iPad Pro Smart Keyboard not working

I've noticed that my keyboard has begun to wear at the junction of the keyboard and the rest of the backing panels, exposing what look like conductive wires. My keyboard didn't have any trouble until recently, and I've used it daily since around when the iPad Pro came out. My keyboard often fails now, especially when the ipad wakes. Seems to be a big problem with Safari searches.

Okay, 12.9" iPad Pro user here, with Smart Keyboard. I've had this problem for a few weeks now. And it seems only to be when I use my keyboard on my iPad—I tried my keyboard on someone's 9.7" Pro, and it worked. I also tried the 9.7" keyboard on my 12.9" and it worked too, no problems. But issues would arise when I tried pairing my 12.9" Smart Keyboard with my 12.9" Pro.

At one point, it stopped working completely after I downloaded the cool sketching app Linea. I followed Apple Support advice and it still wouldn't work, so finally I tried to delete Linea and restart. Then my keyboard started working again. I thought I'd never be able to use Linea again, so I asked for a refund and messaged the developers about the issue.

Smart Keyboard function was intermittent after that, but it would easily be resolved by restart-disconnect-reconnect. This would happen almost daily, but I never completely lost function. At one point, the "This is accessory is not supported" alert popped up when I used the Smart Keyboard and Pencil at the same time—I unpaired and then re-paired the Pencil, and everything worked perfectly fine again.

Until last night, when my Smart Keyboard completely stopped working again. I would get the "This accessory is not supported" alert, no matter how many times I tried to restart, disconnect, network settings reset, etc. So I guess it truly wasn't Linea's fault. (I will message the developers and eventually purchase the app again, don't worry.)

I was afraid I'd have to have my iPad or Keyboard replaced, and that process takes a long time here. (I'm based in the Philippines—no Apple Stores or Genius Bars here. Replacements usually ship from Singapore and take about a month.) I planned to wipe and restore my iPad just to rule out all possible software glitches before taking it to an Authorized Apple Service Center—I don't want to part with my iPad as I use it for work.

So this morning, I take out my iPad to start the restore process, and, lo and behold, THE KEYBOARD WORKS AGAIN.

I'm a little relieved, but I'm also annoyed. It seems to be a weird software issue. At this point I'm not sure what to do. Apple, please help us out!

Hey there BobBurns or anyone out there with this issue.

I am now on my third  iPad Pro 12.9" Smart Keyboard. I'm convinced that this is probably a design flaw.

For me, after about 5+ month of use, the symptoms start out as the keyboard not working when connected to the docking pins, then when it does work there is some intermittent functionality. Then after removing it, re-seating the iPad Pro, or restarting the device all together, it gets progressively worse, then barely working, allowing you to type a few keys, then it stops completely.

I also noticed that the "does not support this device" flag will start appearing for no reason. My guess this is a sign that the iPad is rejecting the Smart Keyboard.

Another tell tale sign of the failing Smart Keyboard is that the Virtual Keyboard will insist on being present on the screen when your device is still seated in the keyboard dock of the Smart Keyboard.

If I had to guess the flat ribbon cable in the spine that connects the keyboard to the 3 metal contacts just wears down after use, bending back and forth, over and over again, until it breaks the circuit.

Anyway, after discussing this with online apple tech support, I had to go to the local Apple Store and thankfully they were able to replace my 2nd Smart Keyboard. They ran a diagnostic on the IPad and then tested this on one of their iPads to be certain.

These are just my opinions and guesses on the issue, and then what followed. I have no other evidence other than my personal experience with it thus far.

These issues aside, I love this keyboard and really want this Smart Keyboard to be the only one used with the iPad Pro. I hope Apple gets to the bottom of this and the next gen Smart Keyboards are more robust.

I hope this helps!

Best,

MJ

I just got my IPP and smart keyboard. Keyboard worked great the first week, then I noticed it not wanting to work and giving me the "device not supported" error. Have found when my IPP is plugged in the keyboard works. Did a test on it this morning and that was the case. When I unplug the IPP the keyboard stops working.

Exactly the same message. The keyboard ended up not working at all. Went to my local Apple Store and had the worst customer service experience ever! Apparently it was all my fault! Apple product with an apple product and they didn't want to know. Didn't even bat an eyelid when I said this was enough for me not to buy anymore apple products. Clearly they have gotten too big that they can now afford to ignore their customers. Moving to surface pro as I know that works with its keyboard!

Mt67,

I really hope you don't go Surface. A keyboard isn't worth all that. If you had a bad experience, I'd go to someone above and explain that to them, your problem, your experience with that employee. They will fix it. Or I would take it to another Apple Store. I've had better experiences at the larger ones than the smaller ones, since they do the most business they are all about customer service. Shouldn't be that way, but I've noticed that.

