Magic Keyboard Battery Life

[SoYoung]

Is this problem only affect launch ones? Because I ordered mine after that and received on may 4. I can’t tell so far if its affect the battery more than usual because I don’t use the keyboard all the time and my screen brightness is always very high so my battery always drained faster than the average user.

If auto-brightness is off and I completely turn off the keyboard brightness, do you think the problem could be there as well? I think if the problem is important enough Apple will do a recall.

 

[Ipadlover29]

Is this problem only affect launch ones? Because I ordered mine after that and received on may 4. I can’t tell so far if its affect the battery more than usual because I don’t use the keyboard all the time and my screen brightness is always very high so my battery always drained faster than the average user.

If auto-brightness is off and I completely turn off the keyboard brightness, do you think the problem could be there as well? I think if the problem is important enough Apple will do a recall.

I have auto brightness turned off and the backlight on the keyboard is off also. I’m stil experiencing battery drain. 1-2 hours less than normal usage.

 

[The Game 161]

Early days but with auto brightness off battery life is already better and not draining as fast.

backlit is yet to come on this morning at all.

50 mins screen time with 96% left.

i sill think this is the fault of the latest IOS update as since my update I’m getting app refreshes and safari freshes which shouldn’t happen on 6GB of ram

 

[The Game 161]

46% left with 5 hours, 16 mins screen time

Massive improvement just having auto brightness off

 

[Nikhil72]

I have a launch keyboard without heavy draw. Used it for 1 hour last night with keyboard light on with auto brightness on and only lost 5% 12.9 2020

 

[Np2350]

Anyone here on the Latest Beta have any findings?

 

[Apples Apples Everywhere]

I just got off a call with Apple Support. They contacted me about the iPad Pro battery drainage problem I reported when using the original magic keyboard. They were requesting that I help them figure out what is happening as they would like more data to see why this is happening. They are asking, and I agreed, to keep a log of my usage and the battery % to see over the next hours the difference between the original magic keyboard and the new one.

I have canceled my order to give this problem time to shake out.

 

[papbot]

I have canceled my order to give this problem time to shake out.

I got my MKB the first week of May. I felt it might have caused more battery drain, especially after seeing the threads here, although some of what I was experiencing may just have been my using it a lot when I first got it. But the last two days I tried to keep an eye on it as I used it for one day. Then the next day I swapped it for the keyboard folio that I also have and tried to use it in the same general way for the day and see where I was with the battery. There’s no way for this to be exact but I tried to generally do the same things for the same amount of time on both days. With the MKB I intentionally avoided using the trackpad. So last night I checked the battery status after using it with the folio and it was almost exactly the same as with the MKB, i did not shut off backlighting, left it working as it was one of the primary reasons for getting this. Today I’m back with the MKB using the trackpad as well so I’ll see this evening what the impact of that is. But without the trackpad my experience was really the same between the folio keyboard and the MKB. I have the 2018 12.9 iPP.

So I have to say I’m pleased so far since I expected a battery hit just because of the backlighting but it seemed to be minimal when I paid close attention. The track pad may well cause a noticeable hit which I’ll see this evening but unless it’s major there doesn’t, yet, seem to be a reason make battery usage a reason not to get this.

 

[papbot]

I just checked this evening after using the MKB and the trackpad. Subjectively I’d say there was a bit more battery drainage than last night using the keyboard folio, which is reasonable since that keyboard has no trackpad nor backlighting. And it seems to have used just a bit more than the other night when I didn’t use the trackpad. But really without some way of electronically measuring this, I tried keeping the usage the same over the 3 nights, if you held a gun to my head I’d have to say I don’t really notice much difference at all. There has to be some but certainly not enough to be significant or bother me at all. Now everyone will use this device differently so my experience may not be applicable to anyone else’s.

 

[Benito]

I’ve been using the new magic keyboard now today and yesterday. I’m a bit less convinced that mine battery drain was from a defective unit. I’m thinking that you guys who said it is software related may be correct. I can’t imagine that iPadOS 13.5 will fix it, but that would be nice.

