Despite its apparently unwavering commitment to using the Lightning port in iPhones, Apple is not usually squeamish about ending support for old accessories and products when it heralds the latest, greatest version of something.
That's especially apparent this week, as it has been revealed that the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro won't work with the Magic Keyboard Apple made for its predecessor just one year ago.Apple FINALLY listened to its business customers and brought us the Magic Keyboard WITH 10-Key. I've been a Mac user for years now and always wanted to be able to use a wireless keyboard. Unfortunately, after trying both the Logitech K750 for Mac and the Kanex MultiSync Aluminum Mac Keyboard with lackluster results, I figured it was a lost. As first noted by Rene Ritchie and confirmed by MacRumors, the Magic Keyboard with Touch ID is fully compatible with all M1 Macs, including the new iMac, 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac.
French website iGeneration was the first to cover the news, explaining that although the 2020 and 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro are mostly similar, the new one is 0.5 mm thicker. The site claimed to have seen Apple documentation saying that the older Magic Keyboard would not be supported. AppleInsider later claimed to receive confirmation directly from Apple that this is the case.
AdvertisementIt's important to note, though, that the Apple Store website does claim that the new Magic Keyboard works with the older iPad Pro models. Also, this only affects the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro; the 11-inch model still works with the previous Magic Keyboard.
That's not the only legacy support issue with Apple's new products this week. While the divisive Siri remote for the 2017 Apple TV 4K included a gyroscope and accelerometer, the redesigned remote for the new Apple TV 4K lacks those features. This change would have no impact on the TV-viewing experience with that device, but it does matter for games. Certain Apple TV games used those sensors to enable iPhone-like inputs and gameplay experiences.
That said, Apple has added support for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series controllers to the Apple TV platform, and while all Apple Arcade games are required to run on Apple TV, a large portion of them require dedicated gamepads to do so. Apple may see efforts to make games playable with its own remote as a dead end and could be looking toward those more traditional controllers for support in the future.
Listing image by Samuel Axon
Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, Magic Mouse 2, and Magic Trackpad 2 have a built-in rechargeable battery that lets you use the devices for extended periods between charges.
You can check your device's charge level by choosing its name from the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
When it's time to charge your device's battery, connect a Lightning to USB cable to its Lightning port, then connect the other end of the cable to your Mac or a USB power adapter.
For the fastest battery charging performance, be sure your device is switched on when connecting the Lightning to USB cable.
Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, and Magic Trackpad 2 can be used while charging. Magic Mouse 2 is unavailable for use while charging.
Find the Lightning port on your Apple device
Magic Keyboard 2
Apple Magic Keyboard 12.9
The Lightning port on Magic Keyboard and Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad is on the back of the device, in the center:
The Lightning port on Magic Mouse 2 is on the underside of the device, beneath the text and markings:
The Lightning port on Magic Trackpad 2 is on the back of the device, in the center:
Learn more
Apple Magic Keyboard Review
- If you have an earlier Apple wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad with removable batteries, learn how to install batteries.
- Find out more about the rechargeable batteries in your Apple device at Batteries - Why Lithium-ion?
- Magic Keyboard for iPad doesn't need to charge, because it doesn't have a battery.