Use your Smart Keyboard Folio or Smart Keyboard with your iPad (2023)

FAQs

Is a Smart Keyboard and a Smart Keyboard Folio the same? ›

Stand your iPad

Fold the Smart Keyboard Folio into the type position: Fold the Smart Keyboard into a triangle with the keyboard in front of your iPad: To use the keyboard, your iPad needs to be in the groove above the number keys and folded in the type position.

Great keyboard, worth the price

It may very well be the most expensive keyboard/case combo for the iPad Pro, but for me, it's worth every penny. Touch typing on the screen is something that has kept me away from the iPad line for a long time. On the iPhone, sure, it's no problem.

The Smart Folio offers a few advantages over the Smart Cover. For instance, the magnets are much stronger, which means if you accidentally pick up your iPad by the case, there's less of a risk of the iPad falling out. Additionally, the new Smart Folio protects the back of the iPad, unlike the Smart Cover.

It's still a nice case so I give it four stars. Quality, slick case. Exactly what I was looking for, protects the screen, turns the screen off, look great, feels high quality, just comes with the typical Apple pricetag, if you're willing to pay for the name then I think it's a good buy. Works well but not very robust.

An iPad with 64GB storage or less is suitable if you want to browse the internet, check your email, Facetime, or watch series. It's enough storage capacity to download apps and play some games.

If you can't connect your iPad to your Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard, or Smart Keyboard Folio. Update your iPad to the latest version of iPadOS. Go to Settings and tap the Software Update Available notification. If you don't see a notification, go to General > Software Update to see if an update is available.

Check for Compatibility. Your Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard, or Smart Folio Keyboard may not be compatible with your iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro model. For example, the first-generation 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard is not compatible with the iPad Pro (2021).

The Smart Folio for iPad Air is thin and light and offers front and back protection for your device. It automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed.

For one, it features a backlit keyboard. For another, it has a trackpad. Both of these features are going to drain your battery a bit, and neither is present on the Smart Keyboard Folio. If you keep the screen brightness down (though not to an uncomfortable level), you should be able to mitigate this drain somewhat.

Is there a better keyboard for iPad? ›

The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 is the best keyboard for iPad we've tested. As its name suggests, it's Apple's flagship model for use with their 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. It uses Apple's Smart Connector feature to connect to the iPad and draw power directly from it.

Magic Keyboard Folio Is Better

First, it is top-heavy, which makes it hard to use on a lap — or anywhere that's not a desk. Laptops are functional on a lap because nearly all the components are contained in the bottom case. The top of the laptop is just a display and camera, for the most part, making it light.

The Magic Keyboard Folio is (almost) great

It's more practical than the normal Magic Keyboard, the typing experience is still excellent, and the function row is unbelievably useful in daily use. But while Apple got the basics nailed down, it's in the smaller details where things begin to fall apart.

does the smart folio for ipad mini hold the apple pencil? No - but the second generation Pencil can still magnetically dock with the iPad while the folio cover is closed over the iPad screen.

The Smart Folio for iPad Pro is thin and light and offers front and back protection for your device. It automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed.

At first I thought it was pretty expensive for a case but it's definitely worth the money. The magnet really adheres to the iPad & the cover also adheres well when you have it folded as a stand or folded completely back. The only con is this case isn't good for those that need protection for the edges.

It's magnetic. So it stays in the case by magnetizing to the Ipad itself. It's slick, so if you do want to take it away from the case, it's very easy. But at the same time, it's a strong enough magnet to keep it attached.

Smart Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio don't require batteries or external power. Smart Keyboard is compatible with the following models: iPad (7th generation and later)

The main difference between the devices is their chips and amount of memory, so if you plan on using your ‌iPad‌ for more demanding tasks like 3D graphic design, advanced photo editing, and gaming, the ‌iPad Air‌ will be the better choice by far.

Apple says the iPad can replace a traditional desktop or laptop for productivity, but that can be a big leap. These apps and tips will help make your iPad into a productivity machine. The iPad has become quite a versatile machine thanks to a combination of powerful hardware and several transformative accessories.

How do I increase storage capacity on my iPad? ›

There are 3 easy ways to increase your iPad storage: Clean up your storage by removing unused or unwanted files or apps. Use an external storage device to boost storage space. Use iCloud storage to store files securely online.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboards, tap Full Keyboard Access, then turn on Full Keyboard Access. Control your iPad using keyboard shortcuts. To customize the keyboard shortcuts, tap Commands.

