iPad Magic Keyboard backlight not turning off. Draining battery when iPad is not being used.

Well, It's June 19th and my Magic Keyboard has been working correctly since I had to reset it on June 12th. On the 12th I tried the process of closing Apps one at a time to see if any Apps were the culprit. Did not result in the iPad Magic Keyboard staying on so that did not resolve the issue for using non Apple Apps. I hope folks will continue posting here at least until we see a software update that addresses the problem.

You may have an issue with your keyboard. Apple would only issue an update if there is a documented issue effecting lot's of users. This is not a universal issue and as I've stated, not an issue I've had with my Magic Keyboard once. You should address this with Apple directly.

Sure, I hear you re: Apple forums. Already contacted Apple multiple times (including the 2 times spent on the phone with tech support which led to the 2 keyboard replacements). We have done nothing to our iPads (i.e. no screen protectors), so they either have a serious hardware defect problem they're failing to acknowledge, or there is clearly some software-related bug. We are not using any unusual third party apps... we're only using Apple apps and/or Top 10-level third party apps (kindle app, Notability).

And, again, I would suggest: Apple should acknowledge/explain this bug, even if they're convinced it's caused by certain apps not handling keyboard/lighting properly (i.e. software bugs).

Apple's response has been non-existent, other than sending these keyboards and us being told "there's no official report/response to this issue" whenever we've spoken with Apple tech support.

Which is why there are so many frustrated Apple customers saying "WTH Apple?!" Very disappointing.

And in answer to your last question: SOMETIMES the lights go out when you lock. And then sometimes they stay on. When they stay on, any adjustment of the keyboard light level slider has no effect. A clear indicator that it's once again gotten "stuck" in that buggy mode. The only solution is to disconnect and re-connect the keyboard. Which is a nuisance at best. But when the lights decide to go on while it's already closed and you're not around to see it, thats when it really drains your battery and you return to a dead ipad.

I've owned 3 magic keyboards and they all do the same thing. Definitely a software bug.

Well now it’s June 22, 2020 and I find that my ipad is at about 10% power after not being used for 1 day. I noticed before I opened it that the keyboard lights were on - really irritating. The only apps that I was using were Apple apps. The app “Things” I was using before I closed down the keyboard, but I believe I shut it down. This is not acceptable. I am going to start a dialog with Apple about a replacement. They don’t seem to be coming out with a fix or a patch of some kind and I need a keyboard I can depend on. Anyone else have additional comments, or any communication with Apple?

After our experience with multiple keyboards on multiple iPad Pros, I think it's safe to say it's either a software bug, or a combination of hardware/software. Apple needs to dig in and figure this out. I'm guessing many more people are experiencing this than are posting in forums.

Purchased the Apple "Magic Keyboard" for the Apple iPad 11 pro on 4.25.20 and paid the big $$$. The backlit keys are not turning off when the iPad turns off or closes. Then next time you use the iPad, oh, dead battery. Yes a reset will fix this so will disconnecting the iPad from the keyboard for a moment. Then in no time it's back to not turning off again. It is obvious Apple has a known issue. So with a keyboard very well inside warranty, and a known issue, you'd think they would just replace it. Nope, you get the run around and then they want you to be without a keyboard in the meantime. Nice Apple for a $300 keyboad.

It’s universal!! I am from Malaysia and bought online from Apple (I think they shipped from Singapore). I have the same issue - backlit light on the MK is not sync with the iPad Pro display.

I’ve been in contact with Apple support but they are really not helpful and did not solve the problem.

Happy for you. But... I suggest you give it time ;) Reality is--this is a problem for many magic keyboard owners, and Apple still has not addressed it. It's not imaginary--it's a real problem. Apple needs to address it. We've had 2 keyboards replaced, and it still happens (we own 2 12.9" iPad Pros and 2 11" iPad Pros) on both 12.9" iPad Pros. We've simply accepted it as a software issue for now--and if it persists months from now, we will contact Apple support again for an update. We have purchased many Apple products, but that doesn't change the fact that Apple does make mistakes, does release products with bugs (all companies do) and this keyboard issue is a glaring one they need to own up to. It is very frustrating to contact their support people and they simply say it's an unknown issue at the moment.

I use both browsers and the back lights go off as they should in all cases.

I'm curious if anyone who is having an issue with the back lights not going off, have a screen protector on their iPad, which does NOT have a cutout for the sensors.

I've come to this forum, as a customer suffering from this bug, to offer the possibility that this is a bug in software. Possibly hardware has some play, but after having received 2 new keyboards that do the same, I am convinced it is primarily a software issue. I am a customer coming to Apple forums to express my concern and my customer experience. It is Apple's job to investigate, debug and fix. If you had read through the whole thread, perhaps you would have seen my previous feedback here.

I simply found it pointless to come here and say "it works for me". It's already been long established (if you read the thread) that it does not repro 100%.

That's why I thought a comment like "I use both browsers and the back lights go off as they should in all cases." doesn't exactly add to the discussion. Which, when I saw your points level, struck me as humorous.

Make sense?

So it’s July 16th. Just upgraded to iPad OS 13.6. Nothing mentioned about a fix for this problem. Once I updated, I kept an eye on issues that concern me regarding the Magic Keyboard. The light sensor appears to be working and adjusting as I would expect. The keyboard dims if I don’t type for a period of time, and then immediately comes on as I touch the keyboard. The cursor functions properly and does not disappear. When I close the iPad against the MK it takes a few seconds, but both the iPad and the keyboard backlight turns off. I used the iPad all day for emails and texting - as well as some basic writing and work on spreadsheets. Power is down to about 50% so it seems that things have improved 🤞 I will report back to see if overnight it drains to 0 power.

How this helps folks to review their own results. Please post how your MK reacts if you update.

I got to experience the issue first hand last night. Vs walking in and finding the light on.

I was watching YouTube via the app. Keyboard light was off.

All of a sudden the controls appeared over true video, as though I’d hovered over the screen, but I hadn’t. The keyboard light come on and stayed on.

This makes me think it’s related to the trackpad.

I‘m on my 12.9“ iPad with iPadOS 13.6. Still the same problem. It‘s easy to see it in the darkness, but not during daylight. Disconnecting the iPad from the keyboard helps, but this cannot be a solution.