As for this keyboard, I do love it! But, I'm convinced there is a design flaw with this keyboard. I am on my third one now. I think (theory) the flexible ribbon that marries the keyboard to the contacts and the cover just ends up breaking over time after the constant bending back and forth.

Apple has to know this is going on since this is for one of their premiere products. I recommend going to the online service specialist first, and let them know what is going on with your keyboard, then once this is documented and then you return to the Apple Store, they will see that you tried to get this resolved and will not be able to refute your issue. They will have to fix this for you, depending on the length of time you've had the keyboard and how well you take care of it, which I'm guessing is very well. What they did with mine is test it on their display iPads and could clearly see that the Smart Keyboard wasn't working.

Let them know how long you have had the keyboard, and then point out that you've researched the issue online and that this is a common issue on the Apple forums, because it is! Heck, I have even had an Apple Genius tell me that this happens a lot and they swapped me out a new one with out question!

This iPad Pro is a fine product and the keyboard is great! Not perfect but it's almost there. They need to get this keyboard issue resolved.

My experience, the smart keyboard works great new, over time, it has trouble connecting to the iPad, typing text fails intermittently, you get the error flag that your device is not supported, then it is only a matter of time before it fails completely.

Definitely take it to a manager if you get the same run around. All customers deserve great customer service no matter where you go. Apple Store or not.

Good luck, hope you don't jump ship to an even greater headache.

~ MJ

Hi ondaalta,

See my other posts on this.

It's the Smart Keyboard. Check in with Apple Support app to document the issue with their tech support. From that point they will most likely send you to the local Apple Store for them to take a look, which should result in the new Apple smart keyboard.

I've gone through three of these and I never abuse them. I think it's just the design. They will have to come out with a better one on the next go around.

The steps to reconnect the Smart Keyboard DO NOT WORK! There is a bug with the new IOS and Apple need to provide a patch or get something sorted soon.

It is unconceiveable that this KNOWN issues has continued for months with no support from Apple.

Please provide an update on the patch/fix for this ongoing issues or refung the money for the Smart Keyboard so I can purchase another brand that works!

Regards,

GDJ

I Have the same problem when will apple fix this. Not impressed I dont want to reset (shutdown) my IPad when I want to use the keyboard. Same with the battery chime and flicker sometimes when the keyboards connected.

In my case I believe that the problem is proper contact with the three pins on the smart keyboard.

On visual inspection it looks as if my middle pin is a bit lower than the outer two. After flicking it up with my finger nail I was able to get it to prop up a little higher.

I can get the keyboard to work much more consistently now.

However, I've noticed that I have to be a little more deliberate in seating the ipad into the keyboard. It sometimes takes more than one try to get the connection working.

I can now confirm that this is definitely a hardware problem.

I went to the Apple store. My Ipad pro had no problem with another smart keyboard in the store and, correspondingly, I could not get another Ipad Pro to work reliability with my keyboard.

Because I still had Applecare I received a replacement keyboard that is now 100% reliable. Nothing changed in software.

Best. ;-norm

Hi,

I bought my Ipad a few weeks after it was released for my birthday. I bought the keyboard with it but after two days it stopped working. After that, it has been on off on off (mostly off) but now it has stopped working altogether. I have tried everything and I went to the Apple store (to the person who sold me it) but they did not replace it because I did not have a receipt. I checked everywhere for it and all my email accounts but I do not have a receipt and it is very irritating and these things are not cheap to replace ( my warranty expired recently). Please Help

Tried 3 different keyboard/cases. Still have this issue.

I wish I'd known before I purchased the ipad pro.

Really disappointed that there is no solution. Tried using the disconnect, reconnnect/turn off trick without success.

Sadly, these solutions are not permanent. My has completely failed (less than a year old and in pristine condition).

Pretty disappointed with apple support. The only options were to take it into an Apple Store (nearest one for me is a 2 hr drive) or ship it in and wait a week+ for it to be returned. Productivity with the iPad pro is greatly reduced without the keyboard and when I asked for a replacement to be sent first... I was told, "sorry, we at unable to do that." Pretty sad for Apple not to help me in this situation. We had a dog collar break recently and the DOG COLLAR company responded more appropriately than APple did here. We pay up for these products and expect them to work. When they don't, you have to stand behind them without inconveniencing us!

Very frustrating. This is supposed to be a laptop replacement product... well not for the week+ that I don't have there keyboard!!!

Hopefully by now you have solved your issue with the Keyboard; however, if you haven't, a working way is to reset all your setting under general. You will have to reconnect your WiFi and things of that nature but you Keyboard should work again.