Keychron K13 Max Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Quick Start Guide

In the Box

• Keychron K13 Max Wireless Mechanical Keyboard x 1
• Type-C Cable x 1
• Manual x 1
• Quick Start Guide x 1
• Extra Keycaps Set x 1
• Type-A to Type-C Adapter x 1
• Type-A 2.4GHz Receiver x 1

Quick Start Guide

If you are a Windows user, please find the appropriate keycaps in the box, then follow the instructions below to find and replace the following keycaps.

Mac / Windows Keycap Replacement

The keyboard layout shows standard Mac and Windows keycap positions. For Windows users, locate the specific keycaps provided in the box (e.g., 'alt' and 'option' keys) and replace the corresponding keys on the keyboard. The image depicts the 'option' key on the left side of the spacebar and the 'alt' key on the right side, with their Windows counterparts shown below them for reference.

1. Connect 2.4GHz Receiver

Connect the 2.4GHz receiver to the device's USB port. The keyboard features a toggle switch for connection modes. Switch the toggle to the 'G = 2.4GHz' position to activate 2.4GHz mode.

2. Connect Bluetooth

Switch the toggle to the 'BT' (Bluetooth) position. Press the 'fn' + '1' key combination for 4 seconds to initiate pairing. The device will appear as 'Keychron K13 Max' for pairing.

3. Connect Cable

Switch the toggle to the 'Cable' position. Connect the Type-C cable to the keyboard's port and the other end to your computer's USB port.

4. Switch to the Right System

Ensure the system toggle on the top left corner of the keyboard is switched to match your computer's operating system (Mac or Windows). This toggle ensures proper key functionality for your chosen OS.

5. The VIA Key Remapping Software

Visit usevia.app to use the online VIA software for key remapping. If VIA cannot recognize your keyboard, Keychron support can provide instructions.

6. The Layers

The keyboard has four layers of key settings:

• Layer 0 and Layer 1: For the Mac system.
• Layer 2 and Layer 3: For the Windows system.

If your system toggle is switched to Mac, Layer 0 will be activated. If switched to Windows, Layer 2 will be activated. When using Windows mode, make changes to Layer 2 instead of Layer 0, as this is a common mistake.

• Mac System Layers: Layer 0, Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3. When Mac toggle is active, Layer 0 is primary.
• Windows System Layers: Layer 0, Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3. When Windows toggle is active, Layer 2 is primary.

7. The Backlight

Change Lighting Effect

Press 'fn' + 'Q' to change the lighting effect.

Turn Backlight On/Off

Press 'fn' + 'tab' to turn the backlight on or off.

8. Adjust The Backlight Brightness

Increase Brightness

Press 'fn' + 'W' to increase the backlight brightness.

Decrease Brightness

Press 'fn' + 'S' to decrease the backlight brightness.

9. Adjust The Backlight Speed

Increase Light Effect Speed

Press 'fn' + 'T' to increase the light effect speed.

Decrease Light Effect Speed

Press 'fn' + 'G' to decrease the light effect speed.

10. Warranty

The Keychron K13 Max keyboard is highly customizable and easy to rebuild. If any keyboard components malfunction during the warranty period, Keychron will replace only the defective parts, not the entire keyboard.

11. Factory Reset

Troubleshooting? Don't know what's going on with the keyboard?

1. Download the correct firmware and QMK Toolbox from the Keychron website.
2. Unplug the power cable and switch the keyboard to Cable mode.
3. Remove the space bar keycap to locate the reset button on the PCB.
4. Hold the reset key, then plug the power cable into the keyboard. Release the reset key after 2 seconds; the keyboard will enter DFU mode.
5. Flash the firmware using the QMK Toolbox.
6. Factory reset the keyboard by pressing 'fn' + 'J' + 'Z' for 4 seconds.

K13 Max Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Specifications

LED Status Overview

K13 Max Wireless Mechanical Keyboard Overview

The keyboard features various indicators and switches:

• Caps Lock Indicator: Indicates when Caps Lock is active.
• BT / 2.4G Indicator: Shows the status of Bluetooth or 2.4GHz connection.
• Type-C Port: For wired connection and charging.
• 2.4G / Cable / BT (Connection Mode Toggle): Switch between 2.4GHz, wired, and Bluetooth modes.
• Win/Android Mac/iOS (OS Toggle Switch): Switch between operating system layouts.
• Battery Indicator: Shows battery status.

Default Key Layout

Layer 0 (Mac System)

This layer is activated when the keyboard's system toggle is switched to Mac. It includes standard alphanumeric keys, function keys (F1-F12), and Mac-specific keys like 'Scr-', 'Scr+', 'MCtl', 'LPad', 'Brght-', 'Brght+', 'Prvs', 'Play', 'Next', 'Mute', 'Vol-', 'Vol+', 'Left Shift', 'Left Ctrl', 'LOpt', 'LCmd', 'Right Shift', 'RCmd', 'ROpt', 'MO(1)', 'RCtl'.

Layer 1 (Mac System - fn/MO(1) activated)

This layer is activated when the keyboard's system toggle is switched to Mac and the 'fn/MO(1)' key is pressed. It includes keys for Bluetooth hosts (BTH1, BTH2, BTH3), 2.4G, RGB Toggle, RGB Mode (Md+, Md-), Brightness (Brght+, Brght-), Hue (Hue+, Hue-), Saturation (Sat+, Sat-), RGB Speed (SPI, SPD), Battery (Batt), and NKRO.

