How to Enable and Disable the iPad Split Keyboard in iOS

This wikiHow teaches you to how to split the software keyboard on your iPad, which makes it easier to type with your thumbs on the larger screen.

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Quick Summary
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Keyboard.
4. Slide Split Keyboard to the "On" position.
5. Tap in a text field.
6. Swipe in opposite directions with two fingers.
7. Swipe from the edges to the center.

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Steps
Image titled Enable and Disable the iPad Split Keyboard in iOS

Step 1

Open Settings. It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically found on the home screen.
Image titled Enable and Disable the iPad Split Keyboard in iOS

Step 2

Tap General. It's near the top of the menu next to a gray gear (⚙️) icon.
Image titled Enable and Disable the ipad split keyboard screen in iOS

Step 3

Tap Keyboard. It's in the middle of the menu.
Image titled Enable and Disable the iPad Split Keyboard in iOS

Step 4

Slide Split Keyboard to the "On" position. It will turn green. This enables your iPad's Split Keyboard function.
To disable the function, slide Split Keyboard to the "Off" position; it will turn white.
Image titled Enable and Disable the iPad Split Keyboard in iOS

Step 5

Tap in a text field. In any app that uses a keyboard, such as Notes, Safari, or Messages, tap in a text field to activate the software keyboard.
The Split Keyboard function will not work if your iPad is connected to a hardware keyboard.
Image titled Enable and Disable the iPad Split Keyboard in iOS

Step 6

Swipe in opposite directions with two fingers. Use two fingers and swipe over the keyboard, from the center to the edges of the screen. When Split Keyboard is enabled, the keyboard will separate into two halves.
Splitting the keyboard disables Predictive Text, so you will not be offered word suggestions as you type.
Image titled Enable and Disable the iPad Split Keyboard in iOS

Step 7

Swipe from the edges to the center. Put the keyboard back together by swiping two fingers across the halves, from the edges of the screen toward the center.