Smart case not working. Ipad Air 2 8.1.3

The Lock / Unlock setting is directly under General. See here

If the setting is not there as your screenshot shows, it's because the iPad's internal magnetic sensor switch has not yet been triggered. The triggering and the showing of the setting itself is caused by a required magnet embedded within the Smart Cover's front cover section. If you've installed the cover correctly and the setting is still not showing, it could be because:

a. The Smart Cover is not actually an Apple branded Smart Cover and could be a 3rd party knock-off which does not have the required magnet

b. If the cover is a verified Apple branded Smart Cover, it may be defective (magnet missing, magnet not in the correct position). Contact Apple or your retailer

c. The iPad's internal magnetic sensor is defective or not in the correct position. Contact Apple or your retailer

Genius Bar reservations:

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

Apple support:

https://www.apple.com/support/

It could be the screen protector...but it would seem to me that the sensor would not be that touchy since screen protectors are used quite frequently on iPads with no ill-effect. You mentioned it is a thicker one so that could be the problem. If that's it, be prepared to lose that screen protector...Apple may remove it in order to test the device. The best thing to do (as you are doing) is to take it to the Genius Bar and let them have a look. They have other Smart Cases/Covers there to test with the iPad. If it's found that the iPad itself is at fault, you'll get a replacement so do a full backup before going...it will ease things on your end if the device is replaced. Same goes for the Smart Case/Cover...it will be replaced if found defective.

One thing to try on a whim before going out to the Apple Store is a device reset...it likely won't help but if it does, you'll save yourself a trip so it's worth a try.

Device Reset (won't affect settings/data/music/apps/etc)

1. Press and hold (& continue to hold) BOTH the Sleep/Wake button & the Home button.

2. Continue to hold BOTH (ignoring any other messages that may show) until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

3. Release BOTH buttons when you see the Apple logo and allow the device to boot normally.

Be sure and report back what the Genius Bar's findings are. I'm curious to know what they found the issue to be.

Something fishy here. My iPad Air 2 running iOS 8.1.3 still has the Settings > General > Lock / Unlock option.

Jim, was the Lock/Unlock option in settings already enabled by the case magnet before your Air 2 was updated to iOS 8.1.3?

Maybe those iPads updated to iOS 8.1.3 before the setting is enabled are the ones that lose the ability (or so it seems) to have the option triggered by the magnet.

If this is a new "feature", I sure don't understand it. 😕

To the OP:

Did you ever try to reset the device? Maybe that will knock some sense into it. It's always worth a try:

Device Reset (won't affect settings/data/music/apps/etc)

1. Press and hold (& continue to hold) BOTH the Sleep/Wake button & the Home button.

2. Continue to hold BOTH (ignoring any other messages that may show) until you see the Apple logo on the screen.

3. Release BOTH buttons when you see the Apple logo and allow the device to boot normally.

Yes, of course, but I really doubt that iOS 8.1.3 has anything to do with this.

I mentioned a possibly miss-placed magnet in my first reply to you in this topic (possible cause "c"). These things happen. I'm glad you returned and posted the final outcome.