Why Your Smart Cover Or Magnetic Case Doesn’t Work With The New iPad

By

smart-cover-magnets

It might not be an issue for you, but some users who have purchased new iPads have found that the magnets of their existing cases won’t turn the display on and off. This doesn’t just go for third-parties, either: even some old Smart Covers won’t turn the screen off.

What the heck’s going on? As it turns out, there’s a small change in the way the new iPad that only applies to magnetic cases: polarity now counts.

As it turns out, the new iPad’s Smart Cover wakeup isn’t just based on whether or not a magnet is in the proximity of the sensor, but on that magnet’s polarity. In other words, which direction the magnet is facing.

Most Smart Covers are fine, but some of the first batches of Smart Covers apparently have this problem. In addition, many third party cases also have issues, with some case makers now offering replacements.

So there you go. If your Smart Cover doesn’t work with the new iPad, it’s disappointing, but at least now you know. And knowing is half the battle.

[via The Verge]

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.