Healthy Food Delivery : Do You Know What the 3 Little Dots on the Back of Your iPad Are For?

Monday, June 9, 2025

Do You Know What the 3 Little Dots on the Back of Your iPad Are For?

As technology continues to change and grow, our devices gain and lose different features. Newer iPhones don’t have a separate headphone jack because the new headphones use the exact same port as the charger. And more and more accessories connect with Bluetooth these days, allowing you to enjoy the convenience of a wireless connection when setting up your workspace. But unless you’re reading every single press release about the updates and new features, you may not recognize all of the new changes. Take, for example, the three dots on the back of an iPad. What do they do?

What Do the Three Dots on the Back of an iPad Do?

According to Apple Support, these three dots form your iPad’s “Smart Connector.” They’re not a traditional plug, nor do they facilitate a Bluetooth connection like with AirPods. Rather, these three magnetic contacts allow you to connect to a Smart Keyboard.

Apple proudly explains that, thanks to the Smart Connector, “you don’t need to pair or turn on your Smart Keyboard Folio or Smart Keyboard,” when you want to link it to your iPad. You can simply bring the magnetic connectors together, and the two devices will work in tandem.

Why Would I Want a Smart Connector?

If you’re used to older, wired keyboards or love Bluetooth keyboards, you might not find the Smart Connector appealing at first. But it offers the best of both worlds. There are no wires to contend with, which saves you space as well as the hassle of tracking down the correct cord and corralling it. You also don’t have to worry about connecting via Bluetooth, which saves you from the headache that comes with trying to pair a new device. Thanks to those three little dots on the back of your iPad, you can use your Smart Keyboard even if your Bluetooth isn’t working, and you won’t have to choose between charging your device and connecting it with accessories.

Additionally, having a smart connector helps you keep your iPad in a comfortable typing position while you’re using a Smart Keyboard. If you’ve connected it correctly, Apple says that your iPad should be sitting “in the groove above the number keys and folded in the type position.” The screen will be slightly angled back, much like a laptop screen would be when it’s opened.