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

Yes I get the same message, but as soon as I unfold the Keyboard, and set it up in its useable position then I have full access to all its functions, the onscreen keyboard disappears. It only appears to happen when I have the keyboard and cover folded for simple iPad use. is it possible that the extra magnet used to lock the keyboard in its " use" position, also activates the reed switch.

The entire connection system whilst convenient, is still fragile to say the least.

After a few months having this issue (this started around iOS 11 update and I’ve had my Smart Keyboard for about 1.5 year now, it suddenly stopped working and showed “This Accessory Is Not Supported“ most of the time, and now everytime I go to class I will have to try connecting and disconnecting the magnets or the smart connector itself, sometime it worked, most of the time it doesn’t. I guess that, as you said, there is some magnet thing going on detecting whether its on ‘Type stance’ or not.

I don’t have any magnets with me so I just used the connection bar (the one that connects to the iPad) and rubbed it on the keyboard upwards from the number ‘2’ towards the connection point several times (12 times to be precise), then tried reconnecting the iPad again and it worked! Thanks a lot, I thought my Smart Keyboard is done for.

Could the battery level or whether it is plugged in have anything to do with this?

I have been having this issue on and off for a month or more. At first the keyboard was still working, so I didn’t understand what the “device not supported” message was even for; I thought maybe it was related to one of the crappy OS upgrades or else had to do with my Apple Pencil, which still works properly so far.

The first however many times the keyboard stopped working while connected, I didn’t get ANY error messages. I just reseated the keyboard after clearing any potential dust from the contacts on both kbd and ipad. Slowly the problem has built to where the keyboard isn’t working at all when I go to use it and the message comes up often.

Today, it stopped working completely for the first time and nothing I tried made a difference. Cleaning everything, reseating it carefully a bunch of different ways, coming here and doing research, trying the magnet-over-1-and-2-keys methods and more recommended above (thank you everyone for sharing), rebooting the ipad twice, nothing. Once or twice I could see it WAS briefly working when I connected it, then the error popped up and it stopped working.

I noticed my battery (which has seemed poor since receiving a replacement ipad under warranty with the promise it had a new battery) was low, around 25%, so I plugged it in during a reboot. Now the keyboard is working again! So far, everying works properly.

Except, of course, for this Apple support site. :-/ I am using the keyboard now, IN Safari, and it is doing weird crap like the arrow keys don’t move me through this text I am typing but instead jump me to other replies people have made. <SIGH>.

Anyhow, I thought I would mention that plugging it in seemed to fix the problem, this time, for me. Or else it is a random fluke with everything else I tried and has nothing to do with anything. :-D Either way, I have not been very happy overall with this allegedly Smart but not bluetooth official expensive weird keyboard and I am bummed Apple can’t afford to stand behind their products better when they have more than a quarter trillion dollars in the bank.

Hi, for what it is worth, I had been having intermittent connection problems with the Smart Keyboard for the last couple of months, and today it stopped working completely after about 11 months of use. I took it to the shop where I bought it (not Apple) and they replaced it, so I was grateful for that, but still concerned I am going to have the same issue in another 10-12 months.

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!

If it still does not work, you can slide the iPad slightly on the magnet so the 3 pins find the tiny holes and get aligned while the iPad is docked, try..

Thanks. Should’ve been obvious to me. I went to Apple store and they ordered me a new keyboard since mine is still in warranty.

I did a reset of my iPad with the Smart Cover attached [hold down power button and home button until ipad restarts] and now the Smart Cover works.

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.

incredible
I thought I had tried everything.
I stopped imessage in settings and the keyboard is no longer incompatible