iPad Pro 10.5” Smart Keyboard Not Working/Intermittently Working

Rather than join in with the same complaint (and I continue to experience this same issue with my iPad Pro 10.5 failing to recognize the Smart Keyboard, especially following iOS updates), try the following:

1) go to System settings > General > Keyboards and see if there is a menu item for Hardware Keyboard

2) if there is, it should be listing the Smart Keyboard with option to change the layout;

3) change the layout from Automatic to U.S. or other keyboard layout that you want.

This will improve connectivity but it will NOT fix the problem 100% of the time.

If you do NOT see a menu item for Hardware Keyboard, press the power key to restart you iPad without having the iPad connected to the charger. Once the iPad is back up and running, check the System Settings again for Keyboards to confirm that the iPad is now recognizing that a Hardware Keyboard is attached. Make sure that you select the keyboard layout that you want instead of the default “Automatic”.

You may also need to use a microfiber cloth to clean the connectors on the bottom of the iPad Pro and on the Smart Keyboard.

Our Apple Genius Bar guy told me that this was likely a software glitch, and I would need to await an update to fix it permanently. That was a year ago. We tried a new Smart Keyboard in the store at the time of my reporting the issue, and using a new keyboard did not fix the problem.

However, the method I outline above has worked for iOS 13.4 until another failure occurs. I use my iPad Pro extensively everyday, and now I have this issue about once a day whereas previously I would average 10 times that amount of trouble.

Hope this helps some of you.

My Smart Keyboard is still working at times, however, I have found that it is unreliable. One solution that seems to be having success is stabilising the iPad and keyboard within the box that it is sold in. If you do not have this possibly build a support tray to fit around the iPad and keyboard. It is not a great solution but beats spending $199 AUD on a new keyboard which is the only solution that Apple offered.

My keyboard began having problems at two years old which the Apple tech support person thought was acceptable length of time. I, however, disagree. This product clearly has a design fault. Although I have enjoyed using the keyboard, especially as I have reasonable typing skills, I would now not recommend it to anyone. M

I have an IPad Pro 12.9 Keyboard AME which is only working 1% of the time at best. My IPad Pro was also not responding to my touch all the time. I updated my IPad and it still was not responding. They set up a service time with a 3rd party since all apple stores are closed. I spoke with Apple support yesterday and they said my warranty was over for both items. I called again today to try to figure out which smart keypad I can replace this one with and I would have to also get rid of the tech21 impact clear case I purchased and replace both with a Logitech Slim Combo Keyboard Case for IPad Pro 12.9” (2nd gen) for $199.99. The person in sales I was chatting with asked if the customer service rep at Apple care offered to replace the smart keypad with an after warranty replacement. I was cut off after being on hold for another 30 min. I googled how long is the warranty is on my keypad and articles from May 2017 Apple extended the warranty on the smart keypads to 3 years. Now I have to call them yet again.

Hello,

You are welcome to share your feedback with Apple using the following link.

Product Feedback - Apple

TJabbour,

I have had the same issue on the same iPad. My keyboard was replaced a little more than a year ago and so is used but seemingly in fine working condition. I just started having this hiccup where the keyboard doesn’t work 80% of the time starting a couple days ago. I am not sure what to do. Connectors seem fine. Everything seems fine from the outside. A restart of the iPad didn’t help. I am with you on this!

Interestingly, the post indicates (on top right) that I wrote this from iPhone. It was definitely written from my iPad. I’m typing on the screen right now. Maybe there’s a glitch in the software where it thinks it’s running iOS instead of iPadOS and accordingly renders the keyboard useless.

I have had exactly the same problem since I bought my iPad Pro (9.7inch) in 2016, I eventually replaced the Keyboard with one that was for the 10.5 inch, this has lasted about 15 months and it is now giving me the same symptoms as the original one, the original one worked for about 18 months.

You are all free and welcome to contact Apple Product support and service.

Tap on the first link below and scroll down some to get to the Apple Product Support section and phone numbers for your location/region.

https://www.apple.com/contact/

OR

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201232

Best of Luck to All!

I appreciate the update. Sigh...that is a bit disappointing, but still very helpful to hear. I wonder whether the company went to a new setup with the newer iPad pros–i.e. the connector points on the back with a case that is not removed so easily–in order to correct this issue.

I was about to buy iPad pros and smart keyboards for all my staff - but given the problem I have experienced ( Smart Keyboard only work intermittently without any fix from apple ) we are now looking at surface pros ( I love apple products but what choice do I have !!)

My entire screen, including keys, work maybe 20% of the time. Typing this message has taken 10 minutes. I truly despise everything Apple !

I have the exact same issue - Smart Keyboard on IPad Pro work intermittently very frustrating indeed