How-To Fix an iPad Keyboard That’s Split in Half or Two

One of the most frequent questions we get from our iPad friends and readers is problems with their iPad keyboards. Specifically, what should you do when your iPad keyboard is split down the middle with half of it on the left side and the other part on the right side of your iPad’s screen. Just how do you get it back together like it should be? For many iFolks, this a very annoying problem that they just can’t figure out how to fix! 

The good news is this is a relatively easy problem to remedy. And there are a few approaches that work.

So let’s get to it!

First, get to know your keyboard button

The keyboard button is that key at the very bottom-right corner (icon looks like a small keyboard made of dots and lines) 

Fixes for an iPad Keyboard That’s Split in Half

1. Pull both ends back together with your fingers and drag the two keyboards towards each other
2. Hold the keyboard button down for a second or two and select Merge
3. Place two fingers on the space bar and push your fingers together
4. Visit Settings > General > Keyboards > Split Keyboard > Toggle off
   1. Turning this setting off prevents this particular from reoccurring 

Split Keyboard Showing Up in the Middle of Your Screen?

Sometimes, your split keyboard isn’t at its usual bottom of the screen but rather sits somewhere in the middle or top of your screen. To return your screen to the bottom, press and hold the keyboard icon and drag the keyboard down to its usual dock (or any other location you prefer.)

Move and Merge a Split Keyboard

• To merge a split keyboard and move it back to the bottom of the screen, touch and hold the keyboard icon until you see a pop-up menu then tap Dock and Merge

Who Wants a Split Keyboard on an iPad?

Believe it or not, many folks love the iPad split keyboard! In landscape mode, the split keyboard makes using your thumbs to access all of the keys comfortable and easy! So type away with just thumbs!

To Split an iPad Keyboard

1. Open any app, like email or notes, and tap a text field
2. Tap and hold the keyboard icon in the lower-right corner of the keyboard
3. Press until you see a pop-up menu and tap Split
   1. Split keyboard is not available on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch models 

Move Your iPad Keyboard To Different Location

What About iPhones? What are the Keyboard Options?

Currently, iPhones do not offer split keyboard options and you also cannot move your keyboard’s on-screen position. However, if you use iOS 11 and higher, there is an option to use a one-handed keyboard, for either the left or right hand. One-handed keyboards make it easier to type on your iPhone using just one set of fingers! Sadly, One-Handed keyboards are not yet available on iPhone 5 or lower, SE models, all iPads, or iPod Touches.

How-To Use One-Handed Keyboards on iPhones

1. Open an app that has text entry
2. Touch and hold the globe or smiley face icon on the keyboard
3. Tap either the left or right One-Handed Keyboard icon to change
4. To return to default keyboard setting:
   1. Tap the white arrow next to the keyboard
   2. Or press the globe or smiley face and select the center keyboard

Change Your Keyboard Defaults

You can also turn on one-handed typing from Settings > General > Keyboards > One Handed Keyboard. If One-Handed Keyboard doesn’t work, check if you have your display set to Zoomed instead of Standard. To check, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom.

Elizabeth Jones

For most of her professional life, Amanda Elizabeth (Liz for short) trained all sorts of folks on how to use media as a tool to tell their own unique stories. She knows a thing or two about teaching others and creating how-to guides!

Her clients include Edutopia, Scribe Video Center, Third Path Institute, Bracket, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Big Picture Alliance.

Elizabeth received her Master of Fine Arts degree in media making from Temple University, where she also taught undergrads as an adjunct faculty member in their department of Film and Media Arts.