The Enigma of Apple’s Extended Magic Keyboard
Introduction
Apple has long been celebrated for its innovation, sleek design, and user-friendly products. The Magic Keyboard, a popular accessory for Apple devices, is widely regarded as a marvel of engineering. However, one puzzling aspect of the Apple ecosystem has left users scratching their heads: the extended Magic Keyboard’s F13-F19 keys are seemingly locked and inaccessible for customization. In this post, we delve into the mystery surrounding these keys, exploring the reasons behind their limited functionality and the potential for future customization.
The Standard Magic Keyboard
Before we delve into the extended Magic Keyboard’s enigmatic F13-F19 keys, let’s take a moment to examine the standard Magic Keyboard’s layout. It features the traditional function keys (F1-F12), which perform various tasks depending on the active application or operating system. These keys offer a degree of customization, allowing users to assign specific functions to suit their workflow or preferences. Apple’s attention to user customization is usually exceptional, making the restricted nature of the extended Magic Keyboard’s additional keys all the more intriguing.
The Extended Magic Keyboard’s Hidden Potential
The extended Magic Keyboard, primarily designed for the iMac Pro, boasts additional function keys labelled F13-F19, located above the standard function keys. Unlike their predecessors, however, these keys remain stubbornly inaccessible for customization through traditional means. Apple has not provided a built-in way to reassign or program the F13-F19 keys within macOS or iOS settings. This limitation has frustrated power users, creatives, and professionals who seek to optimize their workflows and streamline repetitive tasks.
Speculation and Possible Explanations
Apple’s decision to lock down the F13-F19 keys could be attributed to various reasons. One possibility is that Apple intended them for internal development and debugging purposes, allowing engineers and developers to execute specific functions during the product’s creation. By disabling customization, Apple may have sought to maintain stability and uniformity across devices, avoiding potential conflicts or unintended consequences arising from user-assigned functions.
Another potential explanation lies in Apple’s meticulous design philosophy. The company has always placed a strong emphasis on simplicity and ease of use. It is possible that Apple chose to limit customization options for the extended Magic Keyboard to maintain a consistent user experience, ensuring that all users encounter the same set of familiar functions across devices.
The Future of Customization
While the mystery of the inaccessible F13-F19 keys on the extended Magic Keyboard persists, there is hope for customization enthusiasts. Apple has a history of responding to user demands and refining its products based on feedback. With the growing number of power users and professionals in the Apple ecosystem, it would not be surprising if Apple acknowledges the desire for customization options and offers a solution in future software updates.
Third-party applications and utilities have emerged to fill the customization void, providing workarounds that allow users to assign functions or macros to the unused keys. While these solutions may not be as seamless as built-in system customization, they offer a glimpse of the possibilities and further highlight the demand for enhanced customization options within the Apple ecosystem.
Summary
While some of the utilities I have in my armoury have allowed some partial customisation of these extended function keys, none have gone the whole hog. Even the old stalwarts like Better Touch Tool or Keyboard Maestro fail to allow me to customise the keys as I wish.
The extended Magic Keyboard’s locked F13-F19 keys have presented users with a mystery in plain sight within the Apple ecosystem. As we’ve explored possible reasons behind this limitation, it becomes clear that Apple’s dedication to simplicity and consistency may be at the heart of the issue. However, the ever-growing community of power users and professionals demands greater customization options.
While we may not have all the answers at this point, it is encouraging to see third-party solutions emerging to cater to users’ desire for personalized experiences. With Apple’s track record of listening to its user base, we can remain hopeful that future software updates may unlock the full potential of the extended Magic. But looking back on Apple’s progress in customisation, we’ve also learnt that what Apple giveth, Apple may also taketh away. Our ability to customise macOS, in particular, can often come at a cost. Be careful what you wish for!
I am a semi-retired independent management consultant specialising in organisational change management and better Ways of Working. I’m from the UK but based in Prague in the Czech Republic. I mainly write about developing better ways of working, working in the Apple ecosystem, and my adopted home in Prague. I’m still fairly new to Medium (so please be gentle with me!), but if you’ve enjoyed this, please check out some of my other articles or even follow me if you’d like to be notified when I publish new material.