Delete key (Smart Keyboard) doesn’t work in Mail with iOS11

Gort1, thank you. I have tried both, but the fix, when it works, is not permanent—the problem shows up again after a few hours or a day. The blue dot by a new email seems to disappear before the delete button can be pushed and, when that happens, the delete button will not work. Apple needs to do a general fix.

I have the same problem ever since 11.1.1 on ipad air 2. Cannot delete emails with the delete button on wireless Zagg bluetooth keyboard. Every other delete function works fine...just with mail app is the problem. Spoke with ap ple tech support...they don't have a clue what I'm talking about...just the stock answer to contact third party

Glad to see I'm not the only one with this problem...even with Apples own keyboard it doesn't work.

It's obviously not Zagg's problem...it's Apple....just fix it!!

Gort1, thank you. I have tried both, but the fix, when it works, is not permanent—the problem shows up again after a few hours or a day. The blue dot by a new email seems to disappear before the delete button can be pushed and, when that happens, the delete button will not work. Apple needs to do a general fix.

I am only replying to add my voice to this list of concerns over this issue. I am ready to take the Smart Keyboard back to the Apple Store and tell them to fix it, but it sounds like this is a software/OS issue, not a hardware issue.

FSHTANK, thanks for the comment. The problem is either a hardware (Smart Keyboard) defect or a software glitch. My "delete” has been working for two days when trying to delete mail, but I have no confidence that will continue as the problem is intermittant. In either case, it is an Apple problem to recognize and cure. One commenter said that he called Apple and the technicians didn't know what he was talking about, In fact, this problem has been around for a while and there is a lot of discussion on the Web. To me, it is clearly an iOS 11 issue that Apple needs to cure. Thanks for adding your voice.

12.9 iPad Pro User with Smat Keyboard running IOS 11.1.2. Delete key worked in mail for a couple days and then stoped. I also have a major issue where my smart keyboard keeps turning on and off my iPad leaving my iPad dead when I go to use it. Apple Store support has been amazing. They have a replaced the keyboard once and the iPad twice. Last replacement I’ve reinstalled everything new– NOT from back up. I’m about to loose my mind that this continues to happen. Apple sells the iPad Pro as a “replacement“ to a laptop and I’m trying to follow this direction. Please fix the delete key issue and Smart Keyboard connection issues.

Thanks for the heads-up. My iPad Pro was problem freee for about a week and now it is touch-and-go again. Very frustrating. Multiple restarts, separating the iPad from the Smart Keyboard finally got it working again.

Wow... Just spent about 30-minutes with Apple Support talking about this issue, and the tech felt it was a Smart keyboard hardware problem. I pointed her to this discussion and she felt it could be a software issue and offered this "solution":

"To know if this is software, you can back up the iPad, and restore it as new (thats restore it to factory settings with iTunes, and then set it up without a backup). Then you can add your mail account, and test it with the keyboard. If the issue persists then its going to need more investigation and we would need to reach out to a further source after trying these steps.

I pointed out that given the other complaints here, the evidence pointed at iOS 11 as the potential problem, but she insisted on doing the restore, etc. I really don't want to do that, so if there's anyone else who wants to try, or has tried, please do and post the results.

OMG don't waste your time. I've already been down this road and it didn't work. Apple has replace my keyboard and the iPad twice now. Last time replacing iPad I installed all the apps from from iTunes and not from back. Lot of work and waste of time. Problem still exists.

Allprint175, much thanks... I figured as much, and it's why I really didn't want to go down that road. Frankly, I'm hoping more and more iPad users call Apple Support to voice their complaints on this issue to get it fixed. So frustrating!

This is really crappy for Apple—to not even acknowledge the problem and to suggest a complicated "fix” without being able to represent that it will work. It is obvious that this is a widespread problem that is not a hardware (Smart Keyboard) defect. My iPad went through a meltdown again over the weekend when the zoom function didn't work nor the reply/reply all arrow. All problems arose after iOS 11 was issued. Multiple resets termporarily solve the problem, but it/they come back.

Just to add in here. I have the exact same issues as you all but I’m using a 1st generation Apple Bluetooth keyboard with iPad Pro 12.9 2017.

This suggests it’s not hardware or at least not isolated to the Apple Smart Keyboard.

Same here! Unboxed my brand new iPad Pro 10.5 yesterday, followed by iOS upgrade to latest and the delete key on Mail.app is still not working. Most part of us bought iPad Pro for Smart Keyboard and shortcuts options. This is not about this shortcut not working properly on 3rd party applications, its about Apple native email client, as documented on the help text that appears when we long-press command key on Mail.app.

C’mon Apple, you are better than this.

ANx

Anxanywhere, the problem is random. If I reset my iPad enough times, the key will work for a period of time—then poof. I also have periods when the “reply arrow” doesn’t work (or the trash can icon), but a reset seems to resolve that. It’s highly frustrating and not very “apple.” They should get iOS 11 fixed.

Digitalsr2 and all others that have replied.... i am in the same boat. I actually purchased a new Smart Keyboard due to my last one and the case breaking. I have had this issue for a bit and everything you all have recommended i have tried. When I first purchased my iPad Pro 12.9 i had this issue and did a hard reset of the iPad and everything started working... I have tried everything and nothing has helped. I REALLY HOPE APPLE OPENS THEIR EYES AND ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE!!!!