iPad Pro Smart Keyboard not working

Get it replaced. I had mine today. Now it’s working as intended.

I used the first one with iOS 9, 10 and 11. It always worked. It then started having intermittent issues. Replacing it fixed it, so it’s definitely not a software issue in my case. It could be your case too.

The Smart Keyboard has a weak spot: the thin, soft stripe between the magnetic connector and the cover itself. Bending it over and over again by opening the cover, folding it on the back of the iPad and unfolding the cover/keyboard in viewing or typing position can put a strain on the electric connections that run inside that thin stripe, from the smart connector to the actual keyboard. I think this is what was causing issues with my keyboard, so you could check at a local Apple Store to see if you can have a free replacement.

I just got the new 12.9 inch iPad pro and keyboard today. I was having the same issue, but no message. After a quick web search, I found a 1 minute YouTube video showing a guy moving the iPad slightly to the side and it made the virtual keyboard go away. It's just not making a terrific connection when automatically using the magnets to line up the connectors.

For me it is very sensitive to the exact position of the three prongs on the magnetic surface of the attaching Smart Keyboard, and the three contacts of the iPad edge. If these are not perfect, it does no work. Even if they appear to be aligned or ”touching” it work. It means when it stops working, I have to re-attach very carefully. Since I noticed this it is reliably fixed with careful positioning.

Hopefully that is the same for you and not something more sinister.

I found this thread because I have this problem too with my 2 yr old Smart Keyboard, so I noted that several people recently have said that their keyboards were replaced in Apple stores. I contacted apple support chat and after a very short conversation which consisted of switch it off/switch it on again, wipe the connections, give me your serial no. I was offered a replacement. which has just arrived 2 days later. So far so good, it seems to be working fine.

I am somewhat suspicious that there is a known problem because as soon as the 2 obvious things were checked I get a replacement with no further questions.

I may have found a solution to this. I went into setting and deleted all the keyboards installed save for the English one (or whatever country your language is. Also this keyboard was not able to be deleted anyway.). The only other one I had in there was the emoji one. After deleting it I have had no issues for 2 days now. Before I could not go 15 min without it disconnecting. Clearly software issue in my case and I hope this helps someone else.

I have found a foolproof way to remedy this problem. As someone has suggested in another forum, it appears to be an issue of the magnetic switch that tells the iPad that it has a keyboard connected. If the problem arises, I lift the iPad slightly off the keyboard and run a small refrigerator magnet on the iPad around where the 2 and 3 of the keyboard reside. Once the on screen keyboard disappears, put the iPad back on the keyboard and it works perfectly. I have also found that this fix keeps working for some time to come and only occasionally do I need to go back and retoggle the magnetic switch. It’s been a pretty painless fix for me.

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.

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.

I would say that using the keyboard on your lap could certainly warp it enough to cause the Smart Connectors to lose connection. Apple has increased the warranty on these smart keyboards to three years. Schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar and if it isn't working consistently and Apple sees that, they'll likely replace it.

Either way, I would recommend using the smart keyboard on a laptop desk of some sort. One really great option and I use with my Brydge Pro Keyboard (which is all aluminum and doesn't use the smart connectors) is from Grifiti, who sells them on Amazon in various sizes. Here's a 13" option: https://www.amazon.com/Grifiti-MacBook-Notebooks-Keyboards-Writing/dp/B004SOMAWA/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=grifiti+laptop+desk&qid=1561345766&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Here is how my iPad Pro 11 in the Brydge keyboard looks on the Grifiti:

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

I called apple last night and the support assistant asked me to do just one thing: while keeping the iPad docked to the keyboard, hold down power +home bottom until you see the apple logo. I did and when it rebooted, the keyboard was recognized. It’s still working.

Hi AmyCrow6,

A cold reboot is not the solution to this problem.

I’ve experienced this problem enough times to know that this looks like a hardware failure.

I’ve gone through two other keyboards within less than a year of each other and of course got the flag that this accessory is not supported.

Use your iPhone video tool with the flash on to attempt to record your serial number and zoom in on it, because no doubt the printing of the serial number has been so worn it may be hard to read. I found this method to be the most effective way and being able to figure out the appropriate serial number. You will need that serial number to go to Apple in order to do an exchange.

If this is a generation one smart keyboard, apple had a program in place to exchange these poorly designed keyboards, though they never admitted this openly. As I said I’m on my third keyboard. I do not know if they are still honoring this exchange but this is the way to go.

If you cannot identify the serial number they will not exchange the keyboard.

This newest keyboard that I got from Apple seems to be design slightly differently and is more reliable.

This new generation of iPad Pro hasn’t even better design keyboard so I think Apple has learned from their mistake.

My advice to you is to try and get the keyboard replaced and if you can afford to buy an extra one as a back up because at some point this generation one keyboard will not exist and I’ve had my iPad Pro since it’s release in 2016.

Good luck with this!

Happy Thanksgiving!

MJW

Same problem, keyboard occasionally working and then not again. Tried a Settings reset but no luck. Apple Store actually suggested I buy a new keyboard. Then I tried a complete iPad reset and restore and hey presto, the keyboard is now working again. So clearly an Apple software issue!

I had this problem too for a couple of weeks. It was very annoying. I read a few of the posts in this thread and tried some of the suggestions and they didn’t work. So I took my buck knife and carefully, lightly scraped the 3 connectors on both the iPad and keyboard then I wiped them with an alcohol wipe. Let dry and reconnected the keyboard to the iPad and problem solved. No more issues. Maybe connectors oxidized over time. Happy all is working fine again. Hope this helps.

It seems that a lot of users are helped by ensuring good connection between the connectors on the magnetic strip on the keyboard and the bottom of the IPad, by bending the magnetic strip carefully so that the connectors in the middle of the magnetic strip is pressed upwards. Another trick that have helped people is to look for any metal spots in the magnetic strip which is caused by wear. To me, there were two such spots just above the "1" key, and they had resulted in clear wearings on the bottom of the IPad. Maybe they are crausing some short circuit problems, because several have reported that covering the metal spots with tape will fix the problem. It solved it to me :)