Smart keyboard not connecting to iPad pro

Question

Level 1

50 points

Smart keyboard not connecting to iPad pro

I have the ipad pro (12.9 inch) with smartkeyboard from the release date. Evenryting worked fine until a few moths ago. When I want to use the keyboard it doesn't same to connect. The on screen keyboard is there and reconnecting the keyboard doesnot work. What seems to work sometimes is closing all open apps or opening another app and stat typing there and than go back to the app were the problem started. Often the smartkeyboard keeps working. And the smartkeyboards make the IPad battery logo to blink with some kind of sound. Some times it stops after a few flashings but sometimes its keeps going on and only stops when disconnect the Smart Keyboard. Hopefully somebody have a solution for this. It seems like a bug introduced after the last IOS update maybe?

SMART KEYBOARD FOR IPAD PRO 12.9-INCH, iOS 10.2.1

Posted on Mar 3, 2017 11:54 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Teddy_B

Community Specialist

Mar 4, 2017 12:07 PM in response to iiiartin

Hi iiiartin,

I see that you're having some issues with your Smart Keyboard not always being recognized by your iPad Pro. I'm happy to provide some help for this issue.

Check out the Get help section of the following article:

Use your Smart Keyboard with iPad Pro - Apple Support

Get help

If your iPad Pro doesn't detect your Smart Keyboard or you see an "Accessory not supported" alert on your iPad Pro, make sure there's no debris or plastic covering on the Smart Connector pins on the keyboard or the Smart Connector on the iPad Pro. Also, try these steps:

Make sure that your iPad Pro and Smart Keyboard are in the Type position.

Remove the Smart Keyboard from your iPad Pro.

Restart your iPad Pro.

Reconnect the Smart Keyboard.

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Cheers!

Reply

Answer 2

Jul 27, 2017 1:29 PM in response to Teddy_B

I've got a similar issue. 12.9" iPad Pro with a Smart Keyboard that used to connect reliably every time, until the past month or so when it would either not be recognized or would bring up the "Accessory is not supported" message. Restarting the iPad Pro has worked a few times, but it doesn't seem to be working any more.

My iPad Pro is in an Apple case with the Smart Keyboard. The contacts are clean and there isn't anything in the channel on the Smart Keyboard where the iPad rests when in "Type" mode.

Any other suggestions? It seems a shame that the latest versions of iOS seem to neuter one of Apple's own accessories. iOS updates are the only thing that have changed in my setup since I first got the iPad Pro in Spring of 2016.

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 28, 2017 7:43 AM in response to Briansyddall

Thank you for the heads up!

Do you know if those tend to be keyboards that fail over time or were dead out of the box? I ask because this one worked for about a year before this problem started. That's why I was assuming a software update might be at fault.

I'll try the warranty route.

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 4

MJG

Level 1

4 points

Jul 29, 2017 8:26 AM in response to iiiartin

Apple care didn't have the answer but I figured it out! A hard reboot did not work so I was headed to the Genius Bar when I tried to reboot the iPad Pro after removing it from the Smart Keyboard. Voila! Reconnected it to the SK and it works perfectly now. Good luck to y'all!

Reply

Answer 5

wcsulliv

Level 1

9 points

Mar 30, 2017 7:26 AM in response to Teddy_B

This solution does not work for me. For several weeks, it did work. But it hasn't worked for a couple of weeks now. My "Smart Keyboard" is now useless.

William

Reply

Answer 6

Jun 20, 2017 9:46 AM in response to iiiartin

Agreed! My smart keyboard is useless. And it just keeps interrupting all the time with the "accessory not recognized" error message. 😟 Starting happening after last update...

Reply

Answer 7

Hein_d

Level 1

4 points

Jul 28, 2017 1:15 AM in response to Alex Hare

I have the same issue; all is clean. it has been working fine, and now it doesn't

Reply

Answer 8

Jul 28, 2017 1:53 AM in response to Alex Hare

Hi

A few keyboards are faulty apple has extended warranty to 3 years for keyboards return it to apple store.

You may be better to have a appointment.

Cheers

Brian

Reply

Answer 9

Aug 18, 2017 6:09 PM in response to iiiartin

I stumbled on a fix that may or may not work the next time. I also have a Pencil that also wasn't working. After sticking it in the port to reconnect, the keyboard then started responding.

Reply