I cannot 'double-tap' the mac mini's power button to set up touch id. How?

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I cannot 'double-tap' the mac mini's power button to set up touch id. How?

How do I set up Touch id on my Mac Mini? I cannot 'double-tap' the mac mini's power button to associate my keyboard (as instructed).

Mac mini, macOS 13.2

Posted on Apr 2, 2023 10:12 AM

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Answer 1

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Tedder1300 Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 2, 2023 12:19 PM in response to hcsitas

I follow the directions which tell me to double-press the power button on the Mac Mini quickly. I do so, but nothing happens. If I press more deliberately, the power off screen comes up. I have tried this numerous times.

Notably, the power button on the Mac Mini is nothing like the one shown on the screen. In fact, the power button is on the corner of the Mini and is hard to press correctly. The first time I powered on the computer, I had trouble getting it right.

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Answer 2

Tedder1300 Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 5, 2023 09:55 AM in response to Owl-53

What confused me was the directions for enabling Touch ID on my keyboard. I understood that I was supposed to press the quickly press the power button twice. That did nothing but send the computer into shutdown mode. Finally, I figured out that all was required was a light double-tap. Then, Touch worked fine.

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Answer 3

Apr 2, 2023 12:28 PM in response to Tedder1300

Given the reported difference in the power button, can you confirm which Mac mini model you're using here?

Touch ID requires a Mac mini 2020 or 2023 with Apple silicon.

Here is how to: Identify your Mac mini model - Apple Support

Another way to check: the  > About This Mac will show either "Chip" (Apple silicon) or "Processor" (Intel x86). You will need the former; Apple silicon M1 or M2.

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Answer 4

Apr 3, 2023 06:13 PM in response to Tedder1300

Tedder1300 wrote:

Do you mean that Apple lies that Touch id works with the Mac Mini?

So far, it seems like a software runaround--why should I have to tap the power button?

Apple states Touch ID works with Mac mini Apple silicon configurations, with a Touch ID keyboard.

I see no indication that tapping the power button on a Mac mini is part of the Touch ID setup.

There are discussions of tapping the power button on some other Macs around Touch ID setup, as that power button is also used as the Touch ID button.

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Answer 5

Apr 3, 2023 06:17 PM in response to Tedder1300

I have found no Touch ID guidance that mentions tapping the power button on the Mac mini as you mention.

Perhaps you should take another close look at the guidance provided in the several support documents that hcsitas and MrHoffman have previously posted.

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