How to Connect a Keyboard to an iPad Pro

Last Updated: February 10, 2020

Is the digital keyboard on your iPad Pro not working for you? Or do you just prefer the experience of typing on a physical keyboard to tapping on a screen? This wikiHow teaches you how to connect an Apple Smart Keyboard or a Bluetooth keyboard to your iPad Pro.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Connecting an Apple Smart Keyboard

1
Plug the keyboard into your iPad Pro using the Smart Connector. You'll find the Smart Connector on the back of your iPad Pro (11-inch or 3rd generation 12.9-inch). It has three small magnetic contacts.^{[1]
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2
Slide your iPad into Type position. With the keyboard attached, you'll want to turn your iPad horizontally and tilt it into the groove above the number keys. The keyboard should be in front of your iPad and it should make the shape of a triangle.

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3
Type on your keyboard. When you open apps that would normally launch the software keyboard, you can use the physical keyboard. If the software keyboard appears, tap the keyboard icon to make it disappear.
- If the Smart Keyboard isn't working, check if there is any debris or plastic in the Smart Connector. You can disconnect the Smart Keyboard, restart your iPad, and reconnect the Smart Keyboard to see if you can fix the problem.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Connecting a Bluetooth Keyboard

1
Turn on your keyboard. On most wireless keyboards, you'll find the power button/switch on the side.
- If your keyboard doesn't turn on, it most likely doesn't have power. You'll find the instructions for charging your specific keyboard with the original packaging. Most keyboards, like the Magic keyboard from Apple, come with a cable for charging.^{[3]
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2
Open Settings
on your iPad. You'll find this grey gear icon on one of your Home screens or by searching.
3
Tap Bluetooth. This should be the third listing in the menu.^{[4]
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4
Toggle the "Bluetooth" switch to the On
position. When Bluetooth is on, you'll see a list of names of discoverable devices.
5
Tap the keyboard's name. Unless you changed the display name of the keyboard, this should be the manufacturer and model name of the keyboard you want to use.^{[5]
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6
Type on your keyboard. When you open apps that would normally launch the software keyboard, you can use the physical keyboard. If the software keyboard appears, tap the keyboard icon to make it disappear.