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Some people complain that the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad doesn’t have a backlight for the keys. It turns out that the accessory actually does have one, but the controls aren’t where you’d expect them to be.

Here’s how to find the Magic Keyboard controls in Control Center. And here’s how to adjust the backlight.

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Such a useful iPad accessory

The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad is brilliant. It features a cool cantilever design, a slim shape, a trackpad, and even a USB-C port for charging the tablet. It also has a backlight for the keys, you just need to know how to activate it.

Apple really wouldn’t do without backlit keys. This is the best keyboard case for the iPad. And it costs a fortune. Basic functions are not forgotten.

The iPad Magic Keyboard actually has a backlight

Don’t worry if you can’t find the Magic Keyboard’s key illumination controls. You’ve probably been looking for a button or switch on the accessory itself to activate the illumination. That search was in vain – as you already know.

There’s a keyboard brightness control in Control Center specifically for the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad. It lets you adjust the backlight with a few taps in about a second.

But first you need to make sure it is in Control Center.

1. On your iPad, first open the Settings App and typing control center.
2. In the list of Included controlsSearch Keyboard brightness. If it’s there, good. You’re done with that part, although you do have the option to move it up or down in Control Center by tapping, holding, and dragging the hamburger button to the right of it if you want.
3. If Keyboard brightness is not in Included controlslook down at Additional controls to find it, then tap the green Plus button next to it. This will move it up to Included controls. Repeat step 2.

Now you can use the new controls.

1. Open control center by swiping down from the top right corner of your screen.
2. Tap the Keyboard brightness Button. It looks a bit like the sun is rising over the horizon.
3. If your Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad isn’t connected to your tablet, the button is grayed out and unresponsive. Connect it now.
4. Tap and hold the keyboard brightness control. A slider will automatically appear under your finger. Move it up or down to adjust the keyboard backlight.
5. Close Control Center by tapping anywhere else on the iPad screen.

Add Magic Keyboard to your iPad

If you’ve been avoiding the iPad Magic Keyboard because you thought it didn’t have a backlight, this accessory might be of interest to you now. Just make sure you buy the right one for your specific tablet model.

The Apple Store is currently the only source for a model compatible with the 13-inch iPad Pro M4, but you can turn to Amazon for a model that fits older Pro and Air models. There is also a version for the iPad 10.