As you take out your Smart Keyboard and try to connect it to your iPad, you find that the iPad throws a weird error saying “This accessory is not supported by this device”.
- Apple Keyboard Wired
- Apple Keyboard Switch Devices Keyboard
- Apple Keyboard Switch Devices Bluetooth
- Scissor Switch Keyboard Apple
- Keyboard Device Manager
Resisting your urges to throw the iPad right across the room and flip the table like a madman, you try to keep reconnecting the keyboard see if it somehow gets it to work.
But nope. Same error.
Having been in a similar situation and understanding the fragility of Apple’s shitty products, in this guide, I’ll show you a few ways that you can try and fix when your iPad or iPad Pro’s Smart Keyboard shows the “This accessory is not supported by this device” error.
Let’s dive right in.
iPad Pro Smart Keyboard Says “This accessory is not supported by this device”: 6 Ways
This issue came up for me when I purchased an Apple Bluetooth keyboard. The reason I splurged on the $70 device was because I needed a keyboard for my aging Macbook (the spacebar had become unstable), and I wanted a keyboard for my iPad. When I got the keyboard home, that’s when things went a little weird.
1. Firstly, Check if your iPad is Updated.
It’s important to keep your iPad updated regularly. All it takes is just going into the Settings and then General and then Software Update to check if there are any new updates waiting for to be downloaded.
You can actually have a look at Apple’s page regarding what’s new with each new update. More often than not, updates are rolled out to fix certain bugs and issues especially like when your iPad Pro’s Smart Keyboard says “This accessory is not supported by this device”.
Update and try once again. If there is no update or if the update did not fix the issue, keep reading.
2. Turn Off and On your iPad.
- To disconnect the keyboard, click on your keyboard's name and click the 'Remove device' button that pops up. When it asks if you're sure you want to disconnect the device, click 'Yes.'
- The very last steps you may need to take might be to unpair the Apple Wireless Keyboard from your iPad (tell the iPad to “forget this device” in Bluetooth settings), power down both the Apple Wireless Keyboard (I removed the AA batteries) and restart your iPad. The name should change take effect when you pair next pair the two devices.
- Apple may consider its keyboard magic, but it clearly hasn’t seen Matias’ Wireless Backlit Keyboard. This aluminum keyboard includes a full-sized numeric pad, two separate batteries for powering the keyboard and backlight, the ability to pair with four different devices and easily switch between them, and much more.
- To switch the keyboard back to the Mac, on the iPad switch off Bluetooth, then switch it on on the Mac. Once the keyboard is paired, you can re-enable Bluetooth on the iPad for the benefit of other devices (and vise-versa on the Mac), but the keyboard will stay with its initial partner.
Another little go-to method is to simply restart your iPad by turning it off and then back on again. You may or may not have done this already.
Just got your iPad and don’t know how to restart the iPad?
Here’s how:
Step 1: Firstly remove your keyboard from your iPad. Then go ahead press and hold down on the On/Off/Sleep button that is located to the top right-hand corner of your iPad.
Step 2: Next, keep holding the button down until you see the “Slide to Power Off” screen on the iPad.
Step 3: Just move the Slide to power off slider all the way to the right to turn the iPad off.
Apple Keyboard Wired
Step 4: Finally, you should see a small, spinning wheel right at the center of your iPad’s screen before it shuts down. You can proceed to press the On/Off/Sleep button once again to turn it back on.
Done! You can try testing the iPad once again to see if the Smart Keyboard keeps showing the “This accessory is not supported by this device” error.
3. The Switch.
One of the ways that I have managed to fix this little issue is by following the advice that was posted by a user named iPodge in the Apple Support Community.
To sum it up in a few lines: There is this little switch somewhere inside located in the top part of the keyboard. Basically, when you try to snap the keyboard together ready for typing, a magnet on the opposing face is what triggers the switch. So the problem lies with the switch and its magnet where it has lost its magnetic strength.
Now the big question is “how do you fix it”?
Well, try getting a magnet and then rubbing it against the top part of the keyboard (where the switch lies). The magnetic “strength” or flux can be restored and activate the switch to work which allows you to pair up and support the keyboard.
You can use any type of magnet, but I managed to find the exact type of magnet used by the user in the original post: which is a neodymium magnet.
4. Keeping the Smart Connector Clean & Connected.
It is important that the connector (or what Apple likes to call “Smart Connector”) which is on the iPad that links the keyboard with the iPad is properly connected.
Also make sure that there is no unwanted stuff (dirt, debris, lint, paper etc.) left stuck covering the connection pins. You can use a Q-tip or a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe all the debris away. You can also try using a gently blowing air directly into the connectors to remove the debris.
5. Force Reset your iPad.
Force reset is completely different from how you normally restart your iPad by turning it off and back on again.
Note Pc piano software free.
You will not lose any of your data by doing a force reset.
Here’s how you force reset your iPad:
If your iPad does not have a Home button.
Step 1: Press and release the Volume Up button.
Step 2: Good. Now press and release the Volume Down button.
Step 3: Finally, press and hold down the Power button until your iPad restarts.
If your iPad has a Home button.
Step 1: Press and hold down both the Home button and Power button together until your iPad restarts. Done!
Now that you’ve force-reset your iPad, you can try once again to see if the iPad keeps saying “This accessory is not supported by this device” when connected with the Smart Keyboard.
6. Reach out to Apple.
If nothing in this guide has helped to fix the issue, then you can always choose to contact Apple directly and let them know what’s the issue. You can also choose to pay a visit to your nearest Apple Service Center to see if they fix it, especially if your device is still under warranty or Apple Care.
Apple has various warranty programs that many may not know until you actually get to visit them such as the Quality Program or the Repair Program where Apple even services the iPad Pro Smart Keyboard for up to three years.
You can also check out the comments posted below by our amazing readers and find out what has worked for them and what hasn’t.
Don’t forget to share this post!
Shop online and get free, no‑contact delivery, Specialist help, and more.
iPhone 12 Pro
It’s a leap year.
iPhone 12 Pro MaxPre-order starting at 5:00 a.m. PST on 11.6
Available 11.13
iPhone 12
Blast past fast.
iPhone 12 miniPre-order starting at 5:00 a.m. PST on 11.6
Available 11.13
Apple Watch Series 6
The future of health is on your wrist.
iPad Air
iPad Air
Powerful. Colorful. Wonderful.
HomePod mini
Apple One
Bundle up to six Apple services.1 And enjoy more for less.
Apple Keyboard Switch Devices Keyboard
Coming late 2020
Apple Fitness+
A new fitness experience powered by Apple Watch.
Apple Keyboard Switch Devices Bluetooth
Be the first to know when Apple Fitness+ is available.
Apple Card
Get 3% Daily Cash back on purchases from Apple when you use Apple Card.
![Bluetooth Bluetooth](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/electronics/detail-page/Kanex_QWERTYX_en-US_19_original.jpg)