iPad Pro New Magic Keyboard backlighting

[raqball]

Picked up the 12.9” Pro with 512 SSD and the new Magic Keyboard to go with it. I am trying to see if I can use this as a laptop replacement… I am a home user so I am thinking this is doable..

Now to my issue.. The backlighting on the KB only activates when the room is almost pitch black. In the same room and with the same lighting, my MacBook KB always backlights. The Magic KB? Nerp!

Defective, the way it’s suppose to be?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mdhaus72]

The backlighting is adjusted based on the ambient light sensors in the iPad. Since the Magic Keyboard draws it's power from the iPad, my guess is that it is done that way to help conserve power.

 

[raqball]

The backlighting is adjusted based on the ambient light sensors in the iPad. Since the Magic Keyboard draws it's power from the iPad, my guess is that it is done that way to help conserve power.

Yeah that’s kind of what I thought.. Bummer as mine does not activate unless the room is almost pitch black. I wish there was an option to toggle it on / off OR use the sensor…

Thanks for the response!

 

[AutomaticApple]

The backlighting is adjusted based on the ambient light sensors in the iPad. Since the Magic Keyboard draws it's power from the iPad, my guess is that it is done that way to help conserve power.

It can be manually adjusted in settings.

 

[LFC2020]

It can be manually adjusted in settings

Yep, but it doesn’t stay at the level you put it at, keeps adjusting itself depending on your lighting conditions. Wonder if apple will ever release a software update so we can manually adjust it to a fixed brightness.

Apart from that, loving my white magic keyboard, wonder how long it’ll stay clean 😂

Only thing I don’t like is the price 🤦‍♂️

Anyone out there who can’t see the white magic keyboard in person and is thinking of getting one, highly recommend it, one sexy, sleek, elegant keyboard.

 

[The Game 161]

My brightness doesn’t adjust for whatever reason

 

[LFC2020]

My brightness doesn’t adjust for whatever reason

You must of got a concept model which was meant to be released in the future 😂

Love this keyboard but not the battery drain, will do some more testing, if it keeps draining my iPad battery, it’ll be going back unfortunately. 🥺

 

[papbot]

Yeah that’s kind of what I thought.. Bummer as mine does not activate unless the room is almost pitch black. I wish there was an option to toggle it on / off OR use the sensor…

Thanks for the response!

I’m assuming you have the white MKB. There are serval threads about this and seems to be exclusively the white version issue. I’m only guessing that the reflection off the white material is affecting the light sensor on the iPad. The black ones do not have this issue. I’ve seen no such posts from those who own the black version and my own works perfectly. It’s possible Apple could issue a software fix that would allow you to select white or black MKB and have the light sensor respond accordingly. I don’t know how difficult that would be so it may be quite a while in coming.

 

[raqball]

I’m assuming you have the white MKB. There are serval threads about this and seems to be exclusively the white version issue. I’m only guessing that the reflection off the white material is affecting the light sensor on the iPad. The black ones do not have this issue. I’ve seen no such posts from those who own the black version and my own works perfectly. It’s possible Apple could issue a software fix that would allow you to select white or black MKB and have the light sensor respond accordingly. I don’t know how difficult that would be so it may be quite a while in coming.

I do have the white one… As much as I like the white KB, I might have to exchange it for a black one.

 

[Kyle76]

Yeah, my black one works great. The white letters on black keys don’t need much illumination to stand out, even in just a dimly lit room.

 

[CDF03]

I have the same issue with the new white keyboard. The backlighting is also difficult to see in a room with medium lighting.