The basic connection process
A Zagg keyboard connects to your iPad through Bluetooth, the wireless standard that lets devices talk to each other without a cable. The keyboard and iPad need to find each other first — this is called pairing — and then they stay connected whenever they're both turned on and in range. The whole process takes about two minutes and you only have to do it once.
Before you start, make sure your Zagg keyboard is charged or has fresh batteries, depending on which model you own. Check the bottom or back of the keyboard for a small battery compartment or a charging port. A keyboard with a dead battery won't turn on, and your iPad won't be able to find it.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on your Zagg keyboard and put it in pairing mode by holding the power button for three to five seconds until you see a blinking light.
- Open Settings on your iPad, tap Bluetooth, and wait for your keyboard to appear in the list of available devices.
- Tap your keyboard's name in the Bluetooth list, and your iPad will ask you to confirm the pairing with a code that appears on both screens.
- Once paired, your keyboard will reconnect automatically whenever you turn it on and open your iPad, as long as Bluetooth is enabled on both devices.
Turning on your keyboard and entering pairing mode
Locate the power button on your Zagg keyboard. On most models, it's a small switch or button on the side or back edge. Press and hold it for three to five seconds. You should see a light on the keyboard start to blink — usually blue or white — which means the keyboard is now in pairing mode and searching for a device to connect to.
If the light doesn't blink after holding the power button, try holding it longer, up to ten seconds. Some Zagg models require a longer press. If you still see no light, the keyboard's battery may be empty. Charge it for at least 30 minutes and try again.
Keep the keyboard close to your iPad during this process — within three feet is ideal. Bluetooth works best when devices are nearby, and pairing fails more often when they're far apart.
Opening Bluetooth settings on your iPad
On your iPad, open the Settings app. It's the gray icon with gears on it, usually on your home screen or in the app library. Tap it to open the main settings menu.
Look for the word "Bluetooth" in the left-hand column. Tap it. You should now see a list of devices that your iPad has found. Make sure the Bluetooth toggle at the top is turned on — it should be blue or green, not gray. If it's gray, tap it once to turn Bluetooth on.
Wait a few seconds. Your Zagg keyboard should appear in the list of available devices. It will usually show up with a name like "Zagg Pro Keys" or "Zagg Keyboard" followed by some numbers. If you don't see it after ten seconds, go back and check that your keyboard's light is still blinking.
Completing the pairing
Tap the name of your Zagg keyboard in the Bluetooth list. Your iPad will immediately start trying to connect. Within a few seconds, a small window should pop up on your screen showing a six-digit code. This same code will also appear on your keyboard's screen or display, if it has one.
Look at both screens and confirm that the codes match. If they do, tap "Pair" on your iPad. If the codes don't match, tap "Cancel" and start over from the power button step. A mismatch usually means another device tried to connect at the same time, or the pairing timed out.
After you tap "Pair," wait a few seconds. The blinking light on your keyboard should stop blinking and stay solid, which means the connection is complete. Your keyboard is now paired with your iPad.
Testing the connection and troubleshooting
Open any app where you can type — Notes, Mail, or a web browser search box all work. Tap in the text field and try typing a few words on your Zagg keyboard. The text should appear on your screen. If it does, your keyboard is working.
If nothing appears when you type, first check that the keyboard is still on — the light should be solid or on, not off. Then check that Bluetooth is still on in your iPad's Settings. If both are on but the keyboard still isn't working, turn the keyboard off completely, wait five seconds, turn it back on, and try typing again.
If your keyboard was previously paired with a different iPad or device, it may try to reconnect to that device instead of your current iPad. In this case, unpair it from the old device first. Go to that device's Bluetooth settings, find your keyboard in the list, and tap the "i" icon or "Forget" option next to it.
Reconnecting after turning off
Once your keyboard is paired, you don't have to pair it again. The next time you turn on your Zagg keyboard, it will automatically search for your iPad. If your iPad's Bluetooth is on, the two will connect within a few seconds, and you'll see the solid light on the keyboard.
If your keyboard doesn't reconnect after you turn it on, check that Bluetooth is enabled on your iPad. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle is on. If it is, turn your keyboard off and on again. If it still won't connect after that, unpair it and repeat the pairing steps above.
Your keyboard will stay paired even if you restart your iPad or turn the keyboard off. Pairing is permanent until you manually forget the device in Bluetooth settings.
What to do if pairing fails
If your keyboard doesn't appear in the Bluetooth list after you've held the power button and waited, try these steps in order. First, turn the keyboard completely off, wait ten seconds, and turn it back on. Then check that Bluetooth is on in your iPad's Settings. If the keyboard still doesn't show up, restart your iPad by holding the power button and swiping to power off, then turning it back on.
If you've tried all of these and the keyboard still won't appear, the keyboard may have been paired with too many other devices. Most Zagg keyboards can only remember a few devices at a time. Unpair it from any other iPads, iPhones, or computers you've used it with. Go to each device's Bluetooth settings, find the keyboard, and tap "Forget This Device." Then try pairing with your current iPad again.
If the keyboard still won't pair after that, try a factory reset. Hold the power button for ten to fifteen seconds — longer than the normal pairing press — until the light blinks rapidly or changes color. This clears all previous pairings. Then repeat the pairing steps above with your iPad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Zagg keyboard with multiple iPads at the same time?
No, your keyboard can only connect to one device at a time. You can pair it with multiple iPads, but it will only work with whichever one you're currently using. To switch to a different iPad, turn the keyboard off, turn it back on, and it will reconnect to whichever iPad is nearest and has Bluetooth on.
Why does my keyboard keep disconnecting?
The most common reason is that Bluetooth on your iPad got turned off. Check Settings and make sure the Bluetooth toggle is on. If it keeps turning itself off, restart your iPad. If your keyboard is far from your iPad — more than thirty feet away — it may also disconnect. Move closer and try again.
Do I need to charge my Zagg keyboard while using it?
If your keyboard is rechargeable, you can use it while it's charging. If it uses replaceable batteries, you don't need to charge it, but you should replace the batteries when the keyboard stops responding to key presses. Most battery-powered Zagg keyboards last several months per set of batteries.
What if I forgot which Zagg keyboard is mine in the Bluetooth list?
Turn on only the keyboard you want to pair, then look at the Bluetooth list. The one that appears is yours. If multiple keyboards are on, turn all but one off, and the remaining one will show up in the list.
Can I use my Zagg keyboard with other Apple devices like an iPhone?
Yes, Zagg keyboards work with iPhones, iPods, and Mac computers. The pairing process is the same on all Apple devices. You'll need to pair it separately with each device, but once paired, it will switch between them automatically based on which one is closest and has Bluetooth on.