No current Apple or Logitech keyboard case is made for the iPad (4th generation), but a standard Bluetooth keyboard still pairs with it and types normally.
For the full breakdown, see our best Case For iPad 4th Generation guide.
A 2012 iPad still types perfectly well on a Bluetooth keyboard, but anyone shopping for an iPad 4th generation case with keyboard won’t find one built for this tablet. Apple’s current support pages for Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio cover much newer iPad families, and accessory makers followed those newer generations.
The job splits in two: choose a Bluetooth keyboard, and if you want drop protection, pick a sleeve or folio matched to your exact model number: A1458 (Wi‑Fi), A1459 (Wi‑Fi + Cellular), or A1460 (Wi‑Fi + Cellular, MM).
Does A Keyboard Case Exist For The iPad (4th Generation)?
No. Apple’s keyboard-case documentation lists nothing for this generation, and Logitech’s compatibility chart shows the same empty row.
The gap isn’t a stocking problem. This iPad is Lightning-era hardware with Bluetooth 4.0, and later keyboard cases were cut for specific newer generations. Apple’s notes explain the split: Magic Keyboard connects over Bluetooth with a rechargeable battery, while Smart Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio attach directly and need no power. All three target much later iPads.
| iPad (4th Generation) Detail | Why It Matters For Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Released in 2012 | Predates the Smart Connector newer Apple keyboard cases rely on |
| Model numbers A1458, A1459, A1460 | The check to run before buying anything that clips on |
| 9.50 x 7.31 x 0.37 in (241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 mm) | A 9.7-inch class body several iPad generations share |
| 1.44 lb (652 g) Wi‑Fi, 1.46 lb (662 g) cellular | 10 g of difference; keyboard pairing is identical |
| Bluetooth 4.0 | Pairs with standard Bluetooth keyboards still sold today |
| Lightning port | A charging port, not a keyboard attachment point |
| No Apple keyboard case listed | Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard target newer iPads |
| No Logitech keyboard case listed | Compatibility chart shows a dash for this model |
Cellular or Wi‑Fi changes none of this: the keyboard side is a Bluetooth radio, identical across A1458, A1459, and A1460. Compare any listing’s model number against Logitech’s iPad keyboard case compatibility chart before paying.
Pairing A Standard Bluetooth Keyboard
Any current Bluetooth keyboard pairs with the iPad (4th generation). Nothing has to be Apple-made or iPad-specific, and the pairing path is the classic one this model finished its software life on.
- Switch the keyboard on and leave it in pairing mode — most models blink a light until something connects.
- On the iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth and check the switch is on.
- Tap the keyboard’s name under Devices.
- Type the passcode shown on the iPad using the keyboard, then press Return.
When it takes, the keyboard’s name moves above the device list, reads Connected, and the onscreen keyboard stops appearing on its own.
Bringing the onscreen keyboard back is a tap: Apple says tap Show Keyboard in the Shortcuts bar. Apple also documents switching between onscreen, emoji, and added language keyboards by holding Control and pressing Space.
Once paired, the iPad remembers the keyboard and reconnects whenever Bluetooth is on and the keyboard is powered up. If typing drops mid-sentence, switch the keyboard off and back on rather than re-pairing. Protection is a separate purchase: the tested case roundup for iPad 4th generation sorts folios and sleeves fitting the A1458, A1459, and A1460 bodies.
Mistakes That Break Compatibility
- Mixing up generations. An iPad (4th generation) is not an iPad Air 4 or iPad Pro 4. Names look similar; shells and connectors do not.
- Buying by screen size. Several 9.7-inch iPads exist, and keyboard cases are cut per generation, never per measurement.
- Assuming Apple’s cases trickle down. Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio are documented for newer models, none for this one.
- Buying cellular-specific gear. A1459 and A1460 pair with the same Bluetooth keyboards as Wi‑Fi-only A1458.
Do it in this order: pair a Bluetooth keyboard first, confirm it types, then match a plain case or sleeve to your exact model number. Skip any listing promising a keyboard case for the iPad (4th generation); the ones that exist are built for other tablets.
FAQs
Will A Smart Keyboard Or Magic Keyboard Work On This Model?
No. Smart Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio attach directly and are documented for newer iPads, and Magic Keyboard is listed for later generations too. Apple’s current support pages do not include the iPad (4th generation) for any of them. A standalone Bluetooth keyboard stays open.
Do I Need A Different Keyboard For The Cellular Versions?
No. Compatibility follows the Bluetooth radio, not the cellular modem, so A1459 and A1460 pair with the same keyboards as Wi‑Fi-only A1458. The model number matters for cases and sleeves, not pairing.
What Do I Do When The Keyboard Stops Typing?
Check the battery first — a flat keyboard drops off the device list. Power it off and back on, then confirm it reads Connected under Settings > Bluetooth. If still missing, forget the device on the iPad and run pairing again; a fresh pairing fixes most dropouts.
References & Sources
- Apple. “iPad (4th generation) – Technical Specifications” Lists model numbers A1458, A1459, and A1460, the dimensions, the weight, and Bluetooth 4.0.
- Apple. “Identify your iPad model” Confirms which model numbers belong to the iPad (4th generation) family.
- Logitech. “iPad Keyboard Case Compatibility Chart” Shows no compatible keyboard case for the iPad (4th generation).