Layer 2 (Windows System)

This layer is activated when the keyboard's system toggle is switched to Windows. It includes standard alphanumeric keys, function keys (F1-F12), and Windows-specific keys like 'Left Shift', 'Left Ctrl', 'LWin', 'LAlt', 'Right Shift', 'RAlt', 'RWin', 'MO(3)', 'RCtl'.

• LWin: Left Windows key
• LAlt: Left Alt key
• RAlt: Right Alt key
• RWin: Right Windows key

Layer 3 (Windows System - fn/MO(3) activated)

This layer is activated when the keyboard's system toggle is switched to Windows and the 'fn/MO(3)' key is pressed. It includes keys for Scr-, Scr+, Task, File, Brght-, Brght+, Prvs, Play, Next, Mute, Vol-, Vol+, Bluetooth hosts (BTH1, BTH2, BTH3), 2.4G, RGB Toggle, RGB Mode (Md+, Md-), Brightness (Brght+, Brght-), Hue (Hue+, Hue-), Saturation (Sat+, Sat-), RGB Speed (SPI, SPD), Battery (Batt), NKRO, and N.Lck.

Key Description

Function Description

Charging

Plug the cable into a USB port and the other end into the keyboard port. A red light indicates charging. When fully charged (around 3 hours), a green battery indicator will appear.

2.4GHz / Cable / Bluetooth Mode (Mode Toggle Switch)

2.4GHz Mode

1. Connect the 2.4GHz receiver to your device's USB Port.
2. Switch the toggle switch to the 2.4GHz option. The keyboard will automatically connect to your device.

Bluetooth Mode

1. Switch the toggle switch to the Bluetooth option.
2. Backlighting will turn on.
3. Hold 'fn+1' key for 4 seconds to activate Bluetooth pairing (the Bluetooth indicator flashes fast for 3 minutes to detect pairing).
4. Search for 'Keychron K13 Max' on your device and connect it. The Bluetooth indicator turns off after successful pairing.

Switch Bluetooth Devices

Short press key combination 'fn' + '1' / 'fn' + '2' / 'fn' + '3' to switch to another device.

Reconnect

1. Switch the keyboard to the Bluetooth option to activate the keyboard.
2. The Bluetooth indicator flashes for 3 seconds and automatically pairs with the last paired device.
3. If the Bluetooth indicator is off, press any button to enter the connection again.

Wired Mode

1. Switch the toggle switch to the Cable option.
2. Connect the cable to your PC and keyboard.
3. Backlighting will turn on.

Turn Off the Keyboard

Switch the keyboard to the Cable option and unplug the power cable.

OS Toggle Switch

1. Mac/iOS

Switch the toggle to Mac/iOS when the keyboard is connected to a Mac or iOS operating system.

2. Windows/Android

Switch the toggle to Windows/Android when the keyboard is connected to a Windows or Android operating system.

3. Input Method Switch

For iOS:

• Input method switch: Ctrl + Space
• Caps Lock: Caps (Enable General > Keyboards > Hardware Keyboard > Caps Lock Language Switch)

For Android:

• Input method switch: Shift + Space

Troubleshooting

Unable to Pair Keyboard to Device

If unable to pair the keyboard, confirm your device is Bluetooth-capable. If so, restart the device and try pairing again.

Confirm the device is configured to accept Bluetooth connections (Windows) and supports an external keyboard (HID profile).

For Windows: Go to Bluetooth Devices > Open Settings and select:

• Allow Bluetooth devices to find this computer
• Allow Bluetooth devices to connect to this computer
• Alert me when a Bluetooth device wants to connect

Keyboard Not Working in Bluetooth Mode

For the computer/smartphone:

Go to your device's Bluetooth settings, select the keyboard, and remove/delete/unpair it. Then restart your device.

For the keyboard:

Turn the keyboard off and back on. Then reconnect it to your device.

Bluetooth Connection Interrupted Within 10 Meters

Check if the keyboard is resting on a metal surface that might interfere with the Bluetooth signal.

Third-Party Input Tools Not Compatible

Due to compatibility issues with Windows/Android OS versions, brands, and drivers, functions of third-party input tools may be affected. Ensure your operating system and drivers are up to date.

Certain Multimedia Keys or Function Keys Do Not Work

Functions of certain multimedia keys may be disabled due to compatibility, versions, brands, and device drivers.

• Multimedia keys: Screen Brightness Decrease/Increase, Backlight Decrease/Increase, Previous, Play/Pause, Next, Mute, Volume Decrease/Increase.
• Function keys: F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12.

Safety Precaution

Contact Information

Keychron, Inc.
Dover, DE 19901, United States

Find Keychron at: https://www.keychron.com
Support: Support@keychron.com

Follow Keychron on social media:
Facebook: @keychron
Instagram: @keychron
Twitter: @keychronMK

Designed by Keychron
Made in China

China Region General Agent: 渴创技术 (深圳) 有限公司
Executive Standard: GB/T 14081–2010
After-sales Hotline: 400-0766268
Address: 深圳市龙岗区坂田街道大发埔社区大发路24号文坑工业区2栋201