How to Type in Password on Mac without Keyboard

We all love our iPhones, iPads, and especially our Macs, but there will be that inevitable day at some point when there is some sort of malfunction. One such problem with Mac keyboards is that they tend to abruptly quit working at times. So how exactly are you supposed to log into your computer without a fully functioning keyboard?

If a Mac’s keyboard quits working, one can plug in a USB keyboard or use the lightning port on a Mac Bluetooth keyboard to still be able to type in a password. Also, the Accessibility Keyboard and Head Pointer can be enabled in advance to allow one to type on the screen without a keyboard or mouse.

Computer issues are among some of the most frustrating out there, but thankfully, most of these issues have plenty of solutions! Read on to learn a bit more info about fixing your keyboard, a few alternative ideas, some maintenance tips, and more. Hopefully, this will help you determine what’s wrong with your computer as well as what you can do about it!

Working without a Keyboard/Fixing the Problem

USB Keyboard

If you need to type in your password but your keyboard isn’t working, the first and simplest solution you can try is to plug in a USB keyboard to your computer. Most Macs have a USB port or two where you can plug in a cheap USB keyboard.

This should help you to at least log on and get your data backed up before you service your device. If you have a Bluetooth Apple keyboard, you can use the lightning port on the back and plug that into your laptop too.

Accessibility Keyboard and Head Pointer

The Accessibility Keyboard is another option, though unless it has been turned on in advance, it won’t work. Go to your Settings and click on Accessibility. There, you’ll be able to find further accessibility options, including the Accessibility Keyboard and Head Pointer. You can type with a keyboard on the screen with the mouse if your keyboard isn’t working.

If the mouse isn’t working either, this is where the Head Pointer will come in handy. The mouse will follow your head’s directions and movements on the screen, and you can use that to select the characters you want/need. The only catch is that both of these things will have had to be turned on before the issue occurs. If they weren’t, then this solution won’t work.

But, if you can log in with a different keyboard, then you will be able to go to your settings and turn on these features so you don’t have to keep using a USB keyboard until your keyboard can be fixed.

Bluetooth

If you have a Bluetooth keyboard that isn’t working, the problem may lie with the Bluetooth feature itself rather than the keyboard. You can try unpairing the keyboard from the computer and then pairing it back up again. Sometimes a simple restart is all you need to get the keyboard working the way it’s supposed to.

Apple Repair and Support

If you can’t fix the problem on your own, it might be necessary to take your Mac to the nearest Apple store where you can meet with a repair/support specialist. They will be able to help you determine what the problem with your keyboard is. If the issue is unfixable, they’ll help you determine the best course of action, possibly including finding you a good replacement deal.

Macbook Maintenance: Keeping It in Working Shape

Computer issues will occur at some point, and nobody has any control over that. However, there are a few things you can do to prevent them from happening more often than is necessary. Keeping your Macbook in good repair is important, so here are a few tips that might help you do that.

First, of course, you’ll want to keep your Macbook in a safe place. It’s strong, but also very slim, which means you need to keep it in a place where it won’t fall and break or get knocked around and damaged. This includes keeping it away from shelf edges and out of places where it might be exposed to moisture.

You might also consider giving it a good cleaning every once in a while. Taking soap and water to your Mac is a terrible idea, but you can use a rag to dust it off and some electronic safe cleaner to get in between the keys. If needed, remove the keycaps and get the grime out from under them. You’d be surprised at how helpful cleaning your laptop is.

The accumulation of dust on a piece of technology is one of the biggest problems you’ll face. Using compressed air to clean the keyboard and the fan is one of the best things you can do for your computer. Do this regularly, if you can, and try to avoid letting the laptop rest on fabric surfaces because lots of dust tends to gather in places like that.

If you need to clean the screen, do your research, and if necessary, find a cleaner that won’t damage your laptop screen. To be safe, you could stick to just using a clean cloth. One that you’d use to clean glasses or another type of glass surface is a safe choice and probably one of the most effective ones.

While this may not directly affect how well the keyboard functions, you would do well to keep your system cleaned and functioning as well. Take some time to delete all the unnecessary files and programs you might have cluttering your computer’s system. There are several programs or applications you could download to help speed this process up.

Part of this cleaning process is getting rid of all the unused apps you might have downloaded on your computer. Apps take up space and will slow your system down probably more than you might think. Carefully assess how much you use each one and get rid of the ones you don’t need/use as fast as you can.

You should run all the new updates on your Mac as well. Updates will often clean off any unwanted programs or viruses, plus they often come with new features and enhanced storage space. Keeping your device updated is an easy way to ensure that the system experiences minimal problems. Plus, you’ll be compatible with plenty of newer programs too.