Numbers iPadOS won't show keyboard and now won't uninstall or reinstall

I have a spreadsheet that I update every day in Numbers on iPadOS. Yesterday it stopped allowing me to edit or enter any data. I tapped the "Edit" icon in the upper right, toggled it off and on several times. The keyboard didn't ever show, even when I tapped the little green keyboard icon on the lower right corner.


I checked to be sure there's not an external keyboard accidentally connected by Bluetooth (turned Bluetooth off). I closed the file and reopened. I closed the app and reopened. I uninstalled the app and reinstalled. I shut down and restarted the iPad. After the restart, I uninstalled the app again. Now it won't fully install, won't open. There's a skeleton icon for the Numbers app (I don't know what else to call it). Not the icon with a chart on it, but one that is only a white background, a 5 by 5 matrix with 3 concentric circles and a large X in it, and "Numbers" below the icon. When I go to the App store to reinstall, it shows the "Open" option, not the download option (the little cloud with a downward arrow). I've restarted several times now. Same result.


This happened with several Numbers files, so it wasn't just the one file. And, the keyboard works fine with every other app (Mail, Messages, Pages, Keynote, Safari, Google search, OmniFocus, etc., etc.) Here's the iPad and OS info:

Software 14.2 (18B92)

Model name iPad Pro (10.5-inch)

Model number MPGH2LL/A


Any suggestions for what to do now will be greatly appreciated!

iPad Pro 10.5-inch, Wi-Fi

Posted on Nov 29, 2020 6:41 AM

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5 replies

Dec 6, 2020 2:26 PM in response to bethlehem433

Hey there bethlehem433,


It sounds like you're currently unable to download the Numbers app after experiencing an issue with the keyboard not appearing in it, and we'd like to see if we can assist.


Give the steps here a try to get the app downloading: If you can't download or update apps on your iPhone or other Apple device


Once you've gotten the app downloaded again, check if the keyboard appears as expected in, and check the file again.


We hope this helps.

Dec 6, 2020 4:30 PM in response to judysings

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, that didn't solve the problem. The Numbers app won't re-download.


I followed the guidelines and restarted the iPad. Then I went back to the App Store, and search for "Numbers." It shows the Numbers app, but with a box that says "Open" rather than the download icon of a cloud with a downward pointing arrow. When I tap "Open," nothing happens. The App Store seems to think that it's already downloaded.


Then I went back to the iPad home screen and long-pressed the Numbers icon (still only a white grid with gray lines on it). It produces a dialogue showing (1) the four most recently used Numbers files and, (2) below that, the options of "New Spreadsheet, Edit Home Screen, Share App, and Delete App." Pressing any of the files or any of those options produces no result.


It looks like the App Store and the iPad think it's downloaded, but the Numbers icon (staying as only a white grid with gray lines on it) function as if it isn't downloaded. So, that's where things are stuck.


Every other app that I use on the iPad works perfectly--except for the App Store as described above--whether it's a native Apple app or a third party app: Mail, Messages, Pages, Keynote, Safari, Contacts, Remote, Calendar, FaceTime, Books, Photos, Clock, Dark Sky, Kindle, Pandora, Google search, OmniFocus, etc..


So, what's the next step? I appreciate any help you can offer!



Dec 7, 2020 6:34 AM in response to bethlehem433

bethlehem433,


Thanks for those additional details.


Next, head to Settings > General > iPad Storage, and check for the Numbers app listed in the breakdown. If you see it there, tap on it, then select "Delete App" and restart your iPad again. Once it starts back up, see if you're then able to reinstall it from the App Store again.


Also, if possible, try connecting to another network to download the Numbers app.


Thanks!

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Numbers iPadOS won't show keyboard and now won't uninstall or reinstall

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