The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 is designed for use with an 11-inch iPad Pro or an iPad Air, or 12.9-inch iPad Pro, depending on the size you get. It connects to the iPad using a Smart Connector and uses power from the iPad, meaning you don't need to worry about charging it. However, since it uses power from the iPad, you may need to charge your iPad more often. While this also means you can't use it with any other device, it isn't meant to be compatible with anything other than the iPad. It has a USB Type-C port on the Smart Connector hinge for pass-through charging, so you can charge your iPad without having a cable dangling from the iPad itself. Unfortunately, it's quite heavy, which may not be practical when traveling. Also, while the folio cover feels very nice, it only protects the back of the iPad and not the sides.
Our Verdict
The Apple iPad Magic Keyboard is unremarkable for gaming, but it isn't designed for this purpose. You can't use this board with a computer since it's designed to work with iPads only.
- White backlighting.
- Can't set macros.
- Compatible with iPadOS only.
- No function or media keys.
The Apple iPad Magic Keyboard is decent for office use. While it doesn't come with a wrist rest or incline settings, it has a very low profile that should feel comfortable without them. Its tactile scissor switches provide a good typing experience and are very quiet to type on. However, since it's for use with iPads only, you can't use it with any other device or operating system.
- White backlighting.
- Uses quiet scissor switches.
- Compatible with iPadOS only.
- No function or media keys.
The Apple iPad Magic Keyboard is terrible for mobile use, but this is mainly due to its lack of wireless connectivity and since it's compatible with iPads only. This keyboard is only designed to use with the iPad Pro or iPad Air, and it uses Apple's Smart Connector instead of relying on a wireless connection. Otherwise, it feels very well-built and provides a good typing experience, but it's quite heavy. It has a nice back cover, but unfortunately, it only covers the back of the iPad and not the sides.
The Apple iPad Magic Keyboard is unremarkable for programming. You can't set macros to any of the keys, and since it's designed for use with iPads only, you can't use it with any other device or pair it to another operating system.
- White backlighting.
- Can't set macros.
- Compatible with iPadOS only.
- No function or media keys.
The Apple iPad Magic Keyboard isn't designed to use with a home theater PC. You can't pair it to any device except for the iPad it's connected to via Apple's Smart Connector.
- White backlighting.
- Compatible with iPadOS only.
- No function or media keys.
- White backlighting.
- Compatible with iPadOS only.
- No function or media keys.
Changelog
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Updated Mar 14, 2025:
We've added a link to the ZAGG Pro Keys 2 to the Wireless Versatility section.
- Updated Sep 13, 2024: We've corrected an error in the Extra Features section. Our previous Media Keys test result indicated that this keyboard had dedicated media keys, but it does not.
- Updated Aug 30, 2024: We've added a note about non-compatibility with the new Apple iPad Pro (M4) models and a link-out to the newly reviewed Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) Differences Between Variants section.
- Updated Nov 29, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3.1, which adds a new estimated PCB latency test to the Single-Key Latency section and a new Analog test to the Switches section of this review. You can see the full changelog here.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Apple iPad Magic Keyboard is available in white and black and in two sizes. One size fits iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen) and iPad Air (4th Gen), and the second size fits iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, and 5th Gen). While we tested the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11-inch size in black, we expect our results to be the same for all variants. You can see the label of our unit here.
Note that the Apple iPad Magic Keyboard isn't compatible with newer Apple iPad Pro (M4) models. If you're interested in a keyboard for the iPad Pro (M4), see our Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4 and M5) review.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad is designed for use with the iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Air, or the iPad Pro 12.9-inch, depending on the size you get. Since it connects to the iPad using Apple's Smart Connector, it has no battery, no Bluetooth, and no other connectivity options, so you can't use it with any other device, which is very different than other tablet keyboards we've tested.
For other options, see our recommendations for the best keyboards for iPad, the best wireless keyboards, and the best keyboards.
The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 and the Logitech Combo Touch are both low-profile folio keyboards with cases designed for use with certain iPad models. Both keyboards have variants available for the 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the 4th-generation iPad Air, but the Apple has variants for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generations for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, while the Logitech only has a variant for the 5th generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro. That said, the Apple feels sturdier and has better backlighting with individually-lit keys. It also has a somewhat better typing quality as its keys feel lighter and require less force to operate. On the other hand, the Logitech Combo Touch has a shortcut/media hotkey row the Apple keyboard lacks.
The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 and the SteelSeries Apex Pro are keyboards made for very different uses. The Apple is a folio board made for the 11" and 12" iPad Pro and 11" iPad Air only. It uses a Smart Connector to pair to the iPad, and you can't use it with any other device. On the other hand, the SteelSeries is a mechanical gaming keyboard with proprietary OmniPoint switches that let you set the operating force to your needs. It's fully compatible with Windows and macOS, and although the customization software isn't available on Linux, all of the keys should still work.
The Apple Magic Keyboard 2017 and the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 are designed for different purposes. The Magic Keyboard for iPad is made for use with iPads only, so it uses a Smart Connector to directly connect to the iPad it's being used with. It doesn't have Bluetooth, so you can't use it with any other device. On the other hand, the Magic Keyboard connects wirelessly via Bluetooth, so it's fully compatible with macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. Sadly, it lacks the white backlighting that the Magic Keyboard for iPad has. Otherwise, they both use the same scissor switches, offering a very similar typing quality.
The Keychron K6 and the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 are compact keyboards but designed for different uses. The Apple is for use with iPad Pro and iPad Air only, so it can't pair with any other devices, especially since it doesn't support Bluetooth, and it can only pair through the Smart Connector. It uses low-profile, scissor switches that feel responsive and fairly light, but they require some force to get over the tactile bump. On the other hand, the Keychron can pair with up to three devices at once via Bluetooth, and it's compatible with many operating systems. It's also a mechanical keyboard that's available with a few different switch types.
Test Results
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