The basic steps to pair your MX Keys with your Mac

To connect your Logitech MX Keys keyboard to your Mac, turn on the keyboard, hold down the Bluetooth pairing button for three seconds until the LED light blinks, then go to System Settings > Bluetooth on your Mac and select the MX Keys from the list. Your Mac will pair automatically — you don't need to enter a code.

The whole process takes about a minute. Once paired, your keyboard will reconnect to your Mac automatically whenever both devices are nearby and turned on.

Key Takeaways

  • The Bluetooth pairing button on the MX Keys is located on the bottom of the keyboard and must be held for three seconds to enter pairing mode.
  • Your Mac's Bluetooth settings are found in System Settings (not System Preferences on newer macOS versions), under the Bluetooth menu.
  • The keyboard will appear in your Mac's Bluetooth list only while the pairing button is actively blinking, so you have a limited window to select it.
  • Once paired, the MX Keys will reconnect automatically to your Mac without needing to repeat the pairing process each time you turn it on.

Where to find the Bluetooth button on your MX Keys

The Bluetooth pairing button is on the underside of the keyboard, toward the back left corner. It's a small recessed button labeled with a Bluetooth symbol. You'll need to flip the keyboard over or tilt it back to reach it comfortably.

When you press and hold this button for three seconds, you'll see a small LED light on the top of the keyboard begin to blink. This blinking light means the keyboard is in pairing mode and searching for a device to connect to. The light will stop blinking once the pairing is complete.

Accessing Bluetooth settings on your Mac

On macOS Ventura and newer, open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select System Settings. On older versions of macOS, you'll use System Preferences instead. Either way, look for the Bluetooth option in the sidebar.

Click on Bluetooth to open the Bluetooth menu. Your Mac will begin scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices. The MX Keys should appear in the list within a few seconds of you pressing the pairing button on the keyboard. The name will simply read "MX Keys" or sometimes "Logitech MX Keys".

Selecting the keyboard and completing the pairing

When you see the MX Keys appear in your Bluetooth list, click on it. Your Mac will connect automatically — there's no PIN code to enter or additional steps required. You'll see the status change from "Not Connected" to "Connected" next to the keyboard's name.

Once connected, you can close the Bluetooth settings. Your keyboard is now ready to use. Test it by typing something in a text editor or search box to confirm the connection is working.

What to do if the keyboard doesn't appear in the Bluetooth list

If the MX Keys doesn't show up after you've held the pairing button, make sure the keyboard is actually turned on. Check the power switch on the back of the keyboard — it should be in the "on" position. Also verify that the LED light on top is blinking; if it's not, try holding the pairing button for a full five seconds instead of three.

If the keyboard still doesn't appear, turn off Bluetooth on your Mac completely, wait ten seconds, turn it back on, and try the pairing process again. Sometimes a fresh start clears up connection issues. Make sure your Mac is within six feet of the keyboard during pairing.

Reconnecting after the initial pairing

After the first pairing, you won't need to repeat the process. Simply turn on your MX Keys and it will automatically reconnect to your Mac. This happens in the background — you'll know it's connected when you can start typing without any delay.

If your keyboard doesn't reconnect automatically, check that Bluetooth is still turned on in your Mac's System Settings. You can also manually reconnect by opening Bluetooth settings, finding the MX Keys in the list, and clicking "Connect" next to it. The keyboard will reconnect within a few seconds.

Switching the MX Keys between multiple devices

The MX Keys can be paired with up to three devices at once, including your Mac. To switch between devices, use the three Easy-Switch buttons on the top of the keyboard. Each button corresponds to a different paired device. Simply press the button for the device you want to use, and the keyboard will switch to that device.

If you want to pair the keyboard with a different Mac or device entirely, follow the same pairing steps as before. The keyboard will add the new device to its memory without forgetting the old ones, up to a maximum of three devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install any software on my Mac to use the MX Keys?

No. The keyboard works immediately after pairing with just the basic Bluetooth connection. However, Logitech offers an optional app called Logi Options+ that lets you customize keyboard shortcuts and adjust settings. It's not required for the keyboard to function.

Why does my MX Keys keep disconnecting from my Mac?

Disconnections usually happen when the keyboard is too far from your Mac (beyond about 30 feet) or when Bluetooth interference is present. Move closer to your Mac and away from other wireless devices like microwaves or cordless phones. If the problem persists, try unpairing and re-pairing the keyboard.

Can I use the MX Keys with an older Mac that doesn't have Bluetooth?

No, the MX Keys requires Bluetooth to connect. If your Mac doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, you would need a USB Bluetooth adapter, but this is rarely necessary on modern Macs. Nearly all Macs from the last 15 years have Bluetooth built in.

What if I forget which Easy-Switch button is assigned to which device?

Press each button briefly and watch which device responds. The keyboard will switch to that device, so you'll see the cursor move or the keyboard become active on that screen. You can also check the Bluetooth settings on each device to see which button number it's assigned to.