Smart Keyboard not working since ios11.

It sounds like this is a rampant problem that Apple isn't acknowledging or fixing. Is there a way to post this on Apple /tech related blogs to get more visibility on it? e.g. 9to5mac, Apple Insider, lifehacker, engadget, etc?

Logitech iPad Pro 12.9 Keyboard Case | Create: Backlit Wireless Keyboard with Smart Connector (Black) -Only for iPad Pro 12.9 1st Generation

I do not know about this public WIFI issue. Seems weird that your wifi connection can cause a problem with your keyboard... but considering apple won't acknowledge a problem... then anything is possible insanity.

I have experience zero problems in the 3 weeks since I have had the Logitech keyboard. I will post here again should I have any problems with it.

i've posted on another blog. but this is a supported apple community site, so they must know. this thread has been viewed 300k times. as you can see from my first post, there was 'fake' news that apple finally acknowledged a problem which prompted me to try the hot line for my 2nd time and was read the party line "apple does not recognize a problem and if it is past the warranty (1 year), you are out of luck". When I explained that I have 2 keyboards, one purchased in Japan and one in the USA, so it is unlikely that its an isolated incident... they also said I was out of luck.

Anyway, they know. They are ignoring it. And I have purchased my last Apple product because of it. May seem extreme behavior but the small inconvenience that I will take over the next 5 years of new phones, tablets, computers etc seems warranted now. Shame on them.

This is the example of the article that was published on numerous apple blogs:

https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/08/apple-smart-keyboard-ipad-pro-repair-program-stic king-keys-functional-issues/

When I showed it to Apple hotline, they said that it was 'fake news' !!

I just went to Starbucks to test the Smart Keyboard further. First the keyboard does work with cellular service as long as you do not accept the public WIFI splash screen. Second, if you press cm+tab after you accept the public WiFi the keyboard does work in all the apps after you press this combination of keys. This is a fairly quick work-around for the software issues with public WIFI until Apple decides to address the issue. It does not of course address any hardware issues of the conductivity of the keyboard after a year long period of average wear.

I have the same issue since updating to ios 11. Went to Apple store they said its “a known issue” and replaced my keyboard...that didn’t solve the problem, so few days latter, I went back to Apple and they cleared my iPad and restored it from a backup....that still hasn’t worked and I’ve ”Erased all Content and Settings” and restored it from a iCloud backup....still having problems. My smart keyboard still stops working and I have to power off my iPad and reboot it to get it the work again. Very frustrating and time consumIng. THIS NEEDS TO FIXED BY APPLE.

I called in to Apple Support and spoke to a CSR in Ireland. His recommendation was to take it to an Apple Store. It seems like a waste of my time because physically my keyboard is unchanged and the connection appears perfect. I have had my keyboard over a year without issue until recently.

I have attempted to reboot with and without the keyboard connected and it sporadically helps. Within a day the problem reappears. So, rather than waste my time with a store visit I hope Apple reads all these complaints and solves the problem with an update to iOS.

Comment: iPad Pro, Apple Bluetooth keyboard and iOS 11.1.2

If I start my keyboard before I startup my iPad Pro, then my keyboard works. Otherwise, the keyboard connects but only the top row of keys work (screen brightness, volume control, and playback [aka function keys]). 🤔

iPad Pro 12.1

Model: MPKY2LL/A (512 GB)

iPad Pro 12.1 Smart Keyboard

Model: A1636

IOS Version: 11.1.2

I have similar issue with the Keyboard an no workaround has been consistent.

One weird thing I did notices was I could use the smart keyboard to change the name of a folder but could type in an application without issue. Not sure if that is related.

This workaround works for me.

The trick is in turning off/on the wireless radio and then using the CMD and TAB keys.

I surmise that with ios11 the fact that Apple have introduced a wireless change might be at the root of the issue. How / why this is related - shrug, it is just annectotal and the fix suggested on this thread works for me. My iPad Pro mini with smart keyboard did not have an issue prior to iOS 11. Specifically, I believe the ios11 introduction of having to got to settings to shut down the wireless & Bluetooth radios (before, you could do it from the slide up control panel) is at the root of the issue (there are separate threads on this issue).

Overall, Apple - please investigate the suggested work around to help diagnose the issue. It is clear that many of your clients are staff are waiting considerable time and resources on this software issue.

This issue has rendered my invaluable and frequently used ipad in back to back meetings to become a nice paperweight. I cannot predict when the keyboard will fail and it looks pretty silly cycling through settings when I need to be taking simple notes.

I just recently went to the apple store, and they exchanged the keyboard. We couldn’t duplicate the problem at the store. We did try a different keyboard. They said they will exchange it but didn’t have any. However, I solved that, because there were a stack of boxed keyboards behind where we were standing, and they gave me one. But....when I got home, ..it again, lost contact between the keyboard and iPad Pro. I think you are correct in regards to a software issue, and I kept hoping as the new updates came in, that this would fix it. I think it’s a relational problem, either with the “WiFi” switching, or possibly the ”sleep function” of the hardware, and the way the software is responding to the hardware changes, i.e. sleep mode, or WiFi switching...it erroneously throws the keyboard offline, when either are interrupted, and not recognizing that glitch, fails to re-engage the keyboard.

I just recently went to the apple store, and they exchanged the keyboard. We couldn’t duplicate the problem at the store. We did try a different keyboard. They said they will exchange it but didn’t have any. However, I solved that, because there were a stack of boxed keyboards behind where we were standing, and they gave me one. But....when I got home, ..it again, lost contact between the keyboard and iPad Pro. I think you are correct in regards to a software issue, and I kept hoping as the new updates came in, that this would fix it. I think it’s a relational problem, either with the “WiFi” switching, or possibly the ”sleep function” of the hardware, and the way the software is responding to the hardware changes, i.e. sleep mode, or WiFi switching...it erroneously throws the keyboard offline, when either are interrupted, and not recognizing that glitch, fails to re-engage the keyboard.

Just read your post re: Starbucks, and will test tomorrow. This is the place I first go to in the day, and use the iPad, and you‘re right....no keyboard after agreeing to the Starbucks splash screen! Is that something in the secure router software at Starbucks, or a rogue response from iOS and the iPad? That’s going to be a pain in the....

The software problem (at least one of them) is the keys not being recognized after you accept the splash screen on any unsecured WIFI network. The solution is simply to press cm + tab and the keyboard works fine. The other alternative is just not to us unsecured public WIFI with splash screens.

I have This same issue. I have 3 ipad pros and two smart keyboards and this issue exists with all devices. I even replaced a Keyboard and no resolution. Typing on the screen is terrible. Very disappointed in Apple quality in dealing with this BIG issue.

Cmd tab briefly brought it back to life but i Opened safari and dead again . Screen typing is terrible and this issue renders the device unusable for anything PRO. A keyboard is necessary and you would expect it to work for 170 dollars attached to a 1000 device.

I am also seeing this issue - only way to “solve” it is to reboot it. And even that doesn’t solve it for long. It happens randomly and for me there is no rhyme or reason to it. I’ll be working in OneNote and all of a sudden it just flat out stops working.

Very annoying. How has Apple not addressed this yet? And is anyone from Apple even paying attention to this thread any longer?