New 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro can't use previous Magic Keyboard

Buyers of the new 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro will not be able to use the previous model's Magic Keyboard.

As noted by AppleInsider after the new iPad Pro launch, Apple has been listing the Magic Keyboard as "new," prompting speculation about revisions to the design. It's now been revealed that there is a change, and it is to do with accommodating the new iPad Pro's 0.5mm thicker chassis.

According to French site iGeneration, and as spotted by 9to5 Mac, the thicker casing means that the older model cannot be closed precisely.

"The problem is that once closed, the Magic Keyboard tightens the tablet fairly closely," says iGeneration, in translation. "Apple did not leave a millimetre of flexibility, because the accessory must hold the iPad in place.."

"But with this half-millimetre more on the 2021 generation," continues the site, "perhaps this very precise adjustment is problematic and the device had to be reviewed."

The French site claims to have seen confirmation of these details via Apple Store documentation. Official sources within Apple support have now confirmed to AppleInsider that the information is correct.

Apple's Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch iPad Pro is unaffected because that model received no chassis alternations.

Updated: 08:25 ET with confirmation from Apple.

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32 Comments

CiaranF 24 comments · 3 Years

About 3 years ago

Ha! Why am I not surprised? LOL.

Sure you need to buy other accessories for their air tags. They couldn’t be arsed putting a hole in the tag so you could attach to a key ring. A mixture of greed and over aesthetics.

larryjw 1036 comments · 9 Years

CiaranF said:

Ha! Why am I not surprised? LOL.
Sure you need to buy other accessories for their air tags. They couldn’t be arsed putting a hole in the tag so you could attach to a key ring. A mixture of greed and over aesthetics.

Half my keys don’t fit on a key ring because the hole is too narrow. So I need a bunch of small rings to attach to larger rings.

Then of course, keys don’t have much of a problem with water, battery replacement, antenna, stray voltage, or electrical induction, all of which needs to be considered when designing an electronic device.

sunman42 305 comments · 12 Years

larryjw said:

[snip]
Then of course, keys don’t have much of a problem with water, stray voltage, or electrical induction, all of which needs to be considered when designing an electronic device.

Ben Franklin would be surprised to learn that.

jcs2305 1342 comments · 11 Years

larryjw said:

CiaranF said:

Ha! Why am I not surprised? LOL.
Sure you need to buy other accessories for their air tags. They couldn’t be arsed putting a hole in the tag so you could attach to a key ring. A mixture of greed and over aesthetics.

Half my keys don’t fit on a key ring because the hole is too narrow. So I need a bunch of small rings to attach to larger rings.

Then of course, keys don’t have much of a problem with water, battery replacement, antenna, stray voltage, or electrical induction, all of which needs to be considered when designing an electronic device.

I think this is what the OP meant by...

"They couldn’t be arsed putting a hole in the tag so you could attach to a key ring".

u.s.g@me.com 2 comments · 8 Years

This is just ridiculous... I invested just last year on the keyboard and thought it was future proof for a few more models and planned on getting the new iPad from my 2018... just sad