Apple has quietly released updated Magic Keyboard models for Mac, bringing a small visual change to several familiar keys. The new versions replace written key labels with symbols, or glyphs, on the U.S. English layout.
Apple replaces text labels with symbols
The updated keyboards remove words from keys including Tab, Caps Lock, Shift, Return, and Delete. Apple now uses the corresponding symbols instead, giving the standalone Magic Keyboard a design that matches its latest MacBook keyboards.
Apple introduced the same approach on newer MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Neo models earlier this year. Several European keyboard layouts already use these glyphs, so the biggest change applies to customers using the U.S. English layout.
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Full-size models receive a few additional changes. Home, Page Up, Page Down, End, Clear, and Enter also switch from written labels to symbols on keyboards equipped with the numeric keypad.
Magic Keyboard prices remain unchanged
Apple has updated four configurations:
- Magic Keyboard: $99
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID: $149
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad, white keys: $179
- Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad, black keys: $199
The older Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad without Touch ID has not received the revised U.S. English key labels.
Beyond the new keycap markings, Apple has not announced hardware or functionality changes. The keyboards continue to use USB-C, Bluetooth, rechargeable batteries, and the same general layouts as before. Apple made the refreshed models available immediately alongside its latest Mac mini and Mac Studio announcements on August 25.

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