The basic steps to connect a wireless keyboard

To add a wireless keyboard to your iPad, you turn on the keyboard, open your iPad's Bluetooth settings, and select the keyboard from the list of available devices. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether your keyboard is Bluetooth or connects through a USB receiver.

Most wireless keyboards ship in pairing mode, meaning they broadcast a signal looking for a device to connect to. If your keyboard has been used before, you may need to press and hold a pairing button — usually marked with a Bluetooth symbol or labeled "Connect" — for three to five seconds until a light blinks or changes color.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on your wireless keyboard and put it in pairing mode by pressing and holding the Bluetooth button until the light blinks.
  • Open Settings on your iPad, tap Bluetooth, and wait for your keyboard to appear in the "Other Devices" list.
  • Tap your keyboard's name to complete the connection, which usually takes under one minute.
  • Once paired, your keyboard will reconnect automatically when you turn it on near your iPad.
  • If your keyboard does not appear, restart Bluetooth on your iPad or restart the keyboard itself.

Putting your keyboard in pairing mode

Before your iPad can see your keyboard, the keyboard must be broadcasting a pairing signal. On most Bluetooth keyboards, this happens automatically when you first turn them on. Look for a light on the keyboard — it usually blinks white or blue when the keyboard is searching for a device to pair with.

If the light is steady or off, your keyboard may already be paired to another device or may not be in pairing mode. Press and hold the Bluetooth button — often located on the back, side, or bottom of the keyboard — for three to five seconds. The button may be labeled with a Bluetooth symbol (two overlapping triangles), the word "Connect", or a power symbol. When you hold it, the light should blink faster or change color, signaling that pairing mode is active.

Some keyboards, like Apple's Magic Keyboard, enter pairing mode automatically when turned on for the first time. Others, like Logitech or Microsoft models, may require you to hold the pairing button. Check your keyboard's manual or the manufacturer's website if you are unsure which button to press.

Opening Bluetooth settings on your iPad

Once your keyboard is in pairing mode, open the Settings app on your iPad. Tap Bluetooth in the left menu. Your iPad will begin scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices.

Wait five to ten seconds. Your keyboard should appear in the list under "Other Devices" with its model name — for example, "Logitech K380" or "Magic Keyboard". If you see multiple devices, look for the one that matches your keyboard's name, which is usually printed on the bottom or back of the device.

Completing the pairing connection

Tap your keyboard's name in the Bluetooth list. Your iPad will send a pairing request to the keyboard. On some keyboards, a light will flash or change color to confirm the connection is being made. Within a few seconds, your keyboard should move from the "Other Devices" section to the "My Devices" section, and a checkmark will appear next to its name.

Your keyboard is now paired. You can close the Settings app and start typing. The keyboard will reconnect automatically whenever you turn it on near your iPad, as long as Bluetooth remains on.

What to do if your keyboard does not appear

If your keyboard is not showing up in the Bluetooth list, first check that it is powered on and in pairing mode. Look for a light on the keyboard — if there is no light at all, the battery may be dead. Replace the batteries or charge the keyboard using its USB cable, then try again.

Next, turn Bluetooth off and back on on your iPad. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and toggle it off. Wait five seconds, then toggle it back on. This often refreshes the list of available devices and can help your iPad detect the keyboard.

If the keyboard still does not appear, restart the keyboard itself by turning it off and back on. Some keyboards also have a reset button — a small hole on the back or bottom — that you can press with a paperclip to reset the pairing. Check your keyboard's manual for the location of the reset button if pairing is still not working.

Using your keyboard with your iPad

Once paired, your wireless keyboard works like a physical extension of your iPad. You can type in any app that accepts text input — email, notes, documents, search bars, and web forms. The keyboard does not add any new features to your iPad; it simply replaces the on-screen keyboard.

Your iPad's on-screen keyboard will disappear when a physical keyboard is connected, and reappear if you disconnect the keyboard or tap the keyboard icon in the bottom right corner of the screen. You can also use keyboard shortcuts on your iPad — for example, Command+C to copy, Command+V to paste, and Command+Tab to switch between apps — just as you would on a Mac.

Disconnecting or forgetting a keyboard

If you want to disconnect your keyboard temporarily, simply turn it off. It will not pair automatically the next time you turn it on unless you go back into pairing mode. To permanently remove a keyboard from your iPad, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find the keyboard in "My Devices", and tap the i icon next to its name.

Then tap Forget This Device. The next time you want to use that keyboard, you will need to pair it again from the beginning. This is useful if you are switching to a different keyboard or if you want to clear out old devices from your Bluetooth list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple wireless keyboards with one iPad?

You can pair multiple keyboards to your iPad, but only one can be active at a time. When you turn on a paired keyboard, it will connect automatically. To switch to a different keyboard, turn off the first one and turn on the second. Your iPad will connect to whichever keyboard is powered on and in range.

Why does my keyboard keep disconnecting?

Wireless keyboards disconnect when they run out of battery, move out of Bluetooth range (usually 30 feet), or when Bluetooth is turned off on your iPad. Check your keyboard's battery level, move closer to your iPad, and make sure Bluetooth is on in Settings. Some keyboards also have an auto-sleep feature that turns them off after a period of inactivity.

Do I need a special iPad keyboard or will any Bluetooth keyboard work?

Any Bluetooth keyboard will work with any iPad. You do not need an Apple keyboard or an iPad-specific model. Keyboards made by Logitech, Microsoft, Anker, and other brands pair and function the same way as Apple's keyboards.

What if my keyboard has a USB receiver instead of Bluetooth?

iPads do not have USB ports, so keyboards with USB receivers cannot connect directly. You would need a USB-to-Lightning or USB-C adapter (depending on your iPad model) and a powered USB hub to use a USB keyboard. It is simpler to use a Bluetooth keyboard instead.

Can I use a keyboard case that has a built-in keyboard?

Yes. Keyboard cases with built-in Bluetooth keyboards pair the same way as standalone keyboards. Put the case in pairing mode, open Bluetooth settings on your iPad, and tap the keyboard's name. Once paired, the keyboard will work whenever the case is connected to your iPad.