I got an iPad 3 today but my smart cover doesn't work with it... Any suggestions?

New smart covers work with the newest iPad, older covers might or might not, has something to do with the magnets and polarity of them. I don't know that it is Apple's fault as much as progress and improving things over time. So, if your smart cover is over 6 months old, you bought it for your older iPad and it worked fine.

when did you get your smart cover? - this is a known issue with the early smart covers - Apple changed the polarity of the magnets in the iPad 3 so early smart covers dont work with it - if you got your smart cover in late 2011 or 2012 it should work (mine does)

I dont know what Apple's policy is about exchanging the old smart covers for people who have Ipad3's - but you can always ask - also the smart cover has a 1 year warranty so you might be able to get it replaced under that

I have tried 2 original cases and also 7 aftermarket cases and none of them will work for my iPad3. But everyone of them works for my iPad2 even though 4 (2 apple and 2 aftermarket) of them are made specifically for the ipad3, they will work the 2 but not the 3 correctly. You have to constantly adjust the unit inside and hope it doesn't move when you are doing other things. This is obviously a lack of quality control or a case of someone deciding just get it released and we will work on a new case later, something Steve Jobs would have never allowed to happen. If it didn't work you don't release it. But now that it's all about shoving things out the door to pick up the Capitol based on our existing reputation and people willing to buy our products we can use our power in foolish ways until the company gets known for these types of things and looses it rep. Face it had this happened when Steve Jobs was around he would have made the effort to correct it with all who bought the new products that aren't working right. What a cluster f$&@.

When you mention "original cases" are you referring to current generation Apple smart covers? If you read this thread you'll see that there was a revision to the smart cover line last year and some or all of the older versions (which look identical except for color) don't work properly with the new iPad. Solution? Buy a smart cover directly from an Apple store so you know you're getting the current version of the authentic product. If you recently purchased an older version of the Apple smart cover from a reseller, you may get it replaced for free at a local Apple store.

Oh and please ask some smart questions and do some research before spouting nonsense about Apple's poor quality control or decline after Job's death. The old smart covers worked perfectly with the iPad 2, for which they were designed. The newer smart covers work perfectly with the iPad 3.

Is this limited to the old Smart Covers, the one with the grey inside?

My iPad2 cover isn't working with my new iPad.

Take it to the nearest Apple store, tell them you bought it recently online (assuming it's not in bad shape), and they should replace it with the updated version that works no the new iPad.

The older ones sometimes had the magnets in the wrong position...

i havent read all the responses to this so it may already be answered - when did you get the Smar Cover? - Apple changed the polarity of the magnets on the new Ipad - Smart Covers made from late 2011 on work but earlier ones do not because of the polarity issue - I have a Smartcover that works fine on the Ipad3 because i got in in 2012.

I have heard (but cant guarantee) that Apple will exchange your Smart Cover for free for oe that does work on the Ipad3 - but you should contact Applecare or an Apple store to be sure

Ensure you have turn on the smart cover features on the ipad, and ensure the smart cover you buy are compatible with the iPad. New iPad 3: How to Enable/Disable Smart Cover

I read about the polarity thing too. I have for the sat month used an STM Skinny 3, but although they had corrected the polarity, it still didn't wake and sleep due to magnet proximity issues when the tab was engaged to keep it closed.

So, I went shopping for an Apple Smart Case. The way to tel the new case from old stock is as follows: on the front of the new one it has the words "iPad Smart Case" whereas the old one is blank. Also, on the back of the box on the bottom left, the fine print states on the old one it is compatible with iPad2, whereas the new one says it is compatible with iPad2 or later. So my Apple smart case works just fine with my New iPad. I have a Belkin ultra thin shell on the back, which has an additional magnet to hold the case flipped back, which is nice.

I think I solved it. I'm using an iPad 3 and my smart cover wasn't turning on or off my screen when shut, it was just a settings problem for me. What did is: go to 'settings' - 'general' and turned on the option "iPad cover Lock/Unlock". I must have turned it off by accident, but it works now. Hope this helps.

Hi guys all you gonna do is turn your iPad opposite , I had a case it's the same prob that you guys had it's not turning off when I close the cover but then I turn my iPad down and it's finally working hope it helps

Thank you, you've solved a problem Apple support seemed bewildered by.