Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: Frequently Asked Questions

Questions answered in this document:

1. Do I have to use lithium batteries in the mouse? Do I have to use alkaline batteries in the keyboard? Can I use rechargeable batteries instead?
2. How long will the batteries last?
3. Can I use the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse with Microsoft Windows or Mac OS 9?
4. Does the Apple Wireless Keyboard include a built-in USB hub similar to other Apple keyboards?
5. Can I use a USB Bluetooth adapter other than the D-Link DBT-120 (Rev B2 or later) with the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse?
6. Can I use the Apple Wireless Keyboard to start up from CD, start up into Open Firmware, or start up in Safe Mode?

Question 1: Do I have to use lithium batteries in the mouse? Do I have to use alkaline batteries in the keyboard? Can I use rechargeable batteries instead?
Answer: Rechargeable nickel-cadmium (NiCad) and nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) AA batteries can be used in the Apple Wireless Mouse and Keyboard, as can non-rechargeable lithium and non-rechargeable alkaline batteries. How long the batteries last in the keyboard or mouse will depend on how much you use the keyboard and mouse and how old the batteries are. Do not mix battery types.

See these documents for more information on replacing the batteries:
Apple Wireless Mouse: How to Install or Replace Batteries
Apple Wireless Keyboard: How to Install or Replace Batteries

Question 2: How long will the batteries last?
Answer: The Apple Wireless Keyboard can operate on the same set of alkaline batteries for up to nine months. The Apple Wireless Mouse can operate on the same set of lithium batteries for up to three months. How long the batteries last in the keyboard or mouse depends on what kind of batteries you use, how much you use the keyboard and mouse, and how old the batteries are.

Question 3: Can I use the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse with Microsoft Windows or Mac OS 9?
Answer: The Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse system requirements include a Macintosh computer and Mac OS X 10.2.6 or later. Other uses are not supported.

The keyboard and mouse can be used with Mac OS 9 applications in the Classic environment of Mac OS X.

For more information, see Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: System Requirements.

Question 4: Does the Apple Wireless Keyboard include a built-in USB hub similar to other Apple keyboards?
Answer: There are no USB ports on the Apple Wireless Keyboard.

Question 5: Can I use a USB Bluetooth adapter other than the D-Link DBT-120 (Rev B2 or later) with the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse?
Answer: Apple supports using the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse with computers that have built-in Bluetooth or with the D-Link DBT-120 (Rev B2 or later) USB Bluetooth adapter. Results may vary with other USB Bluetooth adapters.

For more information, see Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: Compatible Bluetooth Adapters.

Question 6: Can I use the Apple Wireless Keyboard to start up from CD, start up into Open Firmware, or start up in Safe Mode?
Answer: If your computer has built-in Bluetooth or the D-Link DBT-120 (Rev B2 or later) adapter, you can use the Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse to initiate most startup commands. See Mac OS X: Keyboard Shortcuts.

Pressing the eject key as the computer starts up does not eject a disc from the disc drive the way a wired keyboard does. To eject a disc at startup, hold down the mouse button.

Note: In Mac OS X 10.4.2 or earlier, you can use a wireless keyboard to start up in Single-User mode or in Safe Boot mode, they will not work once the computer is started up in these modes. To continue in Single-User mode or in Safe Boot mode, use a wired keyboard and mouse. Download and install the Mac OS X 10.4.3 Update or later to be able to use an Apple Wireless Keyboard in single-user mode.

If you find that you are unable to use key commands at startup, make sure you have installed the latest Bluetooth firmware update, and that you are using a supported Bluetooth adapter. See Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: About the Bluetooth Firmware Update.