iPad Pro Smart Keyboard not working

My keyboard used to work with my iPad Pro until I upgraded to iOS 12 then it stopped working intermittently. Actually it doesn't work more often than not. I constantly get the "Accessory Not Supported" message. It pops in all the time. I have given up. There is a problem with the keyboard and the iPad that needs to be fixed from Apple.

Hi I have the same issue could nothing get keyboard to work kept getting message “this accessory y not supported”. Have followed the suggestions to fix issue but no luck.

Interesting as soon as i tried to sign in to this forum it started to work again. The first time for weeks. Prior to that it was intermittent. Thought it might be faulty but not so sure now. Looks like its a software issue!!

My Smart Keyboard started doing this late last year- it was purchased in jan 2016 but I never used it until recently. Now I keep getting the same messages as above. Took it to Apple who said to buy a new one. Out of warrantee so they won’t replace it. They never mentioned anything about a 3 year extension to the warrantee and there is nothing currrently one their we side. Probably a connector that has failed because of folding/unfolding the keyboard.

Thanks to this forum I have been able to read my serial number and contact Apple who have arranged a free of charge visit to the Genius Bar on Sunday. I will update on what happens.

In the meantime, I had long since given up in making my Smart Keyboard work and bought a replacement from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078NSNZKY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_pc5wDbA8YFSJ9

This cost me £15.99, works a treat and I actually think is better, if not quite as convenient, as the Smart Keyboard. It still fits in to my neoprene iPad case with my iPad and I now only use the Smart Keyboard as a (very expensive!) screen cover.

I agree that Apple have, and continue to, really let themselves down here. When I spoke to the support team they ran through some trouble shooting steps, all of which I had tried, except the final one when they asked if I’d tried it on a different iPad Pro … erm, do they know how much iPad Pro’s cost? I don’t have another iPad Pro!!

My keyboard for my 2nd generation iPad Pro 12.9 gives me issues sometimes. It won’t detect the keyboard at all. I went to setting and reset the keyboard dictionary settings and now it works fine. I hope this works for some of you!

Same problem. I contacted Apple support. They acknowledged the problem as a known issue, promised to send a replacement (free of charge, and then never sent the replacement. The supervisor I spoke to had to go and search her “issue database”. She came back on the phone and basically placated me with promises of a replacement and a follow-up email...all within seven days. Nothing happened besides receiving a message that I can go to the Apple store and buy another keyboard. Liars.

It seems to come and go. I bought a hard case with a keyboard that lets me rotate the iPad around (tablet mode and laptop mode) when my Smart Keyboard started not being so smart.

I think I'll hook it up to Xcode and see if there is anything in the logs, or put a logic analyzer on the three pads. Who knows. There's probably a crack on the keyboard PCB that is causing intermittent connectivity.

Interesting isn’t it, that this is an Apple discussion board and not one thing has been heard from Apple??

as tempting as the new IPad Pro looks, because of this fault in the Pro’s I won’t consider buying one. Another interesting bit of information I discovered in the long discussion was a suggestion by someone that the keyboard drains the iPad’s battery. I have tested this out and now leave my iPad without cover/keyboard and no longer need to charge it sometimes twice a day! The keyboard now is just use$ as a very expensive (and handy) stand!

Because, Apple has no will to fix this problem until user bring this issue to public.

The smart keyboard problem is not because of the smart connector, but the use of conductive fabric inside which has a life limit by repeat bending.

I found out that the battery in the keyboard needed charging. After it completed charging, I went to Bluetooth to check if it showed up. It didn’t until I held the Bluetooth button on the keyboard for a few seconds. Presto it’s good now.

This is a “known issue” to apple. Their CS reps don’t admit it unless pressed. They offered to replace at one point but just sent me a link to buy another POS keyboard. Take a pic of the product ID and save it.

The iPad Pro Smart Keyboard does not have a battery in it, it uses power from the iPad.

So if you did charge it then you don't have an Apple Smart Keyboard, you may have a Logitech one.

The Smart Keyboard does not have a bluetooth button on the keyboard

You don't have an Apple Smart Keyboard

Thanks

Things wear out, especially things that get bent a lot like this keyboard. It should have lasted longer but I guess those joints are hard to test. It’s not programmed obsolescence it’s just a rush to get stuff out and the consumer won’t wait. If you want a fix and to see why it fails, watch this https://youtu.be/buNYHzMZJdk

My Smart Keyboard case hasn’t been working for most of 2020 , Iv’e been in touch with customer services a couple of times and got nowhere.

I was on the phone to them today and I was told I would need to take it to a store to be assessed and I would be billed for the repair. So is Apple selling inferior products ? Because all Iv’e heard from people who have the 2nd Generation IPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard is that the keyboard after 18 month’s / 2 year’s will not work, and it’s not as if there cheap is it a few hundred pound’s down the toilet and Apple have the audacity to say you’ll be paying for your’e Smart Keyboard to be fixed .

Apple need to admit they have a problem and rectify it before there’s a class action suit against them in numerous Trading Standards Courts around the UK !!!!!!!!!

Yes the product has failed. In New Zealand they have taken the product off the market. When it was still on the market the local store suggested another brand of keyboard/stand instead. Regrettably it does not fit older Pros.

Incidentally my Smart Cover has also fallen to bits and i have just bought a non-branded replacement on Amazon.