Magic Keyboard stops working when multitasking

I’m using a Magic Keyboard with my M1 12.9” iPad Pro (iPadOS 15.1.) Whenever I use any multitasking features the keyboard will stop working in one app or another. I can put the iPad to sleep then wake it up to fix it. This happens constantly. I can only go between Slide Over or Split Screen apps a couple times before having to put the iPad to sleep again.

I know a hardware keyboard was an iPadOS afterthought, but come on. I regret spending the $350 on something that is this unreliable. There are so many dumb things about this iPad that I’m ready to give up on it.

How many others are dealing with this? Is the sleep / wake process the only thing that works?

iPad Pro, iPadOS 15

Posted on Nov 29, 2021 7:37 PM

Top-ranking reply

Tanner220

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Jan 20, 2022 3:53 AM

Ive experienced this bug since 2018 when I purchased an iPad Pro and a smart folio keyboard. This is an issue I deal with dozens of times per day.

Here is the fastest fix that works for me:

-exit the app and go to your Home Screen

-press cmd+space to invoke the spotlight search (or pull down on the icon rows)

-try to start typing into the spotlight search bar using your keyboard

-disconnect your iPad from your Smart Keyboard/folio

-wait until the onscreen keyboard appears

-reconnect your iPad to the Smart Keyboard/folio

It should start working again after this. But anytime you're in an app and use split screen or float a new app on top, the issue will return.

I can't begin to describe how frustrating it is to deal with this every day of my life. It has made me not want to use my iPad.

And PS: Its incredible how unhelpful replies are on Apple Forums. I'd rather see no replies than specialists linking to completely irrelevant and unhelpful articles.

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Magic Keyboard stops working when multitasking

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