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

Hi Everyone. This is one of the best threads I have read through. I have the 12.5” and 9.7” Pro models. I purchase the keyboard for both. The 12.5” was purchased when it came out. And used extensively until the 9.7 came out. At that time I purchased that model and keyboard. About 1 year into the use, it started having the same problem everyone here has been facing. It would connect 4 out of 5 times and progressively got worse. Last month it got to a point where it wouldn’t even function as a cover. Meaning I couldn’t even use the iPad with out this error message. That’s when I found this discussion. Here is what I learned:

1) There seems to be a weak connectivity issues in the keyboard. Hence people using the Magnet between the 1 & 2 keys.

2) Software update to 11 has made it worse. Not sure what the change is, but it seems to push the error message.

3) Apple has admitted to the failure and extended to a 3 YEAR warranty.

I believe the release was in Feb 2016. So, anyone with this problem has ample time to get it replaced at any Apple store. I went this morning and had mine replaced with a new one. Purchased in May 2016 and they still helped me out. Don’t wait like I did. Go to Apple and they will replace it no questions asked. Good luck to everyone.

I have had this issue for about 3 months now and now it does not work at all. I was all for getting a new ipad pro but I gave one more thing a go.

I simply backed up in iTunes. Erased all data and refreshed to factory. When prompted I restored from backup and hey presto it is working perfectly.

I hope this owrks for you, you hav enothing to lose. Took me less than an hour.

Don't give up. Mine was about two years old, and I just called them, and they took care of it. Or visit their store. Apple will replace it for free, as they did for me. No hassle at all. Microsoft wouldn't do that for a two-year old keyboard, I can assure you.

Same thing with my son's 12.9 I Pad Pro. It first went sporadically, then nothing at all. He never mentioned anything about it to me until I casually asked him when we went to the Apple Store in the local mall to get my wife's I-Phone 6 Plus battery replaced before the end of the $29 replacement promotion. The Apple associate took one look at it, checked out the serial number and told us to come back in one week as the new keyboard was on backorder. I even asked him to mark it down for a store closer to us. no problem!

Advice: GO TO THE STORE.... Quit wracking your brains!

The same happened to me. I used a HD magnet and automatically started to work, but after a while, the problem started again. And as you are doing, I try the same tricks and after lost 30/40 min sometimes it works... In Argentina is a little more difficult to get support but I will try to...

Is a shame because the keyboard is a good gadget to the ipad and I like the integration...

Just wanted to say thank you, two years later! I’ve been having the same problem with my keyboard, and the magnet solved it. I was about to spend 100 bucks on a different keyboard. I’ll just keep a magnet in my bag. Thanks again.

Reset all settings worked for me.

Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings

It is a real pain to restore all the settings, but it worked for me.

I have a 2016 iPad Pro 9.7 inch model.

The Magnet, although it sounds like a Ouija Board and I have yet to figure out where it is to be applied, actually works, as absurd as it is. Saved me from taking antipsychotics. What a terrible intermittent problem.

Go to Setting and shut off your blue tooth connection. Re-start blue tooth with the ipad in the typing position. Wait until you have confirmation that your blue tooth has recognized your keyboard. Once it is recognized, you are good to go!

I have had the same problem with two keypads that did the same thing. I cleaned both the keyboard connector and the iPad connector with Isopropyl alcohol and Nail varnish remover and that seemed to do the trick. I think it that the connectors get dirty over time and eventually stop working. I’m not sure which worked, cleaning the keyboard tray or the connectors on the iPad. But it worked and it’s working perfectly now. It might be something that happens over time?

After going rounds with Apple support I give up. None of the solutions provided by others worked and Apple support wasn’t much ‘support’.

Has anyone found a third party keyboard that works with the first gen iPad 12.9”? I’m having trouble finding something. Thanks in advance.

I have an iPad Pro...then I purchased the keyboard that attaches to it. For several years it worked all of the time...now it works sometimes...stops working in the middle of typing and displays “This accessory is not supported by this device.” I turn it off and restart...I clean the connections...nothing...does not work. Then hours later I try to use it and the keypad works...then stops! This is so frustrating and I don’t think that Apple should sell this keyboard as an accessory to the iPad Pro because it does not work correctly.

I tried to use a magnet as suggested and it did not work...so I bought the specified suggestion of the neodymium magnet and that particular magnet did work. I ran it in the indent near the # 2 and 3 keys as suggested in another post. I keep the magnet handy for when the keyboard stops working in the middle of whatever I am working on. I specifically purchased the iPad Pro so I would have the advantage of using a keyboard. I am wondering if some of the Apple updates caused this problem with the keyboard, because in the beginning I never got the "accessory not supported" notification. I am so disappointed with Apple right now!

I bought the Smart Keyboard as I wanted to use it occasionally. Only, 2 years on and out of warranty, the keyboard only works occasionally..... sadly when IT wants to, not when I want it to.

I think there is something very fine about the margins in which it activates, which clearly didn’t get enough product testing.

The kicker yesterday was that I spoke to the Apple Help line and they couldn’t even find out what a Smart Keyboard was...!!!!

I have this issue for more than 3 months now, update 10.2.1 doesn't help too. Where's Apple ??