Noob considering dumping device due to keyboard / mouse set up snags

[slitherjef]

Got a M4 mini a couple weeks ago. Went to set it up last week finally after it sat inside the box for about 2 weeks. Anyway plugged my small red dragon keyboard into the Anker USB A to USB C dongle (it's wired) and the RF adapter for my wireless Logitech mouse into the next USB 3 slot on the dongle. Dongle plugged into front USB C port on front of the mini and power everything on.

Then during initial set up the mini complains it needs to set my keyboard up because it's not recognized, but it says it's a Logitech keyboard. It's not. My mouse is. Huh. So I open what it tells me to open to setup dialogue to configure things. Well okay I do, it tells me to press left shift or something and I do and nothing happened. So I just quit out of that set up box and keep going.

Keyboard seems to work so far like a keyboard and so does the mouse, no strange key presses but worried keyboard would remap after a reboot so didn't set a whole lot up and just looked around the new computer for a bit, plugged it into the Internet and did a little browsing. After a while shut it down for the night thinking maybe it was a fluke.

Next power up and same thing, couldn't set up my so called Logitech keyboard and wanted me to go through the set up. There is NO Logitech keyboard attached to this thing, only the mouse. Keyboard is a USB connected wired mechanical keyboard that seems to work but how much since it's not detected?

So since this is all confusing I'm sure and I can't get things out properly to explain right I'm sure, I'm at a crossroads...

Get another mouse and or keyboard

Or

Just wipe the device and pass it on to someone else since I can't return it.

I might see if I can borrow my sisters logi wireless mouse and keyboard (with single dongle connecting both devices) and see if the Mac mini likes it and go from there.

And going from there well if the Mac doesn't like her keyboard and mouse set up I'll probably wipe. If it does, I still might wipe the mini and give it to her (was thinking this anyway)

Or just spend even more money on the official apple keyboard and track pad...

What did I get myself into?😟

 

[MacCheetah3]

Foremost, when you say “dongle,” are you referring to a USB hub, such as:

https://www.anker.com/products/a7516?variant=40237697138838

... or USB splitter, for example:

Basesailor USB C Male to Dual USB Female Cable Splitter 1FT,Thunderbolt 5 4 3 to Double Type A 2.0 OTG Adapter Cord Converter Multiple Hub for iPhone 17 Air 16 16e 15,MacBook Pro,iPad Mini,Samsung S25

www.amazon.com

I ask because.. Well.. To quote an AI summary:

A USB splitter is generally different from a USB hub, though many products are mislabeled. A hub is a device that expands a single USB port into multiple ports by adding a small, active chip that manages the new connections for the computer. A true splitter, which is a simple passive cable, cannot connect multiple devices to one port and often doesn't work, as a USB port isn't designed to be split like an audio cable.

 

[Cuesca]

My Keyboard/Mouse are plug and play. Both the keyboard(MX Keys) and mouse(Mx Master 4) share a single USBC adapter. Maybe it's the keyboard that's the issue.

 

[chown33]

When I want a keyboard or mouse for basic testing, I usually visit a thrift store and pick something up for around $5 or even less. It typically has a USB-A plug on it, but I have a couple of known-good powered USB-A hubs and the requisite adapters.

It might help if you identified the exact model of keyboard, mouse, and Anker "dongle". It's also conceivable there could be a problematic cable.


To get the details of USB devices connected to your Mac, see here:

Get system information about your Mac

On your Mac, see details about your Mac hardware, network connections, and software, and create a system report.

support.apple.com

See the "View a system report" section, and in that window, expand the "USB" section under "Hardware".

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Next power up and same thing, couldn't set up my so called Logitech keyboard and wanted me to go through the set up. There is NO Logitech keyboard attached to this thing, only the mouse. Keyboard is a USB connected wired mechanical keyboard that seems to work but how much since it's not detected?

It thinks your Logitech USB dongle is for a keyboard. Read the screen carefully and it instructs you to quit if you have other, not-keyboard input devices plugged in and an already-set-up keyboard.

Next time it comes up, use the Quit button next to the one to continue. It'll remember not to bug for that device.

 

[CharlesShaw]

Or just spend even more money on the official apple keyboard and track pad...

That's what I would do, since I like them and both are so easy to pair by simply connecting the included USB cable.

And I hope all is well with you and yours, as only an emergency could have made me leave a new Mac mini unopened for two weeks.

 

[Cuesca]

It thinks your Logitech USB dongle is for a keyboard. Read the screen carefully and it instructs you to quit if you have other, not-keyboard input devices plugged in and an already-set-up keyboard.

Next time it comes up, use the Quit button next to the one to continue. It'll remember not to bug for that device.

The dongle that comes with either the keyboard and/or mouse for Logi devices tend to be universal, so one dongle is enough to connect to both devices.

That's what I would do, since I like them and both are so easy to pair by simply connecting the included USB cable.

And I hope all is well with you and yours, as only an emergency could have made me leave a new Mac mini unopened for two weeks.

Logitech is probably the 2nd best thing, I love my Mx Master 4.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

The dongle that comes with either the keyboard and/or mouse for Logi devices tend to be universal, so one dongle is enough to connect to both devices.

Yes, I'm aware. This is probably the reason MacOS sees it connected and says "ah yes, you're a keyboard!" even when there's no keyboard.

 

[Cuesca]

Yes, I'm aware. This is probably the reason MacOS sees it connected and says "ah yes, you're a keyboard!" even when there's no keyboard.

I never had that issue with my mouse being detected as a keyboard though. I've connected them both seperately before because sometimes I like to use my mechanical keyboards, or my Razer Deathadder. Both is detected via the Logi dongle as the correct device. The only time a mice was detected as a keyboard was when I lost my mice at an airport and had to buy a temporary one in China.

Another explanation might be OP has a keyboard in the house that also uses that dongle and it somehow is getting the signal from that.

 

[M4th]

I might see if I can borrow my sisters logi wireless mouse and keyboard (with single dongle connecting both devices) and see if the Mac mini likes it and go from there.

if her Logi wireless keyboard has an alt/cmd⌘ key, then it and the wireless mouse should work fine.

 

[slitherjef]

It's a Anker USB hub that I've plugged the keyboard USB cord into and the wireless mouse receiver.

On initial set up, I was greeted by that message to set my keyboard up (was working fine could type and everything) so quit out of it because it seemed fine. Thought that was that until a reboot and got the same message.

So an update I guess aka "throwing more money at the problem..."

Found some USB A to USB C adapters on Amazon which should bypass the USB hub I'm trying to use. Thought keyboard could go into one and straight into the computer and keyboard receiver could go into another into another port on the computer burning up 2 out of the 3 USB ports on the device.

I also remember a mention here on MR about a keychron k2 keyboard and looked it up. Figures it's on sale with a few minutes left so tossed it in the cart also... Supports bluetooth and wired windows and Mac with a switch and also comes with extra key caps. It explicitly says Mac windows and some mobile...

Hopefully it works.

So the plan would be the k2 keyboard via bluetooth and my little Logitech mouse receiver into the front of the minis USB C port with the USB A to USB C adapter and just not use the Anker USB hub.