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I also had problems getting my new wireless keyboard to pair to my new mac mini. Called support and it turns out there is a bulletin on the issue. I don't remember the exact procedure, which was more complex than the one in the instructions that came with the equipment, but the service tech talked me thru it. Suggest anyone having trouble, call.
 
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Yes i have new Mac Mini i5, and a new BT keyboard. I can't even remember pairing them as it just worked. I did later have some USB3 interference to the BT frequency in the Mac mini setup. I reported all details to Apple and maybe 10.8.3 will have some improvements in USB3/BT/WiFi compatibility:)))
If the OP needs more powerful BT, then a Class One dongle might help - although there do exist devices such as the IRcable Host XR3 which claim up to 30 kilometres!

One old problem that I had with a previous Apple BT mouse - it somehow became logged-on to my PlayStation3 which was in another room, that did take a few hours to solve!
 
I am posting to let everyone know that I had this issue.

In this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1511900/

I posted a pic of my initial setup and you can see the USB cable for the keyboard.

During initial setup the trackpad paired, then the mini asked for the keyboard code to be entered. Upon entering the code and pressing return after a short delay I would be returned to the code entry screen.

The mini and keyboard could obviously see each other as the screen progressed when I pressed enter.

As I had a USB keyboard connected to another computer I just plugged it in and carried on. The wireless keyboard connected using System Preferences > Keyboard and has been fine ever since.
 
It can be done! As long as your mouse it working that is. Click through until you get to the create a computer account page. Next right click into any text box and select substitutions then click substitutions. In the dialog that appears click text preferences. Finally the keyboard settings menu will appears and you can use the set up Bluetooth keyboard feature ! I was not about to buy another keyboard just for this.
 
Huh?

You absolutely can pair an out-of-the-box Mini with an out-of-the-box bluetooth keyboard.

I've done so twice.

Just restart and try again, this time turning the iPad Bluetooth off.

Do people really think Apple would sell a BT keyboard/mouse with a Mini and then force you to use a wired keyboard?

C'mon...
 
It could have been a number of issues. Im guessing it was probably because it was not an out of the box apple keyboard. In any case I was sure to turn all Bluetooth devices off before attempting to pair. If you did not have the issue then good for you. I am trying to help anyone that has the issue.
 
I bought a brand new Mac mini yesterday and had the issue. I ended up on this thread via Google while I was troubleshooting it. So yeah it and old thread but it can still help those who end up here from a Google search. it's still applicable.
 
The problem is, once you have plugged in an USB keyboard, OS X won't prompt any more for the Bluetooth pairing. In this case you will have to use an USB keyboard to do so. Probably you could also use screen sharing, if you have another Mac running. That at worked at least a few years ago with the server edition of OS X.

So, if you're about to reset a Mac to factory defaults, better use a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard and don't forget to zapp the PRAM.
 
Man I'm glad people keep opening posts so old that the OP probably doesn't even own the same equipment anymore, or maybe is still no longer among the living.

Now that the new minis are out there doesn't seem to be a lot to talk about regardless of whether the 2014s are good or bad.
 
Doesn't matter if it is an old thread, it can still be a current issue.

I just went through it with a 2012 mac mini when trying use my existing keyboard and magic mouse.

No matter how I tried to get them to auto-pair, they simply would not. I had deleted them from the other mini, reset them according to Apple, yet they would not pair.

Without a USB keyboard I had to run to walmart and grab one so I could set it up. I already had a wireless mouse from a PC laptop. Once I finally got the mini going I found it was trying to pair to a trackpad not mouse.



Mike
 
My wireless keyboard and trackpad only paired when I took the batteries out and reinstalled them. Say what you will, but that fixed my issue with them not pairing with my new 2014 Mac Mini.
 
jwall9108 It can be done! As long as your mouse it working that is. Click through until you get to the create a computer account page. Next right click into any text box and select substitutions then click substitutions. In the dialog that appears click text preferences. Finally the keyboard settings menu will appears and you can use the set up Bluetooth keyboard feature ! I was not about to buy another keyboard just for this.

I can confirm this worked! Was having the same issue tonight with my new 2012 quad core Mini. Thank god there is a workaround.
 
#31
SOLVED!!! Mac Mini Setup Keyboard Fix

I just purchased a Mac Mini Server 2009 from Gumtree.
Plugged it in to my screen and usb wireless mouse, only to get to the Administrator Account page where I had to type info.

I couldn't connect my wireless keyboard, but eventually did this.


1. Right click in the 'Name' section
2. Select Substitutions -> 'Show Substitutions'
3. Click 'Text Preferences'
4. Up the top left click 'Show All'
5. This opens up the main System Preferences screen where you can then go to 'Keyboard'
6. Connect your bluetooth keyboard!

I hope this helps save some time for someone who struggled like me!


Good luck!
 
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Plugged it in to my screen and usb wireless mouse, only to get to the Administrator Account page where I had to type info.

A USB wireless mouse behaves like a standard USB mouse and not as a bluetooth mouse, so can be set up as previously mentioned in this thread. The people with problems have only bluetooth keyboard and mouse/trackpad on a system that had a USB keyboard previously attached.
 
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