Apple Says New 12.9-Inch iPad Pro is 'Functionally Compatible' With Older Magic Keyboard, But Fit May Be Imperfect When Closed

The new 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro is 0.5mm thicker than the previous-generation version, which has led to fears that it won't be compatible with the older Magic Keyboard. Apple is offering a new Magic Keyboard that offers a perfect fit, but Apple says you can still use your existing 2020 Magic Keyboard with a 2021 ‌iPad Pro‌.

2021 Magic Keyboard Older iPad
In a Magic Keyboard support document, Apple says the first-generation Magic Keyboard is "functionally compatible" with the fifth-generation ‌iPad Pro‌, but due to the thickness of the tablet, it's "possible" the keyboard won't precisely fit when closed.

The first generation of the Magic Keyboard (A1998) is functionally compatible with the new iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) with Liquid Retina XDR display. Due to the slightly thicker dimensions of this new iPad Pro, it's possible that the Magic Keyboard may not precisely fit when closed, especially when screen protectors are applied.

Apple says that the fit issue will be exacerbated if a screen protector is put on the ‌iPad Pro‌, but it sounds like ‌iPad Pro‌ owners who have a Magic Keyboard already and don't want to shell out another $349 for an updated version can continue to use their existing keyboards.

We'll find out more about how the older Magic Keyboard fits the new 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ when the iPad Pros are released or when reviews come out. Note that this issue only impacts the 12.9-inch model as the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ is the same size and is fully compatible with the original Magic Keyboard.

For those who are concerned about the slight fit issue, Apple has a new version of the Magic Keyboard available for the 2021 ‌iPad Pro‌, which comes in white for the first time in addition to black.

(Thanks, Chris!)

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Caution)

Popular Stories

General Apps Messages Redux

iOS 26: New Messages and Phone App Features Leaked Ahead of WWDC

Friday June 6, 2025 7:27 am PDT by
Apple is planning to announce several new features for the Messages and Phone apps on iOS 26, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Gurman said that the two main changes in the Messages app will be the ability to create polls, as well as the option to set a background image within a conversation. 9to5Mac was first to report...
iPhone 17 Air Size Feature

'iPhone 17 Air' Launching Later This Year With These 17 New Features

Friday June 6, 2025 6:17 am PDT by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the ultra-thin device. Overall, the iPhone 17 Air sounds like a mixed bag. While the device is expected to have an impressively thin and light design, rumors indicate it will have some compromises compared to iPhone 17 Pro models, including worse battery life, only a single ...
macOS Tahoe Render

macOS Tahoe Might Support One Fewer Mac Than Previously Rumored

Saturday June 7, 2025 5:27 am PDT by
macOS 26 will drop support for several older Intel-based Mac models currently compatible with macOS Sequoia, according to a private account on X with a proven track record of leaking information about Apple's software platforms. macOS 26 will be compatible with the following Mac models, the account said:MacBook Air (M1 and later) MacBook Pro (2019 and later) iMac (2020 and later) Mac...
iOS 26 white

iOS 26's Digital Glass Design: Home Screen Widgets, Camera, and More

Friday June 6, 2025 8:32 am PDT by
In a lengthy report outlining his WWDC 2025 expectations today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman shared more details about iOS 26's rumored new design. According to Gurman, iOS 26 will feature a "digital glass" design inspired by visionOS, the operating system for Apple's Vision Pro headset. That is a well-known rumor by now, but he goes on to provide some more specific details, as listed below:There ...
AirTag Backpack

New AirTag With Three Upgrades is 'Nearly Ready' to Launch

Sunday June 8, 2025 11:44 am PDT by
Apple's long-rumored AirTag 2 might be coming soon. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman briefly mentioned that a new AirTag is "nearly ready" to launch. Last year, he said that it would be released around the middle of 2025, and the midpoint of the year is just a few weeks away. "The new AirTag is nearly ready, having been prepared for launch over the past several...
iOS 26 Messages Background Mock Feature

iOS 26 Getting Custom AI-Generated Message Backgrounds, Generative Shortcuts and 'Mixmoji'

Friday June 6, 2025 12:57 pm PDT by
The iOS 26 Messages app is set to gain support for customized backgrounds for conversations, and it appears that AI will be an option for generating different looks. According to Nicolás Alvarez, iOS 26 code suggests that users will be able to generate backgrounds for the Messages app using text-based descriptions. The feature appears to use Image Playground, and there will be Image...

Top Rated Comments

Macintosh IIvx Avatar
54 months ago
But what about all those who were up in arms when it was assumed that it wouldn't be compatible? What about their outrage? And what about all those that don't even own one and still felt the need to fill the forum with complaints?
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benshive Avatar
54 months ago

Apple should offer a 1 for 1 trade in. Disappointed with this news. Money grab Apple. Use some of your profits and personal bonus‘s to help. So bad.
You want the company to give you a brand new case in return for your used case? Why would you buy a case expecting it to work perfectly with future products that you buy?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KPOM Avatar
54 months ago
They should have made this clearer sooner, but it's good that they got the message out before pre-sales began.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Maconplasma Avatar
54 months ago

They should have made this clearer sooner, but it's good that they got the message out before pre-sales began.
How much sooner? They just announced the iPad Pro last week and the item is not even available for preorder yet. ?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dogg Avatar
54 months ago
Sigh of relief.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Arsenikdote Avatar
54 months ago

here come the people with pitchforks...
there was no way for apple to predict this

But what about all those who were up in arms when it was assumed that it wouldn't be compatible? What about their outrage? And what about all those that don't even own one and still felt the need to fill the forum with complaints?

They will just leave their comments alone and get their pitchforks ready for when they found out the price of ram upgrade in the new iMacs

Some most feel really stupid now. ??
You guys are just as bad, you are doing the same thing. Two sides of the same coin. Either be productive or you are just making noise. If you truly want those people to stop, just ignore it. It's one thing to respond to someone's comments directly its another thing to invite the drama. Please stop <big heart emoji here>
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)