 

[Ipadlover29]

I’ve been using the new magic keyboard now today and yesterday. I’m a bit less convinced that mine battery drain was from a defective unit. I’m thinking that you guys who said it is software related may be correct. I can’t imagine that iPadOS 13.5 will fix it, but that would be nice.

Thanks for your update. I was just going to message you and ask you what the result was. Not sure if you read the review from pc magazine. It stated in the review that a major con of the magic keyboard is battery drain. They say it like it just normal and not a defect.

Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Review

Apple's beautifully built Magic Keyboard turns your iPad Pro into a laptop with satisfying keys and a trackpad—at a very high price.

www.pcmag.com

 

[The Game 161]

I managed to get nearly 9 hours screen time yesterday so for me i don’t think there is an issue.

I have noticed though the backlit isn’t judging itself. I have to manually do it. I have it 0% during the day as lets face it don’t need backlit on during the day

 

[Benito]

I still suspect that there is a software issue, the Magic Keyboard is probably causing prolonged polling for events even when not activity being used and this doesn’t allow the ipad to power down. Anyhow, I’m still working with Apple Support and they will be collecting my battery and usage data for the next several days.

 

[zhenya]

I still suspect that there is a software issue, the Magic Keyboard is probably causing prolonged polling for events even when not activity being used and this doesn’t allow the ipad to power down. Anyhow, I’m still working with Apple Support and they will be collecting my battery and usage data for the next several days.

There isn’t a problem. I’ve demonstrated with real numbers and math how even a tiny amount of power consumption has an impact of the order of magnitude that you are experiencing. Do you think that the keyboard is powered for free?

This post indicates that the measured power consumption of the keyboard and trackpad on a Macbook Air is around 2.4w. The Magic Keyboard for iPad is probably a bit lower than that - but almost certainly no less than 1W. 1W=2 hours reduced battery life on an iPad Pro.

 

[Benito]

There isn’t a problem. I’ve demonstrated with real numbers and math how even a tiny amount of power consumption has an impact of the order of magnitude that you are experiencing. Do you think that the keyboard is powered for free?

This post indicates that the measured power consumption of the keyboard and trackpad on a Macbook Air is around 2.4w. The Magic Keyboard for iPad is probably a bit lower than that - but almost certainly no less than 1W. 1W=2 hours reduced battery life on an iPad Pro.

That maybe the case, but I am comparing the battery drain compared with the Smart Keyboard which would also have an associated power consumption. I agree obviously using the trackpad will use power, but I still am of the opinion that there is a problem. I went a day without touching the trackpad and the battery drain was still the same. I really wonder if there is a software problem and the iPad Pro is polling the magic keyboard too often or for too long after use.

 

[Nikhil72]

That maybe the case, but I am comparing the battery drain compared with the Smart Keyboard which would also have an associated power consumption. I agree obviously using the trackpad will use power, but I still am of the opinion that there is a problem. I went a day without touching the trackpad and the battery drain was still the same. I really wonder if there is a software problem and the iPad Pro is polling the magic keyboard too often or for too long after use.

If there is it must be a bug. I left my 12.9 with magic keyboard attached overnight for 8 hours and it lost 2% which is within the norm for this device. Mind you I’m running 13.5 right now

 

[Techwatcher]

No battery in the Keyboard. Nonetheless, it doesn't even drain my iPad Pro as bad as I expected.

 

[zhenya]

That maybe the case, but I am comparing the battery drain compared with the Smart Keyboard which would also have an associated power consumption. I agree obviously using the trackpad will use power, but I still am of the opinion that there is a problem. I went a day without touching the trackpad and the battery drain was still the same. I really wonder if there is a software problem and the iPad Pro is polling the magic keyboard too often or for too long after use.

The Smart Keyboard does not have a backlight or a trackpad - both of which are higher power consumption than a keyboard, and will see much higher use. Most people with a Smart Keyboard connected will probably only be typing 10-50% of the time. With the backlight and trackpad, it may be in use 50-100% of the time.

Not at all the same thing.

