iPad Pro Smart Keyboard not working

Apple needs to correct this ASAP....it works once, then not. Stand on your head, look to the left, they it might work. It’s not hardware bad use i have the same issue in using my old keyboard and a brand new one rigot outta the box. Maybe time for a Surface Pro !!!

I too just had this happen. I disconnected the Smart Keyboard, cleaned the contacts andrecepticle, powered down my iPad Pro 9.7, reattached the keyboard, fired it back up, and was able to log on using the keyboard. When I then tried to type, there was no response. I tilted the whole iPad, and then I could type. This is weird.

I’ve had this problem and found a workaround:

For some reason, while the letter keys intermittently dont work in a text field, the COMMAND and TAB keys work.... and for some unknown reason, if I COMMAND+TAB out of the app I was trying to input type, then COMMAND+TAB back in... It works. And then it works flawlessly until the next time it wakes up and suffers again.

Absolutely no idea why this works, but I didnt see this solution posted anywhere else, so I’m sharing it now.

So yea. CMD+TAB out of your app then back in and that works for me every single time.

I hope my solution is not too late for all of you guys out there. All I need to solve this issue is one simple step, price the lock button and open it back from lock screen. I guess it is just the software glitch, I have tried many things like remove the keyboard cover and turn iPad off and back.

Mine is IPad Pro 10” 2017 version, with iOS 11.2.1

Hey BobBurns,

It may sound kind of a stupid thing to check, but I would disconnect the smart key board and look at the connecting strip. My reason for saying this is because my keyboard was having the same issues and it looked to me as though it was making a perfect connection, but when I checked the strip was bent. I unbent it and low and behold I am now typing this response on it. Again to summarize, CHECK to see if the connector strip is bent and if it is unbend it. Keep in mind that I thought my connector was making perfect connection, but it wasn’t.

Hopefully Helpful,

DBMax1

After going into the same Apple Store I bought my keyboard from 1 year and 2 days ago, the advice I was given by the consultant was to “buy a new keyboard!!” 😠

BUT YAY!! I tried this fix out of desperation. 🙂It works again!! I deleted US Keyboard and voila! It works. 🙂

I don't know about foolproof, but I sure feel like a fool with my thousand-dollar iPad pro, hundred-dollar Smart Keyboard, and a fscking refrigerator magnet in my pocket to make it work.

I applaud your ingenuity, but this is pretty unforgivable from Apple; they have really lost my trust by choosing to not support their """professional""" products, to say nothing of the introduction of a hundred thousand new bugs with iOS 12.

Also the magnet trick didn't work for me, anyway, and the keyboard problem persists as of iOS 12.2 beta 5 (16E5223a).

I did stumble upon a replacement program for iPad Pro get one smart keyboard users, as has admitted that there is a major design flaw. You will need the serial number for a replacement, and can find it on the soft velvet side of the keyboard in a horrible, almost illegible print.

Use your iPhone video feature for a clear image of this tiny text instead of a photo. You may be able to make out the serial number if you are to attempt to take advantage of this return program.

I am on my third Smart Keyboard.

Best.

MJW

THANK YOU BobBurns! Deleting all Keyboard extensions (other lenguages) and restart was the only effective method! Well DONE! You should tell Apple Employees who apparently don't know how to fix this notorious issue!

Yes! Is a design fault, therefor they should replace, BUT in my case, as my serial number is unreadable they will not do anything. The serial number has rubbed off as it was printed onto the felt base of keyboard. Bad move App,e, I am disgusted with your response to this problem!

All issues will be narrowed down to the conductive fabric at the end.

Problem is because of the life limit of the conductive fabric that apple choose to put it in where the cover are up to 360 degree bends.

My Smart Keyboard had intermittent connection issues for a few months. Then failed completely. Restarting or hard restarting the iPad does not work. The contacts look clean.

The cover also has not weathered well. The edges have frayed from being carried around in a brief case and use.

Apple's product strategy is wrong. The top iPad Pro with its lovely keyboard/stand/cover is as expensive as a laptop and I am told faster than many. But it is not one, so as a work tool it is limited. In most offices I visit the laptop has an external keyboard, mouse and two external screens. Doubles as a desktop. The iPad Pro does not do this and the pointer function falls short of a proper mouse function on OS.

The advantage of the Surface Pro or top end Thinkpad is that you can flip them over and write on the screen in meetings, review and mark up documents etc. This is the real business focus/use case of touch screen. It is not some toy or different way to drive the os. A touch is the only viable way to go properly paperless. My colleagues have all finally caught up with this. few are now buying iPads anymore.

The iPad does write on screen very well, but you need a laptop as well for the desktop setup. So two devices. Why would you do that? And as BobBurns points out with a poor track record with the old iPad keyboard why fork out for the new beaut expensive one? Can we trust Apple to produce a durable product? For me it is no.

Thanks for the comments @Cominhandy. At peak I had 13 Apple devices across my network at home. I have disliked MS since before i moved.

I love my iPad Pro and use it almost daily. I don't create much however so mark up documents and take notes at meetings. I get a lot of documents and I work paperless. The Apple pencil is excellent. Very smooth and precise. This is the real use case for a touch screen in business. Paperless operation. And it works really well!

I also have a Macbook Pro with a magic keyboard, mouse and two large screens in my home office.

Point points are:

1. I am disappointed that the cover/key board has failed. It was not cheap and this is not good enough. It was sold as a cover, i.e. protection.
2. The new iPad Pro is over powered and over priced for what is its, a tablet. It can not possibly replace a full OS device. See my WFH use case above. But it is priced like one. To me it is vanity and a stubborn refusal to see the true value and use of a touch screen technology.
3. When I need to trade on I will have to buy a new iPad Pro and a laptop. This will cost twice the price of a generic well speced and branded laptop. Twice the price of a well speed Apple laptop. Maybe I could make do with an Air and smaller iPad. However the smaller screen would be suboptimal for large documents and presentations and it would still be expensive with a keyboard added for working on planes. So I will either be gouged by Apple for an extra 100% cost to get two devices or have to migrate back to the dark side. Not a happy choice. I am a fan. Not to mention carrying two devices and power packs when I am on leave or longer serious trip.

Good points. My iPad Pro gets used a lot on video editing and production so the power of the processing is very important to me. It is amazing power on the iPad Pro compared to my PC, due to the built in hardware acceleration for MP4 manipulation. It was a real eye opener the first time I used iMovie (free app as well!). It's not that different in video production time compared to the latest MacBook Pro!

I agree they are expensive and I agree it is disappointing that the flex joint on the keyboard breaks. Then again the bluetooth keyboards made by others are usually rubbish as well, I'v gone through three, all poor quality. I am hoping than the next time I buy another apple keyboard that they have improved the quality. Maybe I'll look after it more as well as I used to often bend it over itself and prop it up reading in bed.