sensor didn’t respond. The function keys—brightness, volume, media—didn’t do anything. I toggled every keyboard setting I could find in System Settings. Nothing changed. Everything worked as normal on my built-in native keyboard on my Macbook, so I knew it was a firmware/connection issue and not something system wide. Yes, I tried toggling the Function Keys in Keyboard Settings I tried everything: Restarted my MacBook Pro) Connected via USB-C directly Paired via Bluetooth Used it in wired-only mode Reset keyboard settings and Bluetooth modules Still broken. To double-check it wasn’t my machine, I plugged in the old Lightning version. Everything worked perfectly—Touch ID, function keys, all the macOS integrations I’d come to expect. I brought my Macbook Pro along with the new USB-C keyboard to the Apple Store. They tested it and saw the same issues. They then brought out their store tester keyboards (both USB-C and Lightning) and were able to confirm the issue -- demonstrating that it wasn't a specific faulty unit, but a broader issue. Lightning worked without issue, USB-C has the broken function keys. So, yeah... if you’re considering upgrading to the new USB-C Magic Keyboard with Touch ID: maybe wait or do a bit more research. There seems to be a firmware or macOS-level compatibility issue that breaks key features. Hope this helps the next person avoid the painful Google search + troubleshooting issues.

Apr 2, 2025 - 11:42

Apple Magic Keyboard (USB-C) function keys not working

Note: I'm basically writing this post for Google because I couldn't find useful/relevant results when I was searching myself...

Tech Specs:

Macbook Pro running Sonoma 14.6.1 on Apple Silicon
New keyboard is model A3118 with USB-C
Old keyboard is model A2449 with Lightning

I've been using a Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (lightning cable) for many, many, many years. It’s been rock-solid the entire with time — no issues, always reliable. But recently, a key on my Lightning version stuck/broke so I decided to get a replacement. I chose a new model (A3118) with a USB-C connector instead of Lightning.

Seemed like a minor upgrade—same keyboard, just with the modern connector, right?

Not quite.

Right out of the box, the USB-C version had issues. It connected fine, typed fine, but none of the system-level features worked. The Touch ID sensor didn’t respond. The function keys—brightness, volume, media—didn’t do anything. I toggled every keyboard setting I could find in System Settings. Nothing changed.

Everything worked as normal on my built-in native keyboard on my Macbook, so I knew it was a firmware/connection issue and not something system wide.

Yes, I tried toggling the Function Keys in Keyboard Settings

I tried everything:

Restarted my MacBook Pro)
Connected via USB-C directly
Paired via Bluetooth
Used it in wired-only mode
Reset keyboard settings and Bluetooth modules

Still broken.

To double-check it wasn’t my machine, I plugged in the old Lightning version. Everything worked perfectly—Touch ID, function keys, all the macOS integrations I’d come to expect.

I brought my Macbook Pro along with the new USB-C keyboard to the Apple Store. They tested it and saw the same issues. They then brought out their store tester keyboards (both USB-C and Lightning) and were able to confirm the issue -- demonstrating that it wasn't a specific faulty unit, but a broader issue. Lightning worked without issue, USB-C has the broken function keys.

So, yeah... if you’re considering upgrading to the new USB-C Magic Keyboard with Touch ID: maybe wait or do a bit more research. There seems to be a firmware or macOS-level compatibility issue that breaks key features.

Hope this helps the next person avoid the painful Google search + troubleshooting issues.