Meet the Flip Folio: Apple's iPad Keyboard Alternative

Buying an iPad isn't just about the tablet — the real spending starts with the accessories. No one wants to spend $269 to $349 on Apple's Magic Keyboard for iPad, so many people skip Apple's iPad keyboard and buy this $160 alternative.

Compact, detachable keyboard

Logitech has long been known as one of the best third-party accessory makers for Apple products. Apple even sells Logitech iPad keyboards, like the Combo Touch, on its website and in Apple stores. The company announced a new addition to its keyboard line in June 2025: the Flip Folio, which quickly became one of our favorite iPad accessories.

The Flip Folio comes in two versions: One for the 11-inch iPad Air and Pro models and one for the 13-inch models. The former costs $159.99, while the latter costs $20 more due to its larger size.

Aside from the fact that the Flip Folio is significantly cheaper than any Apple product, what makes it worth the price is the thoughtful design for practical everyday use. With Apple's keyboard products, you can only use the keyboard when it's propped up (like in laptop mode).

While this is fine for people who just type at a desk or dining table, it's not ideal for setups where the iPad is on your lap or even in bed. The Flip Folio separates the iPad case and Bluetooth keyboard, meaning you can place the iPad wherever you want while still keeping the keyboard where your hands naturally rest.

Now, you might think there are plenty of wireless Bluetooth keyboards that can do exactly that. In fact, Logitech's Pebble Keys 2 K380s keyboard is a perfect example of this versatility.

But what makes the Flip Folio different is that it's designed to be an all-in-one setup. When you're done using the keyboard, it magnetically attaches to a pocket cut out on the back of the case. This means the keyboard won't just sit around in your backpack when not in use. The case protects the iPad on the front and back, and comes with a kickstand that rotates to multiple angles.

The only downside to the case is that there is a slight crease when propped up, but that's an intentional part of the design and helps support the adjustable kickstand. Since it doesn't affect usability and is barely noticeable in everyday use, it's not a huge deal.

There are dedicated keyboard shortcuts for iPadOS

The weird thing about Apple's iPad keyboards is that, despite being designed specifically for the iPad, they sometimes feel like Mac keyboards forced to work with the iPad. Both the Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio have a keyboard layout that's nearly identical to the MacBook, including Control, Option, Shift, and Command keys.

The problem is, these keys aren't very useful when you're using an iPad. And considering that many iPad users have never even used a MacBook, using a keyboard with Mac-specific keys can be confusing and unnecessarily complicated.

Thankfully, like the Pebble Keys, the Logitech Flip Folio has some iPadOS-specific shortcut keys instead of the standard function keys that the Magic Keyboard has.

The Flip Folio has four dedicated iPadOS keys: One to open Spotlight Search, another to switch between apps, a third to open the Emoji Picker, and one to take a screenshot. This means that instead of having to press Command + Shift + 3 (which isn't exactly fun on a compact keyboard), you can do it with the press of a single key.

Can switch between three devices

People rarely work on just one device. Often, people will use both an iPad and a MacBook at the same time, constantly switching between tabs. Many times, they use the MacBook as an extended display for the iPad, so having to switch between typing on the iPad's Bluetooth keyboard and the MacBook keyboard is inconvenient.

Like many other Logitech keyboards, the Flip Folio features Easy-Switch buttons that let you switch between up to 3 devices with just one press.

You can go from typing an article on your iPad to replying to an email on your MacBook in seconds without having to manually unpair or reconnect anything. You're not limited to just Apple devices, either. As long as your device supports a Bluetooth keyboard, the Flip Folio will work just fine—whether it's with a Windows laptop, an Android tablet, or even a Smart TV .

The Flip Folio does everything Apple's $269 keyboard can do

Whether you buy a $10 iPad keyboard from Temu or the most expensive one you can find, all you're really doing with the keyboard is typing. There are currently four different iPad keyboards that you can buy directly from Apple's website:

1. Magic Keyboard for iPad Air 11 inch, priced at $269
2. Magic Keyboard for iPad Air 13 inch, price 319 USD
3. Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11 inch, price 299 USD
4. Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 13 inch, price 349 USD

If you have an 11-inch iPad Air, the version you need costs $269. The only way you could justify spending that much money, when the Flip Folio costs $160, is if Apple's keyboard actually did something groundbreaking that the Flip Folio didn't. But it doesn't do anything special. In fact, considering that it doesn't have dedicated iPadOS keys, isn't as compact, requires a specific location to use, can only be used for typing on an iPad, and costs $109 more, it's hard to see the value. There's nothing you can do with Apple's $269 keyboard that you can't do with the Flip Folio.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 27 June 2025