Apple’s Magic Keyboard is a pricey accessory – but a highly usable one. Just like the company’s commercials say, it can genuinely transform your iPad into a laptop-like device. You may think there’s a learning curve, but it’s because you’re expecting it to be more difficult than it is. Read this quick tutorial to learn how to use and connect an Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad.
Which iPads Are Compatible with the Magic Keyboard?
First, let’s get a quick overview of what you need to use the Magic Keyboard. Keep in mind that the Apple Magic Keyboard is compatible with an iPad 10th Gen, iPad Pro 11-inch (all generations), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd Gen and newer), and iPad Air (4th Gen and newer). Aside from that, your iPad must be running iPadOS 13.4 or later.
Good to know: trying to decide between the two lower-priced iPads? Read our guide on iPad vs. iPad Air.
How to Connect the Magic Keyboard to Your iPad
The keyboard has two different designs, depending on which iPad you’re attaching it to. If you connect the Apple Magic Keyboard to an iPad Pro or iPad Air, it has a keyboard connected to a lid via a sturdy hinge. That lid, even though it’s very slim and light, has magnets embedded throughout its body, keeping your iPad firmly attached.
That’s really all you need to do. Your iPad will recognize the keyboard and will automatically connect to it. There’s no pairing required and no charging, either, as it works off the battery on your iPad. To learn more about its design, make sure to read our hands-on Magic Keyboard review.
Looking to learn how to connect an Apple Magic Keyboard Folio to an iPad 10th Gen? It’s a folio design, so is a bit different, but just like the other design, there’s no charging or pairing required. It has two pieces: one attaches to the back of your iPad. The other is the keyboard, which gets attached to the Smart Connector on your iPad, providing power to it.
This design allows you a few more viewing options. You catch detach it easily, flip it around so that it’s “easel” style, or leave it in a laptop style. All that is aside from being able to easily adjust the angle of the iPad, just as you can with the other design.
Tip: is your Apple Pencil not working? We can show you how to get it working again.
The Essential Magic Keyboard Shortcuts
If you have a Mac, you already know plenty of helpful keyboard shortcuts. However, to help you get started, a few of the shortcuts that work particularly well with the Apple Magic Keyboard are listed below:
- Command + H: return to your iPad’s Home screen.
- Command + Space Bar: activate iPadOS search. Type anything, then move through the search results using the Arrow keys. Press Enter to select.
- Command + Tab: switch to the most recently used app. You can also hold down the Command key, and press Tab to switch between multiple apps.
- Command + Shift + 3: take a screenshot.
- Command + Shift + 4: take a screenshot, and open the Markup tool, letting you edit your photo and save it locally to your tablet (or share it with someone).
- Command + Option + D: hide or show the Dock.
How to Change and Customize Keyboard Shortcuts
At any moment, you are free to customize and even unlock new shortcuts, which will most definitely come in handy. Follow the steps below to assign key combinations to specific actions.
Open the Settings app, then tap on Accessibility. Scroll down a bit, and tap on Keyboards. Tap on Full Keyboard Access, then enable it.
Tap on Commands, and select any command to edit it. Press a custom key combination to assign it, then select Done.
Check These Essential Magic Keyboard Gestures
If you want true power from an Apple Magic Keyboard, you will want to incorporate gestures along with the keyboard shortcuts. Some of the more helpful gestures are listed below:
- Click/Select: tap with one finger until you hear a click. This is one of the essential gestures, used to select an item anywhere within the iPadOS interface.
- Click and Hold: press and hold to select an item and pick it up for any extra actions, such as moving it.
- Open the Dock: use one finger to swipe in a short motion past the bottom of the screen.
- Go Home: swipe up with three fingers. If you do that slowly, you’ll enter the Multitasking view. If you do that quickly, you’ll return to the Home screen.
- Launch Control Center: click with one finger on the status icons in the top right.
- Zoom: zoom in using two fingers. Pinch open to zoom in, or pinch closed to zoom out.
- Launch Search: swipe with two fingers from the top of the Home screen to launch search in iPadOS.
- Secondary Click: click using two fingers to open any drop-down menu, revealing a set of extra actions.
Even though you know how to connect the Apple Magic Keyboard to your iPad, you still may not feel it’s the right choice for you. If that’s the case, check out our overview of the best alternatives to Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
However, if you do feel it’s the right choice but feel the price may be a little too much for you, consider this deal on the Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad 10th Gen. It’s an open box deal, meaning the box has been previously opened, most likely by another customer who returned it. However, they have been verified to still be in new condition and have been placed in new packaging.
Save 65%, and pay just $84.97. Get free shipping as well. This offer is good through December 17.
All screenshots by Laura Tucker.
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