Issues using a Bluetooth keyboard with my Cloud PC connecting through an iPad

Question

Issues using a Bluetooth keyboard with my Cloud PC connecting through an iPad

Peter Sayers 0

In the last couple of weeks (possibly related to an iOS upgrade to 26.0) when I connect to my cloud PC using the MS Remote Desktop app my Bluetooth keyboard does not work correctly. Maybe every 10th keystroke gets through but it’s very hit or miss. I rely entirely on my iPad to connect to this VM so this is very inconvenient

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3 answers

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Answer 1

Jason Nguyen Tran 29,545 Independent Advisor

Hi Peter Sayers,

I’m following up to check whether the issue has been resolved. Feel free to reply if you need further information. If the information provided was helpful, please click "Accept Answer" to help others in the community. Thank you!

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Answer 2

Hi Peter Sayers,

Since the issue started only recently and may coincide with the upgrade to iPadOS 26, my first recommendation is to confirm that both the Windows App / Microsoft Remote Desktop app and iPadOS are fully up to date. The fact that only some keystrokes are reaching the Cloud PC suggests the Bluetooth keyboard connection itself may be healthy, while the problem could be occurring in the remote input handling layer between iPadOS and the remote desktop client.

As a troubleshooting step, try disconnecting and re-pairing the Bluetooth keyboard, then test with another keyboard application or local app on the iPad to verify that keystrokes are registered consistently outside of the remote session. I would also recommend testing whether the issue occurs in a new Cloud PC session versus a reconnect to an existing session. If available, compare the behavior using the on-screen keyboard, as this can help determine whether the issue is specific to Bluetooth keyboard input redirection.

Since the timing aligns with a recent OS update, it is also worth checking whether the problem affects multiple users or devices running the same iPadOS version. In my experience, that can quickly determine whether the issue is related to the client application, the operating system update, or a specific keyboard model.

I hope the response provided some helpful insight. If you find this answer useful, please hit “accept answer” so I know it addressed your concern.

Jason

Answer 3

Install or update Windows App on the iPad and use it instead of the older Microsoft Remote Desktop client; the current iOS/iPadOS release is 11.3.8 (5941), and Windows App 11.3.0 or later requires iOS/iPadOS 26.^1^

Update and retest

Open the App Store, search for Windows App, and install or update it.
Open Windows App and select Work or School Account.
Sign in with the account assigned to the Windows 365 Cloud PC.
Under Devices, select the Cloud PC and test typing in Notepad. Windows App officially supports first-party Apple keyboards and third-party hardware keyboards on iOS/iPadOS.^2^
In iPad Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth, ensure Windows App is permitted. The app requests Bluetooth access during setup so it can use Bluetooth devices.^3^

Microsoft’s current known-issues page does not list intermittent external-keyboard input as a recognized iPadOS limitation, so the suspected iPadOS 26 relationship is not officially confirmed.^4^

Isolate the failing layer

Run these two tests immediately after each other:

Local test: Type continuously with the Bluetooth keyboard in Apple Notes.
Remote test: Connect to the Cloud PC and type the same text in Notepad.
On-screen test: In the same Cloud PC session, test the iPad on-screen keyboard.

Interpret the result as follows:

Bluetooth keyboard fails in Notes too: the problem is between iPadOS and the keyboard, not the Cloud PC session. Remove and pair the keyboard again in Settings → Bluetooth, and test another hardware keyboard if available.
Bluetooth works in Notes but drops keys only remotely, while the on-screen keyboard works: this isolates the issue to the iPad remote client/input-redirection path.
Both physical and on-screen keyboards lag remotely: treat it as a broader client or connection-performance problem and involve the Windows 365 administrator.

If the current Windows App still drops keys

Remove Windows App from the iPad.
Reinstall it from the App Store.
Add the work or school account again and reconnect.

Reinstallation is Microsoft’s documented reset path for Windows App on iOS/iPadOS.^5^

Also check Settings → Accessibility → Keyboards → Full Keyboard Access. If it is enabled, temporarily disable it and retest. This is most relevant when keys trigger navigation or commands rather than producing characters; it is less directly associated with dropped keystrokes.^6^

Do not use the Windows App web client on the iPad as the workaround: mobile web browsers are unsupported, and keyboard input might not behave consistently.^4^

Report the regression

If the issue occurs only in Windows App after reinstalling:

Open Windows App.
Tap the cog or account picture.
Select Submit Feedback.
Include:
- iPad model and exact iPadOS build.
- Keyboard make/model.
- Windows App version.
- Whether typing works normally in Apple Notes.
- Whether the on-screen keyboard works in the same Cloud PC session.
- Approximate date the behavior began.

That comparison gives support enough information to distinguish Bluetooth input loss from remote keyboard redirection.

References