Smart Keyboard won’t work with iPad Pro

Apple has a special replacement program for the Smart Keyboard. If it's failed within 3 years you can get it exchanged at the Apple Store, Apple Authorized Service Provider, or through Apple directly.

This is definitely something that the Apple Store's are used to dealing with.

Just make a Genius Bar appointment or an appointment with an Apple Authorized Service Provider. If your iPad Smart Keyboard hasn't been physically damaged/abused they are replacing them for free.

They've been doing this for about the past year. As far as I know, they're still doing this. You can also do it via mail-in but this does require a refundable deposit be paid.

Most of those posts appear to be from 2016/2017 before they started doing this. Just give Apple a call directly or make a Genius Bar appointment is my best advice.

Hi, joec999,

Having read several posts about nonresponsive Smart Keyboards (you might want to ‘search’ posts on this forum yourself), it seems most had to do with the quality of connections with the keyboard tray and/or the small connectors on the bottom of the iPad. It seems, over time, the keyboard wasn’t quite connecting, due to the keyboard try either being filled with debris or with it, actually, being bent to a slight degree?

For example, here’s one YouTube illustration, too, of the connector not quite aligning: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CahDBNBmah0

After checking that closely, if all else fails, you can initiate a chat or call with Apple directly: https://support.apple.com/contact

Hope this helps!

Hi, rcosta887,

I tried to do a little digging on this supposed policy, after having read from September (and Apple Recommended) that no such policy exists. Was there anything, anywhere, in writing?

In the end, I did, indeed (CNET) find an “internal” memo about it — while it seems to have never hit Apple’s “Official List” — but it seemed that memo had to do with late ‘15 or early ‘16 keyboards for which, by now, any supposed 3-year policy would have expired.

In the formal Exchange/Repair Program advice, it seems such a warranty does exist on certain Macbooks however:

— Apple’s Exchange/Repair Extension Programs: https://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/

— CNET (specific Apple memo @ 9 to 5 mac): https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-smart-keyboard-warranty-repair-extension/

— MacRumors (and denial noted at the end): https://www.macrumors.com/2017/05/08/apple-initiates-ipad-smart-keyboard-service-policy/

— Apple Insider (varied success): https://forums.appleinsider.com/discussion/205056/apple-offers-up-extended-repair-program-for-defective-ipad-pro-smart-keyboards#latest

And, finally, the recent post with Apple confirming there is no such policy:

— Other September ‘18 forum discussion: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8553331

It would seem, from glancing thru some of the many discussion, some folks were able to get their keyboards replaced while others weren’t.

Hope this helps!

PS Here’s another LONG thread on the Apple Smart Keyboard: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7614311