Install and activate Split Keyboard
- Install and open Split Keyboard on your iPad.
- Open Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards.
- Tap Add New Keyboard, then choose Split Keyboard.
- Open any standard text field, hold the globe key, and choose Split Keyboard.
Leave “Allow Full Access” disabled.
Every Split Keyboard typing feature works without Full Access.
If the keyboard does not appear
- Confirm Split Keyboard is listed under Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards.
- Hold the globe key rather than tapping it, then select Split Keyboard.
- Quit and reopen the affected app after adding the keyboard.
- If needed, remove Split Keyboard from the keyboard list and add it again.
Password and phone fields
iPadOS replaces third-party keyboards with Apple’s system keyboard in secure password fields and phone-pad fields. This is expected system behavior and does not mean the keyboard has stopped working.
Some apps use the system keyboard
Apps can reject third-party keyboards. If Split Keyboard works in Notes but not in a particular app, that app may have disabled custom keyboard extensions.
Rotation, Split View, and narrow windows
Split Keyboard adapts when your iPad rotates or its window changes size. When a window is too narrow for two usable sides, the keyboard switches to a compact unified layout. If the layout does not update, dismiss and reopen the keyboard once.
Contact support
Still stuck? Email support@splitkeyboard.app. Please include the app version and build number, your iPad model, iPadOS version, the affected app, and clear steps to reproduce the issue.