Should Smart Connector still work after iOS 26 software update(s) whether or not there are USB-C connector issues?

Question

Should Smart Connector still work after iOS 26 software update(s) whether or not there are USB-C connector issues?

Similar iOS 26 issues as iPhone and other iPad Pro (3rd gens I've seen) - iPad Pro 11" (3rd gen) in this case:

iOS 26 update (September 15th): Battery started draining faster after update (which many people and Apple have now reported as being a software problem with iOS 26 with various other iPads and iPhones).

--> After the update, I started having major battery charging issues after the iOS 26 update. The charger would connect fine then halfway through the charge it would just stop and I'd unplug and replug it in... then the same thing over and over (similar to another iPhone thread on here reports: Battery Drain on iOS 26 and iOS 26.0.1. - Apple Community). Massive drops in the battery both when in use and when it wasn't.

iOS 26.0.1 update (September 29th): Updated it to 26.0.1, thinking might be a software issue with iOS 26 and that the update would fix it.

--> After this update, battery started draining extremely fast and charging extremely slow and would disconnect. After two weeks of these battery drain issues, the iPad stopped charging completely. At this point, the "Battery Health" section where you check to see if there are battery issues (i.e. where it tells you the maximum battery capacity) had also disappeared in the "Battery" settings menu after this update, making it impossible to try and gauge if it was a battery issue (which it likely wasn’t because battery had been at 89% a few months ago).

Took it to Apple to have them look at it. Said they thought it might be the pins, but couldn’t be sure. Nothing about not being able to charge it through the Smart Connector (or about the Smart Connector not working if the USB-C doesn't work).

Then took it home to finish saving everything. At the same time, I also wiped and reinstalled the software, in case it was a software issue.

Now it won't charge at all, even with a Smart Connector charger (i.e. the Apple designed and approved keyboard that isn't supposed to need the USB-C cable charging). Splash screen would come on as if connecting, then immediately turns off again because of lack of battery.

Is there anyone else had the same issue with iOS 26 battery drain, then have both the USB-C and the Smart Connector not work that would indicate a software issue as opposed to a pin issue?

Thanks for your feedback

Posted on Nov 14, 2025 5:41 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Nov 15, 2025 5:16 AM in response to quest-apple67

At the time of writing, iPadOS 26.1 is current. If you have not yet updated to this version, you should do so.

Quite what you may have tried to resolve the problem is unclear. I recommend that you work through the following tried-and-tested troubleshooting steps...

If your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated or post-update software issue:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
Press and hold the top button.
When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

If the problem persists after performing the restart, it may be necessary to reset your iPad settings. While this reset will not cause any loss of data, as a precaution, it is always wise to ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup before performing the reset:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

When you are happy to proceed, you can perform the reset from iPad settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings

If the problem still doesn’t clear, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings:

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

Otherwise, you would be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively and perhaps easier, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to test and assess your iPad - and you can explore your available options:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 15, 2025 6:23 AM in response to quest-apple67

quest-apple67 wrote:

I appreciate the attempt at some suggestions. It still doesn’t address the question about whether the Smart Connector should still work.

Recent models of iPad Pro support charging via the iPad's smart connector when used with the associated Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad. To do so, the Power Adapter is connected to the USB-C connector located within the hinged section of the Magic Keyboard.

I don't recall seeing any published information, by Apple, that supports any notion of being able charge other models of iPad via the Smart Connector.

Reply

Answer 3

Nov 15, 2025 6:22 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you for the suggestions but as I mentioned, I did most of these already and the iPad is now completely dead. So none of these suggestions are doable.

If I had the Apple Support app, it wouldn’t be accessible on an iPad without any battery left. Either way, you can book appointments with Apple without the app (so the app is not necessary to do all of the troubleshooting, most of which I’ve already done).

Most of it (contact Apple Support, an appointment with the Genius Bar, resetting the iPad to factory settings) I did before it died completely apart from the forced reset and the update to 26.1.

I tried the forced reset only after visiting the Apple Genius Bar. It wasn’t a suggestion that was made to me during my Genius Bar appointment or when I spoke to Apple Support. I finally came across this suggestion yesterday when I was at 1% battery. I tried it various times. It didn’t do anything but drain the last remaining little bit of charge I had left.

The update to 26.1 is impossible because using 26.0.1 drained the battery so much and it stopped charging two weeks before the 26.1 update was available.

I appreciate the attempt at some suggestions. It still doesn’t address the question about whether the Smart Connector should still work.

To add some information, before connecting it to the Smart Connector (using the keyboard), it shows both the red/white “empty battery” symbol together with the “cable” and “lightning” symbol to indicate it needs to be charged. Then when I do connect it through the Smart Connector, the cable and lightning symbols disappear but the red and white dead battery still shows. So, evidently, it is connecting to the keyboard through the Smart Connector, but not charging (because the lightning symbol over the top of the battery as if it was charging doesn’t show up, the way it would if it was charging properly).

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 15, 2025 7:39 AM in response to LotusPilot

Please read first message carefully before replying. As I mentioned in the first post, I am addressing issues with an iPad Pro 11” (3rd generation).

I have:

✅ already confirmed that this generation of iPad Pro allows for pass through charging with the Apple keyboard.

✅ confirmed the version of keyboard I am using is the correct one for this iPad.

✅ confirmed the keyboard I am using works with a different iPad 11” (3rd generation) when the keyboard is plugged in (and when it isn’t as well).

✅ And I already know how to use an Apple Magic Keyboard properly and know that you have to plug the keyboard in with a USB-C.

✅ I even confirmed that it does not charge using “pass through charging” (through the Smart Connector) with a XU XIU charger. The XU XIU charger is the proper version for this iPad (I only tried it as a troubleshooting method, not as a long term solution). And I have also confirmed that XU XIU charger works with other iPads.

None of this works… these are not my question. My question is:

❌ whether the Smart Connector should still work if the USB-C charging port stops working? Or does the iOS battery drain software issue affect Smart Connector charging as well?

I really do appreciate these suggestions. They might be of help someone else so I hope this post is maintained. However, these are the very basic troubleshooting suggestions.

The issues with any Apple product are always issues that are not solved with basic troubleshooting. I don’t have time to respond to further messages from here on in that doesn’t address my question directly.

Reply