Magic Keyboard for iPad

Lore & Background

The Magic Keyboard for iPad was announced on March 18, 2020, alongside the introduction of mouse cursor support for iPadOS 13. It includes a trackpad and front-and-back protection, as a more capable alternative to the Smart Keyboard. Like the Smart Keyboard, it uses the Smart Connector to draw power, and also comes with a USB-C port for pass-through charging of the iPad Pro. Its keys are backlit and use a scissor-switch mechanism. It attaches magnetically to the iPad Pro or iPad Air, which sits above a cantilever that allows adjusting the viewing angle.

Several revisions of the Magic Keyboard have been released, in black and white colors, and are compatible with 11 in and 12.9 in iPad Pro models from 2018 and later, and 10.9 in iPad Air models from 2020 and later. A version for the entry-level iPad model, called the Magic Keyboard Folio, was released for the iPad (10th generation). This version relies on a two-piece mechanism with separate kickstand and keyboard components to attach to the iPad, instead of a single piece with a cantilever. The Magic Keyboard Folio also features a 14-key function row.

A second-generation thinner Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) was introduced on May 7, 2024, with general availability on May 15, 2024. It features the larger trackpad with haptic feedback and the 14-key function row previously used on the Magic Keyboard Folio. The second-generation Magic Keyboard design was later brought to the iPad Air (M3) on March 4, 2025, but without trackpad haptic feedback, a keyboard backlight, or an aluminum case.

Reader's Guide

The Magic Keyboard for iPad represents Apple's effort to transform the iPad into a laptop-like productivity device. Its significance lies in the integration of a trackpad and scissor-switch keys, drawing power through the Smart Connector rather than requiring separate charging. The introduction of mouse cursor support for iPadOS 13 at the same announcement underscored its role in enabling desktop-style interaction. The keyboard's cantilever design allows adjustable viewing angles, and the inclusion of a USB-C pass-through port addresses charging needs. Later revisions expanded compatibility to newer iPad Pro and iPad Air models, and a dedicated Magic Keyboard Folio for the entry-level iPad introduced a two-piece kickstand design and a 14-key function row. The second-generation version for iPad Pro (M4) added a larger trackpad with haptic feedback and the same function row, while the subsequent iPad Air (M3) version omitted haptic feedback, backlighting, and an aluminum case, indicating tiered feature sets across product lines.

Did You Know?

• The Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad (10th generation) uses a two-piece mechanism with separate kickstand and keyboard components.
• The second-generation Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) features a larger trackpad with haptic feedback and a 14-key function row.