Apple keyboards

has designed and developed many external keyboard models for use with families of Apple computers, such as the Apple II, Mac, and iPad. The Magic Keyboard and Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad are designed to be used via either Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and have integrated rechargeable batteries; The Smart Keyboard and Magic Keyboard accessories for iPads are designed to be directly attached to and powered by a host iPad. All current Apple keyboards utilize low-profile key designs, and common modifier keys.
As of 2015 the butterfly keyboard design was implemented with a complex polymer. In 2018 the Macbook keyboard was redesigned to contain a silicone membrane interior and keys made of nylon. In 2019 the scissor mechanism design was adopted to replace the butterfly design.

Layout and features

To serve the functionality of the Macintosh operating systems, the Apple Keyboard's layout differs somewhat from that of the ubiquitous IBM PC keyboard, mainly in its modifier and special keys. Some of these keys have unique symbols defined in the Unicode block Miscellaneous Technical. Features different from other keyboards include:

The Command key, used in most Mac keyboard shortcuts. The key functions as a Meta key or Super key in Unix-like environments, and is equally equivalent to the Windows key in Windows environments, although in common applications it performs the same function as the Windows Control key. Compared to their equivalents on the standard IBM PC keyboard layout the Command key and the Option key are located in reverse order.
* The "open" and separate "closed" Apple logo keys on the Apple II series, served functions similar to that of the Command key. The open-Apple key was combined with the Command key on Apple Desktop Bus keyboards where it remained after the Apple II line was discontinued.
The Option key, for entering diacritics and other special characters. Like the Shift and Control keys, the Option key serves as a modifier for the Command key shortcuts, as well as being used to type many special characters. It serves the function of the solid-Apple key in Apple II applications. It functions as the Alt key in Unix and Windows environments. Compared to their equivalents on the standard IBM PC keyboard layout the Command key and the Option key are located in reverse order.
Full-sized desktop keyboards with a dedicated numpad have function keys that can range up to F15, F16, or F19. F17-F19 keys were introduced with the aluminium USB keyboard. The function keys on all compact Magic Keyboards and MacBooks range from F1-F12 only, just like IBM PC keyboards.
A Clear key, instead of a Num Lock key, on models with full numeric keypads, as these are dedicated to numeric input and not generally used for cursor control. In Unicode, the Clear key is represented by, defined as "clear key".
An "equals" key added to the numeric keypad.
A Help key, instead of an Insert key, or on the most recent aluminum keyboards, a fn key, which toggles the function of the function keys between their default functions and special functions.
Notebook computers typically include additional assignments shared with function keys: reduce and increase brightness, volume up, volume down, mute, and eject. Apple, since the release of the Pro Keyboard, provides these last four keys on desktop keyboards above the numeric keypad where status indicator lights are on many IBM PC keyboards. On the newest aluminum keyboard, these functions are accessed with the function keys, just like on the Apple laptops.
On Apple Desktop Bus keyboards, a power key, used to turn on computers that supported it. On keyboards with function keys, it was placed either on the left or right edge of the same keyboard row as the function keys; on keyboards without function keys it was placed in a central location above the other keys. The power key was replaced with a more conventional power button on early USB keyboards, thanks to a proprietary pin wired to the Macintosh's power supply in Apple's early USB implementations, subsequently eliminated on the Pro Keyboard along with the special power supply pin. Most of its functions were transferred to the eject key in such later keyboards.
* On the Apple IIGS, this key, used in conjunction with the control key, is reset. Used in conjunction with the open Apple key, reset reboots the computer. Various other reset key combinations do various other things.
The Apple UK keyboard layout has the @ and " keys in their US locations. These are normally reversed on non-Apple UK keyboards.
Image of US keyboard layout

Usage of function keys

Current keyboards

Magic Keyboard (2021)

The Magic Keyboard is Apple's current design of external keyboards designed for use with Mac computers. It can use either wireless Bluetooth connectivity, or a wired connection via a USB to Lightning cable. It utilizes scissor-switch key mechanisms, and comes in several layouts and colors, including the option of a Numeric Keypad, Touch ID fingerprint authentication, and colors to match each color variant of the M1 iMac.

