iPad Pro Smart Keyboard not working

They did not say it was a problem with the iOS as is stated in this forum. It was simply a hardware issue. Once they replaced the keyboard the problem was solved. They apparently have a replacement program. The guy was not even surprised. I think they do not want to openly announce it. Anyway solved.

Hello,

This seems to be an hardware AND software issue related to ios 11.

After a call with Apple, they asked me to upgrade to 11.2.6 and also test this with another ipad pro (we all have multiple ipad pro isn't it).

I finally found a colleague with another ipad pro, and he was using a logitech keyboard instead.

The logitech keyboard worked fine on my ipad pro, and the smart keyboard worked for some times on his, but after sometimes stopped working (as we know too well).

BUT, when he hooked up back the logitech keyboard, this one was not working either! A reboot was mandatory.

We were able to reproduce the issue on both ipad pro.

SO, it seems that the keyboard, when aging, has bad connection and may have intermittent disconnect, that ios 10 was managing well. SINCE ios 11, intermittent disconnect seems to put the software in a buggy state (buffer overflow or something else) that can be solved sometimes through a reset (Apple procedure), but not always.

I will try another call with Apple to have my smart keyboard replaced, but I doubt the swap will last forever if they dont fix the software issue.

My two cents.

Thank you for this very infirmative information.

But we (1000’s) of iPad Pro keyboard owners are still waiting for Apple engineers to fix this in either an updated iOS, or a redesigned keyboard or both.

Fully agree, and very disapointed by Apple support and lack of transparency on that one.

Being a software engineer myself, should not be that difficult to reproduce in a dev environment and get it fixed.

We should keep pushing and hopefully get a more stable SW version for this. This will not solve the design issue, but at least put us back on the state we had with ios 10 (which was fine for me at least!)

Actually it would be my third one. Hard to say. If they won’t then I’ll buy a new one and take advantage of the manufacturers defect part of the warranty. There’s certainly enough debate on this issue. BTW, both one and two quit working on IOS 10, and the second one wouldn’t work on IOS 11.2.6 either.

I don’t like the on-screen keyboard so a real, working keyboard is important to me.

I know what you mean. I don’t like the onscreen keyboard either.

My resolution, so far, is to use the standard Bluetooth keyboard. It only costs $69. and is small enough to carry in a small carrying case.

Good thought. I have one but totally spaced out on using it. When this one dies maybe it will just become an expensive stand. No doubt the little keyboard will sit right on top the ASK keyboard. But, all that would just **** me off .

The steps advise to take only work temporary and is not a fix. Apple gave me a new keyboard which work for a little while but suggested that if this didn’t fix it the only option would be to buy a new iPad Pro as it’s not worth fixing... I’m now 3 months out of warranty so this would be a very expensive fix to something I think is of their making...

Thank you so much for this response! I’ve had this problem for about 6 months, and your solution is the only one that has worked. I am so grateful, I use my iPad for work and had resorted to connecting a separate keyboard via Bluetooth. I hope this method continues to work but for now thank you again so much!! 🙂

This is ingenious. My keyboard has been wonky for about 2-3 months now. I followed your advice and put my iPad on a slight incline for a few minutes while using the keyboard, then placed it flat on the table again, and the keyboard works fine. If I have to do this every time, that’s fine. It’s a cheaper workaround than buying a new keyboard.

Its not just in the mail app or in adress fields... its basically everywhere, randomly! And even rebooting doesnt really help.

It really *****! I would have had less worries if it would be third party.. but this is native apple!

Same problem here. I’ve had two gens of iPad Pro now, and on BOTH...even the shiny new one., the KEYBOARD NEVER WORKS!! just says “ACCESORY NOT SUPPORTED” with a million popup windows one afer another... after another...after another...and I have to click “OK” again,....and again....and again... and again.... APPLE WAS THE KING OF USER EXPERIENCE. NOW THEY ARE ANNOYING AND HORRIBLE LIKE MICROSOFT USED TO BE... get your **** together Apple... Now covers with full back protection are not even sold for ipads anymore...sorry Apple. I wont be lesving my $$$$ expensive incestment unprotected and making my iPad Pro....’which is as good as a laptop” a disposable device. Unacceptable...

Any fixes for this ****** interface and user experience on your two production , compatible, sold at the same time devices Apple?!!?! un excusable that a $1300 device and its $200 keyboard dont interface _- USERS ARE NOT BETA TESTERS– get your **** together APPLE!

signed — lifelong customer - typed with my popup on-screen keyboard while my $200 keyboard accessory is attached to my $1300 iPad Pro, because my $200 ******* Apple accessory doesnt work properly... maybe its time i moved on Apple

Many ways exactly the same feelings and experiences. At Apple store at a set up meeting to get my iPhone battery replaced (another story!!!) but also took my IPad Pro with Smart Keyboard as a second issue whilst waiting. This keyboard had gone from 100% connections to finally randomly connecting and disconnecting until finally it was a really really expensive screen cover.

Testing etc in store connecting with other iPad pros, etc showed that it wouldn’t connect at all. Got a replacement under warranty and with no iPad system upgrades the new one works perfectly everywhere — read all of the hypotheses about Starbucks, variable wifi, reboots, etc ... in all of the situations where I had issues there are simply no issues at all.

Says to me this is a hardware issue 100% .. never looked at the insides of a Smart Keyboard but this new 100% working keyboard with all other things remaining the same suggests to me that with constant use some part of the mechanics/electronics/wiring? is deteriorating and this sets up a pattern of chaotic faults and final demise. Plus I am a very heavy user of the iPad and keyboard ... now barely touch my MacBook Pro.

iOS upgrades to me just act as an age indicator for the keyboard which in my hypothesis is much more fragile than it looks and may need to be used quite carefully. Simply faults increase with use and age.

With no way of testing I also feel that the magnet used in the new one is stronger since it snaps together with iPad much more vigorousl.

I am typing on my new smart keyboard that is working like a charm. If you are having issues keyboard, make an appointment at the Genius Bar. There is a service buliten on the Smart Keyboard. I am so happy to be typing on my iPad Pro again. Thank you Apple for making this right, really appreciate the customer service and taking care of this.

I have had this issue for a long time now and am frustrated, so I have ordered a third party keyboard to see if it works any better. All morning my keyboard has been “un recognizable,” and now I get to this website, and it is working. Go figure.