iPad Pro Smart Keyboard not working

lol yeah OK, the NDA. iOS stability has taken a nosedive, three years and 27 pages of complaints about this ridiculous problem, but omg, better not mention I’m using beta software. This problem existed before I jumped on the beta, and it’s persisting after I’ve jumped off.

I don’t care about the NDA, I care about a functional, professional product that Apple stands behind, which they don’t.

I did a factory reset of the iPad, updated to 12.2 (don’t snitch, it’s not beta), and the problem persists.

It’s worse with the official 12.2 release — I have to disconnect / reconnect the keyboard an average of six times for it to be recognized by the iPad.

If anybody wants to buy an iPad, mine will be on Swappa soon. Bye, Felicia.

I also have IPad Pro 10 keyboard that I purchased 2 years ago and it’s not responding. Upon investigation I was told that I need to purchase a new one. This is not acceptable. I switched to apple 9 years ago and this product is really testing me if I should trust other apple products although my other apple devices have fared well

I removed the keyboard and noticed that the connecting edge was not straight, and the portion with the pins was slightly lower than the lower than the rest of the edge. Just flexed it a smidge to raise the pins and problem is solved!

I too feel very disenfranchised! I’ve been a loyal apple prod user —iPhone, iPad, iPad Pro, Smart Keyboard, Apple Watch, Nano, iPod — and after learning that they broke the $1 trillion dollar valuation and their products are less and less reliable, material quality included and their only solution is to spend more money to replace product. Not cool Apple, not cool!!!

I’ve had the same problem fro some time now. A few days ago I stumbled upon a YouTube video that suggested it was a contact problem. And playing with the keyboard connected to the iPad might be helpful. I tried it and was able to use my keyboard for the first time in a very long time.

My keyboard stopped working intermittently after 3 years.

I took it back to the apple shop. They checked the serial number and told me it was from a batch with a known error. There was no replacement cost (even after 3 years).

Step one - I’d check its not from a faulty batch.

I just figured out that if i change the angle to be more vertical it has no issues. I think overall this is an issue with the design of the case. After time it stretches or the joints become too flexible and don't hold the iPad at the proper angle for the connections to line up.

I have also been struggling with this problem for some time, it’s very frustrating!

However, I watched a YouTube video tonight which seems to have come up with a simple solution that has sorted it for me.

Even when the keyboard isn’t working the “Command” button seems to still work. Press it a couple of times then use “Command + Tab” to cycle through the open Apps and, low and behold, it works.

This is the first time for months that my keyboard has worked ... don’t know how long that will last though!

Give it a try and report back and let us all know if it works as well for you as it seems to have for me.

I had the same problem and now after the latest OS 12 ver it doesn’t work at all. This iPad is not that old for replacement. I am very disappointed in Apple. You had complaints all this time and didn’t do a thing. I doubt buying a new keypad will fix anything. We need a fix now.

Thank you.

It seems Apple finally has recognized this is a problem, and has added two years onto the standard warranty for a total of 3 years. I contacted Apple yesterday, and sure enough, they have replaced my keyboard. The new one is working perfectly.

So i have tried these steps and I’m still having issues on and off. The thing is I’m on iOS 12.2 and have been having this issue for a while now. I use this keyboard a lot i have two iPad Pro models both of them are the larger screen sized iPad, i switch between the two . At first i thought it was because i was swapping back and forth but realized not long after i stopped swapping back and forth that it was just an issue with the keyboard working in general. It’s annoying and for what you pay for these things it shouldn’t be malfunctioning.. I’ve only had the keyboard for about a year maybe two.. it’s annoying to have to reboot your device because an accessory isn’t playing nice, the whole reason i started using  products was because they just work., except for when they don’t. I’m wondering if because i use it on my lap, on a flat table sometimes on a pile of books or a little stand that is smaller than the base of the keyboard if that kind of usage has warped something and that’s why it’s intermittently being an issue or if its a software bug.. the biggest issue is that this is my favorite keyboard to use, i like it better than any other keyboard out there i just wish it would work lol.

Judging by the dates of postings, this is an ongoing problem. I've tried all suggestions listed, including magnetizing the switch above the number 2 and 3 keys. Using the magnet works on a temporary basis. But the recurrence rate is increasing.

My iPad is about 2 years old.

I'm not expecting much of a reply as it seems all possibilities have been covered. I'm not going to purchase another keyboard, this was expensive enough. So this post is just to support those who have already written. Apple need to sit up and take notice. Someone suggested a re-call? I doubt that will happen not after all this time. But we can live in hope.

My iPad Pro 9.7 Smart Keyboard is becoming less and less responsive. I am frequently having to restart programmes or indeed the ipad to get it to work. The iPad as a whole is becoming more and more buggy with he latest iOS updates- mail and safari freezing and web pages becoming non responsive.

Not something I expect from a piece of equipment I absolutely loved and had virtually replaced using my laptop at home - however due to these issues Ive been going back to my 2015 laptop!

Here we are near the end of July 2019 and I am sure there are many more people than on the 28 page epistle wondering what to do! My keyboard worked faultlessly until just over 2 years and was told by JB , “sorry, warranty time’s up!”

Went to Brisbane from Tassie (Australia) for a few weeks and did some MacPro classes at an Apple store , after querying the keyboard problem, was told by an experienced (7years) staff member that it was a known problem and to ring APPLE support as we don’t have genius bars in our state. Finally girded my loins and rang today.

There might be light at the end of the tunnel as tomorrow I take it into our Mac shop who are authorised repair agents to take a look at the keyboard for repair/replacement.

It’s like typing in two languages being switched between 2 keyboards.

Their hold music on the phone is enough to make you want to roll over and keep the thing!

Warranty valid or not. There is a program where they will replace the keyboard.

As well they should. The original iPad Pro keyboard had a bad design flaw. I have gone through two and am on my third one.

I can easily see where they made the changes and they took it even further on the latest gen iPad Pro Smart Keyboard.

It's an expensive part. Warranty or not, they owe it to you as a loyal customer and need to make it right.

When you get a replacement, make sure to copy the serial number down. You'll need that to get a replacement for the future, just in case. Sadly they chose to put it on the velvet side of the Smart Keyboard in tiny print almost becomes unreadable, but if you shoot video of the serial number with your iPhone instead of a picture you can get a clearer image. Trust me, the way they printed this, you'll need all the resolution you can get to read it.

Good luck!

MJW