A2449 Magic Keyboard with Touch ID: 77 keys
* May 2021: Bundled / optional upgrade with M1 iMac in any of seven colors: silver, pink, blue, green, purple, orange, or yellow
* August 2021: Standalone : Silver
A2450 Magic Keyboard: 78 keys
* May 2021 ; Silver
A2520 Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad: 109 keys
* May 2021: Bundled with M1 iMac in any of seven colors: silver, pink, blue, green, purple, orange, or yellow
* August 2021: Standalone
* August 2021: Standalone
Magic Keyboard for iPad

On March 18, 2020, the Magic Keyboard was announced alongside the introduction of mouse cursor support for iPadOS 13, and includes a trackpad and front-and-back protection, as a more capable alternative to the Smart Keyboard. Like the Smart Keyboard, it uses the Smart Connector to draw power, and also comes with a USB-C port for pass-through charging of the iPad Pro. Its keys are backlit and use a scissor-switch mechanism. It attaches magnetically to the iPad Pro or iPad Air, which sits above a cantilever that allows adjusting the viewing angle.
Several revisions of the Magic Keyboard have been released, in black and white colors, and are compatible with 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models from 2018 and later, and 10.9-inch iPad Air models from 2020 and later. A version for the entry-level iPad model, called the Magic Keyboard Folio, was released for the iPad. This version relies on a two-piece mechanism with separate kickstand and keyboard components to attach to the iPad, instead of a single piece with a cantilever. The Magic Keyboard Folio also features a 14-key function row.
A second-generation thinner Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro was introduced on May 7, 2024, with general availability on May 15, 2024. It features the larger trackpad with haptic feedback and the 14-key function row previously used on the Magic Keyboard Folio. The second-generation Magic Keyboard design was later brought to the iPad Air on March 4, 2025, but without trackpad haptic feedback, a keyboard backlight, or an aluminum case.

Discontinued keyboards

Apple Numeric Keypad II (A2M0056)

The Numeric Keypad II was Apple's first external keypad. Originally created by Michael Muller at The Keyboard Company in 1977 at the request from Steve Jobs for the Apple II. In 1980, Apple purchased The Keyboard Company and became the Accessory Products Division.

Apple Numeric Keypad IIe (A2M2003)

The Numeric Keypad IIe was released as an option specifically for the popular Apple IIe computer in 1983, it helped correct some of the II series' shortcomings. Later, the Platinum IIe would incorporate the numeric keypad into its built-in keyboard.

Lisa Keyboard (A6MB101)

The first keyboard not to be integrated into the case like the Apple II and III series before it. It was designed for and came with the Apple Lisa. Like the Apple III before it, it was intended to be a business computer and included an integrated numeric keypad. Like all Apple computers before it, it came in a beige case to match the Lisa and connected by a unique TRS connector. In addition it carried over the use of the "open" Apple key from the Apple III as a command key and included a pullout reference guide hidden under the keyboard.

Macintosh Keyboard (M0110)

Introduced and included with the original Macintosh in 1984, it debuted with neither arrow keys to control the cursor nor an integrated numeric keypad. It used a telephone cord-style RJ-11 connector to the case. The keyboard pinouts are "crossed" so it isn't possible to use a standard telephone cord as a replacement; doing so will result in damage to the keyboard or the computer. The keyboard also introduced a unique command key similar to the "open" Apple Key on the Lisa.

Macintosh Numeric Keypad (M0120 and M0120P)

Like the Apple IIe before it, the Macintosh provided an optional external keypad which also included arrow keys that daisy chained to the computer via the telephone-cord connectors. Though introduced with the Macintosh in January 1984, Apple did not ship it until September 1984 at a retail price of US$99. The M0120P version of the numeric keypad, compared to M0120, uses symbols on the Clear and Enter keys, instead of text.

Macintosh Plus Keyboard (M0110A)

Introduced and included with the Macintosh Plus in 1986, it was an extended keyboard that had a built-in numeric keypad. In 1987 it was updated to Apple's new Platinum gray color. It continued to use the telephone-cord style connector to the system and was interchangeable with the M0110. Though Apple switched all other keyboards to Apple Desktop Bus connectors by this time, this keyboard was manufactured unchanged for four more years until the Plus was discontinued in 1990.