How To Fix Magic Keyboard Not Connecting to iPad?

Last Updated on May 26, 2023 by Ernests Embutnieks

Stuck and wondering, “How To Fix Magic Keyboard not Connecting to iPad?” Don’t worry! Today, I’m going to walk you through how to fix your Magic Keyboard if it’s not connecting to your iPad. This is a problem I’ve come across personally and I know how frustrating it can be, but rest assured, we’ll get through this together!

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First off, let’s establish that the iPad Magic Keyboard doesn’t have its own battery. So, if it’s not working with your iPad, there’s something else going on. Now, let’s move on to potential fixes:

Quick Fix iPad Magic Keyboard
Disconnect & ReconnectPull your iPad off the Magic Keyboard, then reconnect it. Check the connectors for any obstructions.
Hard RestartPress Volume Up, then Volume Down, and hold the Power/Lock button until the Apple logo appears.
Toggle Assistive TouchHead over to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Assistive Touch, and flip the switch on and off.
Check Universal ControlIf you use Universal Control, consider disabling it temporarily to see if it solves the issue.
Update iPadOSEnsure your iPadOS is up to date. You can do this via Settings > General > Software Update.
Backlight CheckIf your problem is with the backlight, make sure it’s turned on and adjust as needed.

1. Disconnect & Reconnect the Magic Keyboard

Sometimes, it’s as simple as physically disconnecting your iPad from the Magic Keyboard and then reconnecting it. Make sure the magnets align perfectly and everything clicks into position. Believe it or not, this simple act often solves connection issues.

While you’re at it, check for any obstructions between the connectors on the iPad and the Magic Keyboard, like dirt or grime. Yes, it’s an odd thing to consider, but trust me, it happens!

Related: iPad Cases That Are Compatible With Magic Keyboard

2. Hard Restart Your iPad

Still no luck? Don’t worry! The next trick is a forced hard restart on your iPad. You’d be surprised at how many issues this can resolve. Just press Volume Up, then Volume Down, and then press and hold the Power/Lock button until you see the Apple logo. This little tech hack can often be the answer to our prayers.

3. Enable then Disable Assistive Touch

Weirdly enough, sometimes toggling Assistive Touch on and off can help with Magic Keyboard issues. You can find Assistive Touch under Settings > Accessibility > Touch. Flip it on and off, and see if that makes any difference. If you’re a fan of voice commands, just ask Siri to do it for you.

4. Universal Control Interference?

Now, if you’re like me and use Universal Control to share a keyboard and mouse between your devices, you might have noticed issues with your Magic Keyboard’s trackpad. Apparently, this bug popped up with macOS Ventura 13.0 and iPadOS 16.1. You could disable Universal Control as a workaround, but I know many of you, like me, love the feature.

5. Install iPadOS Software Updates

Lastly, make sure your iPad is up-to-date with the latest system software. It’s rare, but software issues can interfere with hardware functionality. Plus, it’s always good to have the latest security patches. Just head over to Settings > General > Software Update to ensure you’re up-to-speed.

List of iPads that work with iOS 16

6. Backlight Issues?

If you’re having issues with the Magic Keyboard’s backlight, check if it’s turned on. Adjust the brightness according to your surroundings.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes the easiest option is to just reset everything. Disconnect the keyboard from your iPad and reconnect it, restart your iPad, and clean the magnets, and in most cases, this solves the problem.

Is Magic Keyboard for iPad Worth It?

FAQ

How To Connect Magic Keyboard To iPad?

You remove the magic keyboard from the box and you attach your iPad Pro or iPad Air and the two devices will be connected. There’s no Bluetooth involved and there are no cables involved and there are also no switches.

How To Fix Apple iPad Magic Keyboard Backlight Not Working?

Adjust your backlight options by heading to your Settings application and then going to General > Keyboards > Hardware Keyboard and then adjusting your backlight settings to a maximum in order to turn the backlight on.

Does Apple Magic Keyboard Require Charge?

No, the Apple Magic Keyboard is connected using a magnetic connector and therefore has no internal battery and does not require charging. Different variants of the Magic Keyboard, however, like the ones meant for Mac do require charging.

Magic Keyboard Trackpad Not Working – How To Fix It?

We suggest you try out reconnecting/resetting the Magic Keyboard, cleaning the connectors, turning off Bluetooth so it doesn’t interfere with other devices, and restarting your iPad. If nothing fixed the problem, we recommend going to the Apple store to diagnose the problem, cause most likely, it’s a hardware issue.

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I love tech and all about it. I'm interested in finding ways how they can make my life more productive, and I share my knowledge with my blog readers. I'm an iPad Pro, iPhone, MacBook, and Apple Watch user, so I know a thing or two about these devices and try to write helpful content around these topics.