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

I had the same error message, most vexing. I cleaned the connectors on the iPad and the keyboard with a Q-tip dipped in alcohol... rubbing firml. On my device this worked, before cleaning it was dead. The three connectors on the key board appeared a little tarnished.

I have the same issue as stated and tired some of the other fixes. I get the message several times repeatedly every time I use my iPad Pro with Apple Smart Keyboard. Those fixes worked for a few hours or so. I tried this magnet fix earlier today and the message stopped appearing. If it lasts for more than a few hours I'll let you know.

Update - Worked great for several hours and the alert just popped up again this morning. I think I went 8-12 hours without seeing the alert and usually get the it every 10-20 minutes. My iPad was running out of power and the alert appeared as I was under 5%. I am going to try rubbing the magnet on the tongue with the 3 connecters. I also noticed that the middle connecter on the Keyboard is ever so slightly recessed. Someone else posted something about that. Not sure if its related. I'll post an update as I progress.

I have the same issue and I just read all the replies over the last year and I have tried everything and absolutely nothing worked. I am giving up on Apple here. Switching to Logitech. Entirely frustrated that this issue is obviously not a rare occurrence with users and there seems to be complete silence from APPLE on the problem. I have been increasingly disenchanted with the apple products lately. I would definitely not recommend purchasing the keyboard to anyone. Wish I had read more reviews before I bought it.

My wife's 12.9 iPad Pro (1st Generation) is experiencing the same problem. To make sure there was an issue with only her iPad Pro Smart Keyboard and not her iPad, I placed her iPad on my 10.5 iPad Pro Smart Keyboard and it worked fine. I place my 10.5 iPad Pro on her Smart Keyboard and got the "Accessory Not Supported" message also. I also brought a Logitech Smart Keyboard for her iPad Pro. To go even further, I used the Logitech Smart Keyboard with her iPad and it also worked just fine.

Before doing all of this, I perfomed a regular reset, tried the Apple Smart Keyboard and had negative results. The same was performed with a hard reset and still, negative results. It seems the issue lies within Apple's Smart Keyboard and not the actual iPad or it's software??? Just guessing.

If anyone found a solution to this problem, please let me know. Otherwise, we will go to the Genius Bar and see if her Apple Smart Keyboard can be replaced. Hope this helps and thank you.

Just want to echo the people who said go to the GeniusBar. I arrived all armed with articles to "prove" my case and the GeniusBar guy was actually a little offended that we might think they wouldn't do the right thing unprompted--which they did. No fuss, no hassle, walked out with a new keyboard. One suggestion: Take a screenshot of the "accessory" message.

I visited the Genius Bar again with this issue - it appears that Apple have formally internally acknowledged that iPad Pro 12.9" Smart Keyboard has a recurring hardware issue. They appear willing to replace the keyboard each time you bring it in with this pathology - I think I am now on my 4th keyboard in a little over 2 years. Having spoken to others the speed with which the keyboard starts to have this issue is likely related to how heavily you are using your iPad fully unfolded in keyboard mode. I use the keyboard very heavily. (If you are primarily using it without the keyboard then issue may not manifest itself.)

I bought my 9.7 pro with the Apple keyboard and replaced it with Logitech's keyboard-case mainly because the Apple keyboard didn't give the iPad enough protection. THEN I started getting all those errors with the Logitech keyboard. Still, I bought another Logitech keyboard-case recently, and it's performed fine so far. No errors.

Jonathan

I bought my 9.7 pro with the Apple keyboard and replaced it with Logitech's keyboard-case mainly because the Apple keyboard didn't give the iPad enough protection. THEN I started getting all those errors with that first Logitech keyboard-case. Still, I bought another Logitech keyboard-case recently, and it's performed fine so far. No errors. I’m using it now to write this reply. Logitech seems to have ironed out the errors. I only get keyboard to iPad connectivity errors if I’ve got the case a not normal alignment. With it on my lap and typing — just fine, no errors.

Jonathan

Check your iPad Pro by placing it on a flat surface. Use your thumb to press hard on each corner of the iPad to see if the other corners come away from the surface. I suspect the opposite corner does come away as it is curved by too much carry around. This explain why the 3 minute contact points magnets do not make perfect contact. Pick up your IPad Pro and with the help of a table put your IPad Pro perpendicular to the edge and apply some pressure to bend the iPad Pro straight agaiN (not too hard please) Your Smart Keyboard should work again.

I imagine that most iPad Pro users will have this problem at some point, where, even though the keyboard is attached properly, you get the virtual keyboard instead, and ‘accessory not supported’ is indicated. Most people, after suffering with this for some time, just get a replacement keyboard - whether another Apple one (where it will probably happen again) or a 3rd party keyboard. While suffering with this with my iPad Pro, I’ve found out a number of things. Connecting the ipad to the keyboard initially, via the 3 tiny pins/magnets, is actually not the problem.

The problem arises when you attempt to ‘snap’ the affixed keyboard to the groove, just above the typing keys. I found this out by having the accessory not supported box indicated when the keyboard was first attached, but being able to remove it (and have the keyboard work) by shifting the keyboard around in that long groove, and or ‘resnapping’ it on to that groove a few times, which caused the keyboard to work again. A workaround is to have that groove just above the keys cleaned REALLY well...which I did and the keyboard actually worked for a number of days with no issues. I have had to continually do this. Sadly, there is no Apple store near me so, all patience aside, I’ve finally ordered a 3rd party keyboard, and will use the Smart (or not so Smart) keyboard as a spare......

I had this problem for a while now. I thought the “device not supported” message was referring to my Apple Watch.

With much skepticism I tried the magnet suggestion ... ran a magnet over the contact points on the keyboard and iPad Pro ... worked like a charm.

I have the exact same setup.I am experiencing the same issues. Apple Support is going down the tubes. For as much money I have spent on Apple Products over the years, you expect more. This is my favorite product and most frustrating. Come on Apple!

I too have this infamous keyboard ‘accessory is not supported by this device’ defect. I purchased my iPad Pro and Smart Keyboard in Australia where I was living at the time. I now live in Europe. I contacted the Apple Help Centre and was told that I would have to take my keyboard back to Australia to get it fixed. It was claimed that under Australian law Apple have an obligation to fix this problem, but not so under European law. For a global company to make this arguement is pathetic. We live in a global environment, Apple should honour the conditions under which the keyboard was brought wherever I am in the world.

The Help Centre tried to argue that local laws prevent Apple serving my keyboard. This is nonsense, such laws set minimum requirements not limits. A company that wants to operate globally should determine its service standards by best practice anywhere in the world, not what it can get away with in one country to another.

This has been a very disappointing experience for a committed Apple user and one that will be reflected in future purchases.

I have the exact same problem now. Now as I am typing, smart keyboard stopped working and didn't work anymore! Really disappointed this one from apple! That high price should extend some years, now just 1 year and 3 months as I am out of luck!