Split Keyboard Issues

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Level 1

24 points

Split Keyboard Issues

(1) Apple support advised on 2 chats that Spit Keyboard is still available. Though it seems fine on iPad 7th gens and an iPad Air 2, it doesn't seem to be there on a new iPad Air. Support had me do complete resets to no avail.

I've seen hints around the net that there's no split keyboard on anything with a display larger than 10.2" which the Air has. We're definitely not seeing a Split Keyboard switch in Settings with the Air. Can anyone unequivocally confirm?

(2) Seems to depend on the 'type' of text field your cursor is in, but sometimes the split keyboard obscures whatever is between the 2 sections, sometimes it doesn't (shown in the following screen caps):

SCREEN SHOT #1 -->

SCREEN SHOT #2 -->

I can't think of a reason to have it opaque between the 2 halves so would love to know how to avoid.

(3) At times the keyboard obscures whatever is behind and dragging whatever is behind doesn't make it visible. It keeps bouncing back behind the keyboard. You have to Dock and Merge, then the items bounce up and above the keyboard. Then Split again, but this seems too much.

I'd be very grateful if anyone has advice on these issues.

Cheers

Posted on Oct 10, 2021 3:20 AM

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Answer 1

ProustGiulio

Level 10

208,542 points

Oct 13, 2021 1:48 AM in response to JohnrC123

JohnrC123 wrote:

Just curious... can you think of a logical reason to exclude Split Keyboard if the device has no home button? The Air screen is a bit bigger than the 7th gen 10.2" making Split Screen even more useful.

No.

You're not addressing Apple here. This is a user-to-user support forum (hosted by Apple) and I, just a user like you, am not aware of Apple plans/decisions, and do not know if this choice originates for technical or other reasons.

If it's a bug or oversight I'll take the Feature Request placebo. But if it's deliberate it's just one more example of my brain not working the way Apple wants it to and I might as well not bother.

If you'd like, you can submit your request/suggestion/comment to Apple directly, using this link:--> Apple – Product Feedback.

Thanks and regards.

Giulio

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Answer 2

ProustGiulio

Level 10

208,542 points

Oct 10, 2021 5:17 AM in response to JohnrC123

"The split keyboard is available only on iPad models that have a Home button".

Exctracted from:--> If your iPad keyboard is small or split in half - Apple Support

Regards

Giulio

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Answer 3

JohnrC123 Author

Level 1

24 points

Oct 12, 2021 10:38 PM in response to ProustGiulio

Just curious... can you think of a logical reason to exclude Split Keyboard if the device has no home button? The Air screen is a bit bigger than the 7th gen 10.2" making Split Screen even more useful.

If it's a bug or oversight I'll take the Feature Request placebo. But if it's deliberate it's just one more example of my brain not working the way Apple wants it to and I might as well not bother.

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Answer 4

Oct 13, 2021 2:27 AM in response to JohnrC123

JohnrC123 wrote:

Just curious... can you think of a logical reason to exclude Split Keyboard if the device has no home button? The Air screen is a bit bigger than the 7th gen 10.2" making Split Screen even more useful.

If it's a bug or oversight I'll take the Feature Request placebo. But if it's deliberate it's just one more example of my brain not working the way Apple wants it to and I might as well not bother.

Removal of Split Keyboard is definitely not a bug; it is deliberate design/coding decision made by Apple - although the reasoning for the cut-off by specific screen size has not, to my knowledge, been declared by Apple.

The Split Keyboard is certainly available on 10.5” models - such as iPad Pro 10.5 and iPad Air3.

The current iPad User Guide states that this feature is not available on iPad Pro 11” and iPad Pro 12.9” third generation and later. No mention is explicitly made of the 10.9” models

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Answer 5

JohnrC123 Author

Level 1

24 points

Oct 13, 2021 3:09 AM in response to ProustGiulio

ProustGiulio wrote:

No.

You're not addressing Apple here. This is a user-to-user support forum (hosted by Apple)

Exactly. When asking Apple support they said they didn't know. It's why I put the question to another user. Perhaps someone has a better understanding than I do, or seeing that others like the change can tell me I'm off base with Apple design decisions (which I trust are to some degree based on user preferences). If that happens a lot, it's clear that I'm using the wrong product.

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Answer 6

JohnrC123 Author

Level 1

24 points

Oct 13, 2021 3:13 AM in response to LotusPilot

LotusPilot wrote:.

Removal of Split Keyboard is definitely not a bug; it is deliberate design/coding decision made by Apple...

You can't be too sure. A version of iOS 14 removed access to certain shortcuts/favourites/widgets in the Today View which I use a lot. It reappeared a short time later. So it's safe to assume that this was an oversight or omission. That's the sort of thing I was referring to as a possible bug.

For me it's worth trying to confirm since it's the only way I type on an iPad.

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