iPad Pro Keyboard "This accessory is not supported by this device"

Apple extended the warranty to THREE YEARS for the Ipad PRO keyboards due to so many malfunctions

https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-smart-keyboard-warranty-repair-extension/

I had all all this nonsense with my iPad Pro and its keyboard after about a years use. Seems the thing that activates the keyboard is a small reed switch (I am guessing) in the guttering just above the keyboard. When you snap the keyboard together ready for typing a magnet on the oposing face triggers the switch. Try it out! With the keyboard attached but not in the support guttering get a small magnet and rub it just above the 1 and 2 keys on the keyboard. If you are in an application that is waiting for input the onscreen keyboard will dissapear meaning that the physical keyboard is ready for typing.

What is clearly happening is that the magnetic strength of the top part which fits in the guttering has lost flux. Get that magnet which you were playing about with just a moment ago and rub it on the top part of the keyboard which mates with the guttering. Magnet flux is restored and the final act of snapping the keyboard to typing position should activate the switch. Works for me! I used a neodymium magnet, BTW.

I have this problem as well. I think it’s a connectivity issue at the prongs that may be excaserbated by low voltage/battery. My solution has been to leave the iPad and keyboard connected on a flat surface as it charges fully. The keyboard takes it’s power from the IPad and I believe that power transfer is lost if the IPad gets too low.

I came across this solution purely by accident. I noticed that when I left it plugged in at the desk the Smart Keyboard would start working suddenly. Hope this helps. Also, bendgate. :)

iPodge got the answer above. I am on my second Smart Keyboard now in 2 years. There is a magnetic switch in the channel where the iPad sits in the typing position. He observed the switch above the 1 and 2 keys but on my keyboard the switch is above the + and delete keys at the furthest most right of the channel. However this was not the issue with my keyboard but it helped in identifying exactly what the issue is. Where the keyboard connects to the keyboard there will most likely be a ribbon cable in the centre. This over time must be weakening with the constant open/close of the keyboard and causing an open circuit. With the keyboard and iPad connected together and laying flat I can make the magnetic switch with pen magnet tool. This causes the on screen keyboard to disappear and activate your Smart Keyboard. I can then press around the centre of the keyboard/iPad connection area with my finger where the ribbon cable will be and cause the keyboard to disconnect ie open circuit the ribbon cable.

its just mechanical failure folks. Apple probably put this down to fair wear and tear, but you would expect it to last a bit longer than 12 months!

Hi all - I was frustrated with this same issue for years. The magnet trick works, but you have to use a Neodymium Magnet. Your run-of-the-mill kitchen magnet won't do.

This video was helpful in finding one around the house: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=aCfwBj_ijaU

(just mute the terrible music).

I found one by dissecting an old bluetooth earbud.

Hi @GoldensRule3,

I would imagine any magnet would work; it doesn't have to have the strength of a neodymium.

I think someone posted that they used a regular refrigerator magnet and it worked just fine.

It's so nice to be able to reattach my keyboard in the morning and not have that message pop up!

That works! My switch is around the 2-3 keys (9.7" iPad Pro, first gen) and works like a charm just by running a small neodymium magnet in the support gutter. Brilliant. Stack mags for the win! Actually, iPodge for the win! lol

I have had the exact same problem and it just kept getting worse. Not sure if this helps, but I'm typing this on my smart keyboard after it not working for a couple of days. What I did was go into Settings->General->Reset->Network settings. Of course, once you do that you have to put in all your wifi passwords again but...

So far, and it's only been about 30 mins, no messages. I'll update this link if I get the message again.

I have had this problem with two separate keyboards. Nothing works other than switching keyboards out when you have the problem as outlined by another responder. Unfortunately the answer seems to be that you have to have two keyboards and switch them out to get rid of the problem. My keyboard would go weeks without working and every once in a while work for a short period. I tried every other answer to fixing the problem but none worked. Switching keyboards is the only thing that fixed the problem. I did not have to do anything other than switch them out.

Apple did not have an answer that would work and before I bought a new keyboard would do nothing to help me resolve it. They wanted the item number which is illegible because it is written on fabric. It was faster and cheaper just to buy a new keyboard.

Thanks for this. I tried everything other than this and the keyboard worked then not. When cleaning the magnetized grooves I found that there was tiny residue on the cloth. It seems insignificant but after cleaning simply with a dry cloth, the keyboard is working.

I was having the same problem. I have just turned off and on again but with the keyboard in the typing position as it turned back on. Seems to have worked well. I can now use the keyboard in all the apps where before I could only use it in certain ones.

I am on my Fourth Folio keyboard replacement in two years and this is really not acceptable Apple should have addressed this properly as soon as they knew there was a serious flaw in the poor quality of this product as they are not a cheap item to purchase. If you are in the UK ,contact Apple and tell them of the problem you are experiencing and they should arrange for you to get a replacement. I am so fed up with these keyboards becoming faulty after a very short life i did ask to upgrade the last time i had my latest replacement {last month} however even though i was happy to pay the upgrade difference they would not allow me too and i had to take another Folio keyboard, it’s crazy! Don’t try any suggestions you read about {ie; rubbing a magnet across certain areas} as you shouldn’t have to do things like that, this is a ridiculous option.

Contact Apple today via customers services and complain and tell them how unhappy you are, i hope you get this sorted. The more people complain is the only way to make Apple wake up and see that we are not going to put up with a rubbish product for which the cost is high, it is not acceptable!

It worked!!! The on-screen keyboard came and went a few times but it disappeared for good when placed the iPad edge in the gutter. Thanks so much! Who knew? BYW I used a common refrigerator magnet.

Thank you! I tried your remedy and carefully wiped down the connectors on the device and keyboard. My keyboard works fine now.

Cleaning out the keyboard with some hand sanitizer worked for me.

Hadn’t been working for months.