iPad Pro smart keyboard won’t connect, cannot find replacement online

First of all, forgive me for a lack of punctuation, but I can’t use my iPad keyboard.

I think I have a first generation iPad Pro 12.9 inch model, and when we bought two of these (about $1800 apiece) we also bought the Apple smart keyboards. Having this keyboard is critical, because my husband is a writer and we edit his books on our iPads. For several months, connecting my smart keyboard has been hit or miss. But for the past three weeks, I have not been able to get it to connect at all.

And before you answer this with the instructions about removing the keyboard it, restarting the iPad, and reconnecting, I’ve already tried that many times. It does not work.I have also tried cleaning the contacts, and that does not work either. I have also updated my iPad to the latest iOS version. My iPad and keyboard have never been dropped, have been kept in a case, and have been treated with great care.

I have tried switching out the smart keyboard with my husband’s iPad, and his works just fine, so I know that it is not the iPad, but instead is the keyboard.

The problem is, however, that I cannot find another Apple smart keyboard to replace this one. Amazon has some refurbished ones that don’t necessarily have good reviews. I am wondering if Apple has them somewhere where people can buy a replacement, or if there’s a way to take my iPad into the Apple store and get it replaced or serviced. Without the keyboard, the iPad Pro is almost completely unusable for the purpose for which it was purchased. And I would prefer to purchase or have it replaced with the Apple smart keyboard, and not a third-party keyboard. I have used an Apple Bluetooth keyboard with my iPad, but we purchased these so they would be small for travel. I don’t want to have to carry an external keyboard. We like the feel of the smart keyboard, and it was expensive.

I would expect that many other Apple users would need to get this keyboard serviced or to find a replacement. I’m disappointed that they are not available in the Apple Store anymore, as we have not had these iPads very long...I believe less than two years. They were purchased directly from Apple. If these are starting to fail, then Apple needs to have them available for replacement.

I have a call scheduled with Apple support tomorrow call mom so I’ll check back and let everyone know what I find out. I did notice on another thread having to do with this keyboard that there are almost 8,000 “me too“ votes for other people having similar problems. Hopefully we can find a resolution.