Since the keyboard connects to the iPad Air via Bluetooth, it does require charging (I use mine frequently and, although the battery has never drained, I still charge it every 2 weeks or so). If you didn't get a charge cable with it, you need to either return it and get one with a cable, or go to where you purchased it and request a charging cable for it, otherwise the keyboard will eventually stop working (mine came with the battery partially charged out of the box).