The basic steps to pair a keyboard
To connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your iPad, turn on the keyboard first, then go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPad and toggle Bluetooth on. Your iPad will show a list of available devices — tap the name of your keyboard when it appears. The keyboard will ask you to confirm the pairing, usually by displaying a code on your iPad screen that you type on the keyboard, or by showing a straightforward "Pair" button to tap. Once you confirm, the keyboard is connected and ready to use.
The whole process takes about two minutes. Your iPad will remember the keyboard after the first pairing, so the next time you turn on the keyboard near your iPad, it will reconnect automatically without you having to go back into Settings.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on your Bluetooth keyboard before opening the pairing menu on your iPad, or the keyboard won't show up in the available devices list.
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle Bluetooth on, then select your keyboard from the list of nearby devices.
- Some keyboards ask you to type a confirmation code on the keyboard itself; others just show a "Pair" button to tap on your iPad screen.
- Once paired, your keyboard will reconnect automatically the next time it's turned on near your iPad — you won't need to pair it again.
What to do if your keyboard doesn't appear in the list
If you've turned on your keyboard but don't see it in the Bluetooth list on your iPad, the keyboard is probably not in pairing mode. Most keyboards enter pairing mode when you first turn them on, but some require you to hold down a specific button — often labeled "Pair," "Connect," or "Bluetooth" — for a few seconds. Check the keyboard's manual or look for a small LED light that blinks when pairing mode is active.
If the keyboard still doesn't appear, try turning it off and back on while holding down the pairing button. Make sure your iPad's Bluetooth is actually on — toggle it off and back on in Settings to refresh the list. If you've paired the keyboard with another device recently (a phone, laptop, or another iPad), disconnect it from that device first. A keyboard can only pair with one device at a time, so it won't show up on your iPad if it's actively connected elsewhere.
When the pairing code doesn't match or won't type
Some keyboards display a four-digit code on your iPad screen during pairing and ask you to type it on the keyboard to confirm. If the code won't type, make sure the keyboard is actually in pairing mode — you may see a light blinking or hear a sound. Try typing the code slowly, one digit at a time, and wait a moment between each number.
If the keyboard still won't accept the code, disconnect and try again. Go back to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the keyboard name if it's still listed, and select "Forget This Device." Then turn the keyboard off, turn it back on while holding the pairing button, and start the pairing process over. This usually clears out any stuck connection state.
Reconnecting after the keyboard goes to sleep
Bluetooth keyboards often turn off automatically after 10 to 30 minutes of inactivity to save battery. When you turn the keyboard back on, your iPad should reconnect it within a few seconds without any action from you. If it doesn't, open Settings > Bluetooth and look for your keyboard in the list — it should show "Connected" next to the name.
If the keyboard appears in the list but shows "Not Connected," tap it once to reconnect. If it's not in the list at all, the keyboard may not have turned back on properly. Press any key on the keyboard or hold down the power button for a moment, then check the Bluetooth list again.
Using the keyboard once it's connected
Once your keyboard is paired and connected, you can use it to type in any app on your iPad — email, notes, documents, web browsers, and search fields all work with a Bluetooth keyboard. The keyboard also gives you access to keyboard shortcuts: Command+C to copy, Command+V to paste, Command+Z to undo, and many others that work the same way they do on a Mac or Windows computer.
You can also use the keyboard to navigate your iPad without touching the screen. Press Tab to move between fields, arrow keys to scroll, and the spacebar to select buttons. If you want to switch back to typing on the iPad's on-screen keyboard, just tap the screen where you want to type and the on-screen keyboard will appear — the Bluetooth keyboard stays connected and you can use either one.
Troubleshooting a keyboard that keeps disconnecting
If your keyboard connects but then drops the connection after a few minutes, the battery is usually the culprit. Replace or recharge the keyboard's batteries, and the disconnections should stop. Low battery is the most common reason a paired keyboard loses connection repeatedly.
If the battery is fine, try forgetting the device and pairing again. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the keyboard name, and select "Forget This Device." Turn the keyboard off completely, wait 10 seconds, turn it back on, and pair it fresh. If disconnections continue, the keyboard itself may have a hardware problem — try pairing it with another iPad or device to see if the problem follows the keyboard or stays with your iPad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple Bluetooth keyboards with the same iPad?
Your iPad can remember multiple paired keyboards, but only one can be connected at a time. If you have two keyboards paired and turn both on, the one that powered on first will connect. To switch to the other keyboard, turn off the first one and the iPad will automatically connect to the second.
Do I need to unpair my keyboard before connecting it to a different device?
No, you don't have to unpair it. Just turn on the keyboard near the other device and go through the pairing process on that device. The keyboard will connect to whichever device initiated the pairing. However, if the keyboard stays connected to your iPad and you want to use it with another device, you may need to turn off Bluetooth on your iPad first so the keyboard doesn't automatically reconnect there.
What if my keyboard pairs but the keys don't work?
First, make sure the keyboard is actually connected — check Settings > Bluetooth and look for "Connected" next to the keyboard name. If it shows connected but keys don't work, try disconnecting and reconnecting: go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the keyboard, and select "Disconnect." Wait a few seconds, then tap it again to reconnect. If that doesn't work, forget the device and pair it again from scratch.
Can I use a keyboard that's already paired with my Mac or iPhone?
Yes, but only one device at a time. If your keyboard is currently connected to your Mac, you'll need to disconnect it there first before it will pair with your iPad. Once you pair it with your iPad, it will stay paired and reconnect to your iPad automatically — but it won't connect to your Mac until you pair it there again.