Smart Keyboard not working since ios11.

I agree on the frustration level. The fact that any bluetooth keyboard has issues, points to a software issue.

I'm still in contact with Apple Suport on this, and have linked them to this thread. I do hope every single person affected in this thread, opens up a ticket with Apple on it. They really need to get this resolved.

I've got a similar but different issue, (ipad pro 12.9) when my keyboard became unresponsive i at first removed it and then replaced it which usually got it working again. I then found out that lifting the ipad into a vertical position started it working again. Now this morning i removed the ipad from the keyboard to work with it on my lap and the on screen keyboard was on screen but greyed out and the screen was unresponsive. A reboot cleared the problem but what is causing these issues? Only Apple knows!

I have to say that the unresponsive issue is beginning to become tiresome. Anyone else feel that Apple missed a trick by not having the keyboard backlit?

I used the Apple online chat support and the support person suggested I wait for a software update and also sent me a document on how to clean the connectors. When I asked about software issues He said, “Yes we expect it to be resolved in a future update, however its not affecting the performance of the keyboard is it? As I’d treat that as a separate issue to troubleshoot. And as for going back to iOS 10, at this point its not possible.” This is the first I’ve heard that they know that its a software issue. I was trying to explain that yes the keyboard works fine when I can get it to connect to the iPad but that the “accessory not supported“ pop-up occurs daily and is difficult to get around and that this never occurred for me in iOS 10. He wasn’t on the same page and kept trying to guide to towrdas the connectors being dirty even though he admitted it was going to be resolved in a future shoforward update and even said I should wait for that.

My 1st gen 12.9 iPad pro worked flawless until about 4 months ago then the “device not supported“ message would pop up. For 2 months the keyboard has not worked at all, I have replaced with a new and nothing. My Logitech keyboard does work just fine but it’s heavy and I prefer the Apple keyboard for travel. Apple has stopped contacting me for a fix I am not sure they know what to do. I guess I will wait patently until they figure this out one day.

“Apple has stopped contacting me for a fix I am not sure they know what to do. I guess I will wait patently until they figure this out one day. ”

Complain. Go to the Support site and get them to phone you, or use the Apple Support app and chat with them. Have your previous support case number handy.

If you don’t complain, nothing will happen.

Since the 11.2.6 update, my smart keyboard has completely stopped working. It used to be an intermittent pain, but now it’s toast. The connectors are clean and resets both connected and unconnected have no effect.

Yay.

“ I don't get why puling it forward gets it up and running?”

It completely disconnects all 3 pins from the keyboard/iPad. Rocking back, reconnects them. Same as lifting it up to disconnect ... just a little easier due to the magnets.

The same thing happended to me, so I took my iPad Pro and keyboard to my local Apple store. While initially reluctant, they replaced my keyboard on the spot, even though my ipad was no longer covered by AppleCare. Unfortunately, my new keyboard still has intermittant problems, albeit less frequent (25% vs 90% disconnect).

I'm wondering is there is some corrosion or build-up on the magnets of the iPad Pro itself since the problem persists even with a new replacement Smart keyboard. If that's the case, the next question is, "What's the best method to remove the corrosion or build-up?"

I may be wrong, but I don’t think that’s the problem. I keep those contacts very clean for that very reason. I think it’s an issue with iOS. I’ve had the Pro and keyboard since they were introduced, and never had the problem until the latest series of iOS 11 releases.

I'm using a new Smart keyboard (my second replacement). The connector pins are fine. The three contact points on the iPad Pro itself have dark spots on them. I'm going to try cleaning them with an appropriate solution to see if that changes the behavior.

I agree - I have had the same issue. Example, today alone, I have rebooted my iPad 3 times before 9 am to get my keyboard to work.

I love and use my iPad Pro (12.9") for almost everything I do on a daily basis. I'm exactly the kind of person who uses my iPad as my personal/dominant computer. Not being able to use my external keyboard via the Smart Connector (which is seemingly the only type of accessory that takes advantage of the Smart Connector right now) is a major hit to my productivity.

Peter, I just purchased an iPad Pro and a Brydge Keyboard. Same experience as you...sitting at starbucks, logged into the public wifi and lost keyboard use. returned home and instantly started working. Have you learned of a solution?

Update : 2017iPad Pro gen 2

Purchased new keyboard - worked once for few minutes - then flat nothing. Used logitech keyboard for few days.

Tried original iPad pro Gen 1 - works on new keyboad , hmm odd. Old key board also works on Gen 1 iPad .

Updated to 11.2.6

Tried new keyboard - still doesn’t work on Gen 2 iPad , out of frustration with using logitech keyboard thought to try old original keyboard - now it works ! In fact typing this on it.

So I have a brand new keyboard that will only work on a gen 1 ipad pro - but now my old 2016 keyboard works fine with my gen 2 ipad pro - no more accessory not found mesages or disconnects.

Compeletly baffled ~ next time back in the US will take new keyboard to a store and see if I can get an exchange or refund.

This is exactly what I'm seeing. On some, not all, WiFi networks, connecting to the network will cause the keyboard strokes to no longer be recognized. Solution is to hard reboot (turn off and back on) and reconnect to the WiFi. Sometimes even that doesn't work and I need to reboot with the smart connector detached from the keyboard, connect to WiFi, and then attach to the keyboard. It's been going on for some time, but since it works OK at my home WiFi and for some of our connections at work, I've not pursued it further. But it is REALLY annoying.