Disconnect and reconnect the keyboard

Disconnect the Smart Keyboard, turn your iPad off, then turn it back on. Reconnect the keyboard and see if it works.

Because the amount of key travel, the Smart Keyboard Folio actually feels not too dissimilar to the butterfly keyboard on the Mac. The Smart Connector is how the Smart Keyboard Folio connects to your iPad Pro and draws power, meaning it never needs to be plugged in and charged on its own, unlike Bluetooth models.

The Magic Keyboard is an excellent accessory, but it's expensive and heavy, and not everyone needs the trackpad that sets it apart. If you want to use an iPad in place of a laptop, though, it may very well be worth the price.

But not everyone is happy. Several users now say that the Magic Keyboard drains their iPad Pro's battery excessively, reports 9to5Mac. The problem seems most common when the iPad and keyboard are in use and the backlight is turned on, but it's even been reported in cases where the iPad is idle.

The Magic Keyboard is an amazing companion for iPad Pro and iPad Air. It features a great typing experience, a trackpad that opens up new ways to work with iPadOS, a USB‑C port for pass‑through charging, and front and back protection.

The Magic Keyboard offers a floating design and allows the iPad to be adjusted between 90 and 130 degrees, while the Smart Keyboard Folio allows for just two incline positions. Apple says the Magic Keyboard uses a scissor-switch mechanism and has a 1mm key travel.

The Magic Keyboard is — hands down — the best writing tool for the iPad Air and iPad Pro. But if you're going to get one, I recommend getting the white model, as surprisingly, that color will remain looking newer for far longer than the dark gray.

What is the difference between magic and Smart Keyboard for iPad? ›

Here's an easy one: The Magic Keyboard has a trackpad and the Smart Folio Keyboard and Smart Keyboard don't. That's a massive advantage in the Magic Keyboard's favor as you'll have to hook up an external mouse or trackpad to get the same effect with a Smart Keyboard.

Magic Keyboard delivers a remarkably comfortable and precise typing experience. It's also wireless and rechargeable, with an incredibly long-lasting internal battery that will power your keyboard for about a month or more between charges.¹ It pairs automatically with your Mac, so you can get to work right away.

Brydge 12.9 MAX+

Now that iPadOS works with trackpad gestures, it's more important than ever to find a good Magic Keyboard alternative with a top-rate trackpad. The Brydge 12.9 MAX+ (opens in new tab) is the best available, with the largest iPad trackpad on the market.

The Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad is one of the most iconic keyboards on the market. It's no surprise that it's our top pick for the best keyboard for Mac devices, as it's specifically designed to complement them in terms of aesthetics and features.

Stand your Apple Pencil with a Belkin stand

It holds the Apple Pencil upright and protects the tip while also allowing you easy access to the device on your desk. The stand doubles as a case, so you can also use it to store your Pencil safely when you're not using it.

An iPad is a costly device and it is also fragile enough to be broken easily. Therefore, you should use back covers and screen guards to protect it from all sorts of damages.

The Smart Keyboard Folio clicks into place on the back of the iPad Pro, where magnets connect and charge it automatically (meaning there's never any need to fumble around with Bluetooth or a charging cable; this is one keyboard that is always on and always ready.)

The Smart Folio for iPad Pro is thin and light and offers front and back protection for your device. It automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed.

It automatically wakes your iPad when opened and puts it to sleep when closed. The Smart Folio attaches magnetically, and you can easily fold it into different positions to create a stand for reading, viewing, typing, or making FaceTime calls.

For one, it features a backlit keyboard. For another, it has a trackpad. Both of these features are going to drain your battery a bit, and neither is present on the Smart Keyboard Folio. If you keep the screen brightness down (though not to an uncomfortable level), you should be able to mitigate this drain somewhat.

Do folio cases protect iPad? ›

The Smart Folio covers both the front and back of the iPad but not the edges, so it protects the tablet's fragile screen but isn't built to withstand massive drops.

To clean your polyurethane Smart Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, Smart Cover, or Smart Case, first remove it from the iPad. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Wipe the front and the inside with a soft, lint-free cloth.