If you are having a sleep drain, that is a different issue altogether.

 

[Benito]

The Smart Keyboard does not have a backlight or a trackpad - both of which are higher power consumption than a keyboard, and will see much higher use. Most people with a Smart Keyboard connected will probably only be typing 10-50% of the time. With the backlight and trackpad, it may be in use 50-100% of the time.

Not at all the same thing.

If you are having a sleep drain, that is a different issue altogether.

I have the keyboard backlighting off completely yet the drain is noticeably greater than the Smart Keyboard. I don’t know, I still think there is a software bug affecting my iPad Pro.

 

[hovscorpion12]

Has anyone received replacement keyboards to test?

 

[papbot]

I have the keyboard backlighting off completely yet the drain is noticeably greater than the Smart Keyboard. I don’t know, I still think there is a software bug affecting my iPad Pro.

I agree with you. On mine I see virtually little to no difference in battery usage between my keyboard folio and my Magic Keyboard with trackpad on the same iPad. With all the other posts here and elsewhere about battery usage there obviously is an issue for some. But I don’t believe it’s hardware related. So far the only software issue that I’m seeing, I think, is the trackpad scrolling that starts to lag or fail altogether. A restart of my ipad seems to have cleared that for now.

But some have mentioned seeing the backlighting remaining on even with the case closed, a large variance in brightness levels as well. On mine the backlighting goes off completely after about 5 seconds of no interaction with either the screen, keyboard or trackpad. As soon as I do anything, tap the trackpad, tap a key or touch the screen the backlighting comes back on. I believe that’s how it’s supposed to work. But obviously is not for some. There definitely seems to be a software issue which leads me to believe getting a replacement keyboard may be a waste of time except in a very small number of cases.

 

[Acorn19]

I used to get roughly 10 hours sot without the keyboard and maybe now get 9 hours with it but that’s not to empty normally to about 20% left, I’m more than happy with that considering my surface laptop struggled for 7 hours till completely empty. Mine is a launch day 12.9 qwerty.

Has anyone looked into the regions of these keyboards and layouts as they would presumably be made on different production runs, also I am using standard software not the beta which may cause some issues?

It’s probably more to do with individual usage scenarios and specific apps, I mainly usage safari which being an Apple app has been optimised for the pointer could people having issues potentially be using chrome oR Microsoft office which haven’t been properly optimised for the trackpad yet

 

[The Game 161]

I got over 9 hours yesterday and today i’m on 9 hours screen time with 26% left so it’s clearly got better

so it’s in range with what apple say you should get

 

[thenumbersrbad]

Has anyone received replacement keyboards to test?

I basically have to charge everyday or every other day. I have a replacement keyboard coming. Hasn’t shipped yet.

it took three people to get the keyboard repair setup. First person was going to setup the replacement but said they were having issues with the system. Second person said it wasn’t an option and that AppleCare+ wasn’t available on the keyboard (directly it isn’t but is covered under the AppleCare+ of the iPad.) and finally they suggested I talk with a senior advisor and they were able to get it setup for me.

 

[papbot]

I basically have to charge everyday or every other day. I have a replacement keyboard coming. Hasn’t shipped yet.

it took three people to get the keyboard repair setup. First person was going to setup the replacement but said they were having issues with the system. Second person said it wasn’t an option and that AppleCare+ wasn’t available on the keyboard (directly it isn’t but is covered under the AppleCare+ of the iPad.) and finally they suggested I talk with a senior advisor and they were able to get it setup for me.

My iPad Pro is now my primary device. I rarely use my laptop anymore. I always charge mine every day, keyboard or not. I can go into a second day but wouldn’t make it through the whole day with the same usage. If you’re charging every or every other day it sounds normal to me. If that’s a big change for you then it may be something else. I do believe iOS 13 has resulted in more battery usage than previously but my Magic keyboard hasn’t worsened it much, very little compared to the keyboard folio that I also have. My guess is that battRey drainage issues is connected more to either software or increased usage. Especially for those who have seen their backlighting on even with the ipad locked.