Is your iPad keyboard suddenly floating, tiny, or split, making typing uncomfortable? This easy guide will show you exactly how to get your keyboard back to normal, with step-by-step fixes and helpful tips to prevent future issues.
Read on to discover fast solutions and make your iPad typing experience smooth again.
What Is the Floating Keyboard on iPad?
The floating keyboard is a smaller, movable version of the iPad’s regular keyboard. It is designed for one-handed typing and can be placed anywhere on the screen. You can activate it by pinching in on the full-size keyboard with two fingers.
Main Features of the Floating Keyboard
- Smaller size for easier one-handed typing
- Can be positioned anywhere on the screen
-
Supports QuickPath swipe typing
Most iPad users prefer the standard, full-size keyboard for easier and faster typing.
Why Is My iPad Keyboard Floating or Small?
It can be confusing when your iPad keyboard suddenly floats, shrinks, or splits. Understanding why this happens is the first step to fixing it.
The iPad keyboard can change size or position due to:
- Accidentally pinching in with two fingers (shrinks to floating keyboard)
- Dragging the keyboard by its handle (gray bar at the bottom)
- Splitting the keyboard (only on some iPads, mainly older non-Pro/Air models)
- Features in iPadOS designed for flexible typing
While these features are helpful for some, they can be frustrating if you do not want them.
How to Fix Floating Keyboard on iPad: Step-by-Step
If your iPad keyboard is floating or has changed size, you can fix it in just a few taps. These steps are current for iPadOS 17 and recent iPad models.
✅ Step 1: Pinch Out to Make the Keyboard Big Again
- Place two fingers close together on the floating keyboard.
- Spread your fingers apart (a reverse pinch gesture, like zooming in).
- The keyboard should immediately return to full size and dock at the bottom of the screen.
✅ Step 2: Drag the Keyboard Back to the Bottom
- If the keyboard is floating but still large, touch and hold the small gray bar at the bottom of the keyboard.
- Drag it down to the bottom of your screen and release.
- The keyboard will dock in place.
✅ Step 3: Merge or Dock a Split Keyboard
Note: The split keyboard feature is only available on some iPad models (not iPad Pro or iPad Air as of iPadOS 13 and later).
- If your keyboard is split, tap and hold the keyboard button (the small keyboard icon) at the bottom right.
- Tap “Dock and Merge.”
- Your keyboard will go back to normal at the bottom.
✅ Step 4: Reset Keyboard Settings
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
- Toggle “Split Keyboard” off and on (only visible on supported iPads).
- Restart your iPad if needed.
How to Turn Off the Floating Keyboard on iPad
You cannot permanently disable the floating keyboard in iPadOS as of 2025, but you can quickly return to the standard keyboard when it appears.
- Use two fingers to pinch out on the floating keyboard to restore it to full size.
- Avoid pinching in with two fingers, as this activates the floating keyboard.
- If you use an external keyboard, disconnect it to see the onscreen keyboard.
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How to Make the iPad Keyboard Bigger or Normal Again
A small, floating keyboard can be fixed instantly with the right gesture.
Steps to Make the Keyboard Normal Size
- Pinch out with two fingers on the floating keyboard.
- The keyboard will return to the standard, full-size layout at the bottom.
- If it does not, close and reopen the app, or restart your iPad.
Extra Tips
- Make sure your iPadOS is up to date for the best keyboard performance.
- If the keyboard keeps shrinking, avoid pinching in with two fingers.
What to Do If Your iPad Keyboard Is Split or Missing Keys
Some iPads (mainly older models, not iPad Pro or Air) support a split keyboard. This can also cause missing keys or odd layouts.
- Tap and hold the keyboard button on the bottom right.
- Select “Dock and Merge” to bring the keyboard back together.
- If keys are missing, restart your iPad or check for software updates.
Why Does the Keyboard Split?
- The split keyboard is for easier thumb typing in landscape mode.
- You can trigger it by spreading two fingers apart on the keyboard or selecting "Split" from the keyboard menu.
- To avoid it, always select "Dock and Merge" after using the split feature.
Fixing Floating Keyboard in Certain Apps (Safari, Notes, and More)
The floating keyboard can appear in any app where you type, including Safari, Notes, and Messages. The fix is always the same, regardless of the app.
- Pinch out with two fingers on the floating keyboard to return to normal size.
- If it keeps happening, close and reopen the app.
- Restart your iPad to refresh the keyboard if needed.
-
Update the app if the keyboard issue only happens there.
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How to Fix Floating Keyboard on iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini
The steps to fix the floating keyboard are the same for all iPad models, including iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini.
However, the split keyboard feature is only available on some non-Pro/Air iPads.
What to Do on Any iPad Model
- Pinch out with two fingers to make the keyboard full size.
- Tap and hold the keyboard button to dock and merge if it’s split (if supported).
- Restart your iPad if the keyboard stays stuck.
Device-Specific Tips
- On iPad Pro and Air, the split keyboard option is not available as of iPadOS 13 and later.
- On iPad Mini and some regular iPads, the split keyboard may still be available in landscape mode.
Still Having Keyboard Problems on iPad?
If the floating keyboard will not go away, or you have other keyboard glitches, try these troubleshooting steps. Most problems are fixed with a simple update or reset.
- Update your iPad by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Reset all settings by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings (this does not delete your data but resets system settings).
- If your keyboard still will not work, contact Apple Support for help.
- There is no official "Safe Mode" on iPad, but you can test in another user account or after a restart to check for third-party app conflicts.
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Other Helpful Keyboard Tips
There are even more ways to improve your iPad typing experience. Try these extra tips to get the most from your device.
Customize Your Keyboard
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard to enable features like Auto-Correction, Predictive Text, and Shortcuts.
- Add new keyboards for different languages or emoji.
Use External Keyboards
- You can connect Bluetooth or Smart Connector keyboards for a laptop-like typing experience.
- External keyboards offer extra shortcuts and can improve productivity.
Try Keyboard Shortcuts
- Hold down the Command key (⌘) on an external keyboard to see available shortcuts.
- Shortcuts help you navigate apps and save time.
Conclusion
Restoring your iPad keyboard to its normal size and position is simple once you know the right steps.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get rid of a floating keyboard on my iPad?
Pinch out with two fingers on the floating keyboard to make it full size again. You can also tap and hold the keyboard button, then choose “Dock” to return it to the bottom. This will restore the keyboard to its regular position.
How do I get my keyboard back to normal on my iPad?
Use two fingers to spread the floating keyboard back to its regular size. If your keyboard is split, tap and hold the keyboard button and select “Dock and Merge.” This will return your keyboard to the bottom in full size.
Why has my iPad keyboard gone small?
Your keyboard turned small because you pinched it with two fingers, which activates the floating keyboard. Just pinch out with two fingers to make it big again. This fixes the size instantly.
How do I fix the messed-up keyboard on my iPad?
Try pinching out with two fingers or using the Dock and Merge option. If that does not work, restart your iPad or check for software updates. These steps usually solve most keyboard problems.
Why has my iPad keyboard moved up the screen?
The keyboard can move up if you drag it by the gray bar at the bottom. Drag it back down or use the “Dock” option to return it to the bottom of the screen. This will put the keyboard back in place.
Why does my iPad keyboard keep floating?
Accidental gestures or settings can make the keyboard float. Avoid pinching with two fingers, and always pinch out to reset it if it floats. If it keeps happening, restart your iPad.
Can I disable the floating keyboard permanently?
There is no way to turn it off completely in iPadOS 17, but you can quickly fix it by pinching out with two fingers whenever it appears. Always use this gesture to return to the regular keyboard. This method works every time.
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