New 12.9-inch iPad Pro Not Compatible With Older Magic Keyboard

[Spikeboss]

Apple being apple, nothing to surprise.

 

[GDF]

That is BS. The 12.9 Magic Keyboard is too expensive to make it a one year and done accessory. It is stuff like that is that will eventually drive away customers. I am the most avid Apple Fanboy and this even pisses me off. At least have it compatible for more than a year Apple or have generous trade in program for your Magic Keyboard!

 

[cardfan]

Pretty surprising how poorly this has been communicated

This is part of the reason they shouldn’t be fooling with cars. Anything that is questionable they like to be silent or no response. Cook has little credibility.

 

[Bearygoodfries1]

Hey guys, as i have iPad pro 12” Gen 3 and a magic keyboard.

I just put 1mm paper between my ipad and magic keyboard and i can close completely fine.

so i think it will work unless apple change magnetic position or connection type or etc.

If this is the case, then there are two reasons why Apple says it’s not compatible:

- More sales/money.

- Possible legal reasons (an angry consumer might sue Apple for any possible incompatibility with the new iPad Pro).

 

[1258186]

This is ridiculous. I think it’s time to abandon the iPad Pro and stick with the MBP.

 

[MaliciousDesign]

This title needs to be changed to say its not "officially" compatible according to Apple. They likely tweaked the design a bit, plus added the white model, but unless they moved the magnets around the old MK will still work.

People have screen protectors and skins and all sorts of stuff on their iPads right now that add up to way more than 0.5mm, and the case closes just fine.

Yes, I am curious about this as well. I could care less if it doesn't fully close, can anyone confirm?

 

[likegadgets]

That may be enough to stop me from upgrading my 2020 iPad.

I too was planning to upgrade, Will pass...... Not spending another $349 for a new keyboard

 

[Crazyjoe]

@obamtl posted the proof: MK2020 will work with the ipad Pro 2021. So any future post about the opposite is senseless - like the original article.

 

[McG2k1]

It just works.

 

[NEV3S]

Next announcement…the new Apple TV remote isn’t backwards compatible with previous Apple TVs

they already said that it is backwards compatible

 

[Calle68]

Well, sell also the not-so-magic keyboard with the "old" iPad and buy a new one ... is it an issue when you buy unit that costs nearly 2k euro which still is not a computer? C'mon guys, it's Apple.

 

[manu chao]

This is intentional obsolescence. Regardless what Apple fanboy sites want to say claiming "There’s no conspiracy to make you buy a new keyboard." Rigghhhhtttt

Then why didn't they make the 11" iPad Pro also half a millimetre thicker?

 

[Amethyst]

As my previous post i just put 1mm (double the additional 0.5mm from m1 ipad pro).
my 2018 12.9“ ipad pro also have glass screen protector on it.

so i think i completely nonsense if old magic keyboard cannot use with m1 ipad pro due to it thickness.

ps. except the change from camera hole or magnetic position or connectors.

 

[jcshas]

A new M1 based MacBook is looking better to me everyday.

 

[MMonberg]

The apple site clearly stats it works with generation 3,4 and 5

 

[sharpimage]

The apple site clearly stats it works with generation 3,4 and 5

The old version been removed from sale.

 

[deevey]

Unless you think the keyboard stopped working on the 2020 iPad, its not eWaste. Just sell it and someone with a 2020 will use it.

I bet it works with the new one, but it may not close perfectly.

Or sell it WITH your old 2020

This people, is the price of extremely high tolerances.

No doubt there would have been complaints about the .5mm gap if they had allowed for it on the old model.

 

[mrochester]

I get your point and the point of many others on here. However, The 2018 and 2020 IPads are still very capable future proof iPads. I don’t consider Apple the one with the consumerism issue. They are just making products. It’s all these folks on here who want to have the yearly upgrade and all the accessories that amazes me. Do what you all want with your money but I upgrade every 3-5 years on each device. Not right or wrong, just saying that it doesn’t make Apple evil. Sure, it would be nice if they could have kept the keyboard the same, but apparently they couldn’t.

the funniest arguement: This creates ewaste... Apple is a hypocrite!

Don’t want ewaste? Don’t make ewaste by upgrading a year old product. Solved. The products didn’t stop working and they are still supported.

Could. Not. Agree. More.

Consumerism is people needlessly buying/upgrading things they don’t need.

Apple releasing new products is not consumerism.

 

[Mannaerts]

Whats new in this version? Didn't even know there was a new version, just a white one

 

[JohnIrvine]

Something doesn’t add up.

1. You can absolutely shove more than 0.5mm‘s worth of paper between the screen of the 12.9” iPad Pro and the keys of the Magic Keyboard and it closes just fine.

2. The CURRENT Smart Keyboard Folio (the softer floppy one) for sale works with all of the current formfactor 12.9” iPad Pro units as well as the upcoming 2021 model, so that means the camera hole and the Smart Connector must be in the same place and the magnet positions haven’t moved, or else it wouldn’t be compatible either.

With those two things being true, I can’t see how the new one COULDN’T fit, work, and close. It just doesn’t make sense.

 

[verdi1987]

As my previous post i just put 1mm (double the additional 0.5mm from m1 ipad pro).
my 2018 12.9“ ipad pro also have glass screen protector on it.

so i think i completely nonsense if old magic keyboard cannot use with m1 ipad pro due to it thickness.

ps. except the change from camera hole or magnetic position or connectors.

The new iPad is 41 grams heavier than the fourth-generation, so maybe the magnets aren't strong enough in the old Magic Keyboard. I guess I'll see what happens (unless someone wants to try adding 41 grams to their fourth-gen).

 

[RobArtLyn]

This might be a slightly cheaper alternative, and oh look it works with iPad gen. 3-5. BlueTooth connection though. So a third party made it work, but Apple could not?​

Brydge 12.9 MAX+​

Compatibility​

IPAD MODELS​

• 12.9 iPad Pro (3rd Generation)
• 12.9 iPad Pro (4th Generation)
• 12.9 iPad Pro (5th Generation)

That keyboard is a brand new product. Trivial to make it backwards compatible. Not the same thing as a product that has been on the market for years.

 

[Synna]

Maybe this point has been made before, but if the 2020 keyboard cannot be used for the 2021 iPad because it would not close properly, shouldn't that mean in reverse that the 2021 keyboard cannot be used with iPads from 2020 and earlier? Those iPads are thinner, so if the 2021 keyboard is optimised to close properly when the 2021 iPad is used, it would probably leave a tiny gap around the hinges when being used with "earlier" iPads.

Thus, I also think it's ridiculous why the older keyboard should not be working anymore.

 

[The Game 161]

No Apple Insider is reporting that an Apple spokesperson confirmed to them that the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros are NOT compatible with the Magic Keyboard now on offer.

Our worse fears came true lol

 

[GuruZac]

Our worse fears came true lol

I know! It was going to be purely a want since I don’t need the M1 horsepower for anything I do…but I’m pretty weak when it comes to restraint from new Apple products lol. I’m happy with my 2018 iPad Pro/Magic Keyboard setup. It’ll work great for another year. I’ve now got my eyes set on potentially getting an M1 MacBook Air, but may wait to see what the 14” MacBook Pros look like.