The first generation Magic Keyboard works with the M1 iPad Pro after all

Apple Ipad Pro Spring21 Ipad Pro Magic Keyboard 2up (Image credit: Apple)

What you need to know

Apple has clarified the compatibility of the 1st generation Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro with the M1 iPad Pro.
Apple says that it "functionally" works with the new iPad Pro but that it may not "precisely fit" when closed.

The first generation Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is compatible with the new M1 iPad Pro after all - with a small asterisk.

Apple has published a new support document on the Apple Support website that details exactly how the compatibility shakes out between the two products. According to the document, the first generation Magic Keyboard iPad Pro is "functionally" compatible with the new 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the M1 processor.

This means that you'll be able to attach the iPad to the keyboard and use it to type and use the trackpad without any issues. It also puts to rest any idea that the hinge wouldn't be able to support the weight or dimensions of the latest iPad Pro.

However, Apple does say that, with the new iPad Pro attached to the first generation Magic Keyboard, things might not close all of the way when you shut it. It says that this may especially be the case if you have a screen protector on the iPad Pro.

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.

Of course, no one has gotten their hands on the new iPad Pro to test exactly how this shakes out so far, but this is promising news to those who have the first generation Magic Keyboard and are planning to upgrade to the new M1 iPad Pro. It would have been quite a bummer to have to upgrade a $349 keyboard in order to get the full functionality out of the new iPad Pro, especially since Apple does not accept trade-ins for the product.

The M1 iPad Pro will be available to preorder tomorrow, April 30.

iPad Pro (2021)

The new iPad Pro is the first iPad to feature Apple's M1 processor, the same chip that powers the Mac.

Joe Wituschek is a Contributor at iMore. With over ten years in the technology industry, one of them being at Apple, Joe now covers the company for the website. In addition to covering breaking news, Joe also writes editorials and reviews for a range of products. He fell in love with Apple products when he got an iPod nano for Christmas almost twenty years ago. Despite being considered a "heavy" user, he has always preferred the consumer-focused products like the MacBook Air, iPad mini, and iPhone 13 mini. He will fight to the death to keep a mini iPhone in the lineup. In his free time, Joe enjoys video games, movies, photography, running, and basically everything outdoors.