iPad Pro New 12.9" and 11" iPad Pro split keyboard support

[fyrefly]

I spoke to Apple Support this AM, and they wanted me to restore my iPad, etc... all this nonsense. I chatted back this afternoon, and much to my dismay, the Apple Support article is now updated - and it says "The split keyboard isn't available on iPad Pro (12.9-inch) or iPad Pro 11-inch."

WTF Apple!

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT207521

I really hope this is something they correct in 12.1.1 :S So I submitted feedback with apple and with the support agent... I suggest other people do the same!

 

[mcaswell]

(Typing this with split keyboard on my 10.5)

I too use split keyboard frequently, and I cannot comprehend why they would remove this feature from the new models, especially the 11 (heck, I don’t even understand why the original or new 12.9 don’t have it). I am very much on the fence about whether or not to upgrade, but this omission is definitely a factor pushing me towards just keeping what I have.

 

[Jaime E]

I submitted feedback through the iOS Feedback app. I hope we get it back!

 

[ahwman]

I called in to Apple support about this yesterday and they had no information that the 11 inch should be crippled the same way the 12.9 inch iPad is. They said there was nothing in their documentation as it is with the 12.9 inch to show that the keyboard should not split or not be moveable.

I’m supposed to hear back by tomorrow about this as they collected logs from my iPad to see if they could figure out what’s up. At that time they also only had the 12.9 inch iPad Pro that they could lay hands-on to verify the behavior which didn’t help.

I also filed a support ticket with Apple which got esecelated and this is the response I finally got back...

“Thank you for your patience. It has been confirmed that is expected behavior that Split Keyboard is not available on the iPad Pro 11-inch. We are now waiting for more information about why, and whether it will be added to device. I will follow up when more information becomes available.”

 

[haruhiko]

I was so surprised when I was asked where is the Split Keyboard and I found a support article for how to enable it for my friend, then I couldn't find it myself. I thought it was always there but I never used it since I have the Smart Keyboard attached all the time since the first iPad Pro.

Come to think about it it maybe due to Apple's thought that at this screen size it's no longer suitable for thumb typing?

I'm puzzled.

 

[blairh]

I use this all the time on my 10.5. Wow.

 

[lax28]

Use it all the time on my 10.5 as well. I like to hold landscape and the split keyboard makes thumb typing perfect when held that way. Hell I use it that way in portrait mode too. I actually always have to look up how to get the split keyboard to dock whenever I merge it for some random reason.

 

[Sean.Something]

If you put the iPad 12.9 into zoomed view rather than standard then you can use the split keyboard. It could work on an 11 inch - IDK - I don’t own one so haven’t tried it. The keyboard keys fallout of alignment when you roll the keyboard view to select numbers and/or symbols. Certainly doesn’t “feel” optimized for this display.

 

[UrbanExtant]

I found a third party keyboard that I’ve enjoyed for split keyboard functionality on my 2018 12.9” iPad Pro. It’s called Handy Keyboard. It’s something like $4.99 on the App Store. Is it perfect, no, is it worth using, heck yeah! For 11” iPad Pro owners, reviews on the App Store indicate this keyboard doesn’t work on that iPad for some reason. For those, like me, with a 12.9” iPad, give it a shot. It’s wonderful having a split keyboard on this iPad.

 

[Macintoshrumors]

Pure greed. They want to sell keyboard folios.

That’s an ignorant statement. The folios are optional, most people get by with just the virtual keyboard. If greed was the case, the virtual keyboard wouldn’t even be an option on the iPad. Not ever decision a company makes is out to get the customer.

 

[zeekman0]

Check out Banana Split Keyboard. (Free)

 

[zeekman0]

Do the new 12.9" and 11" iPad Pro have the split keyboard support? I'm more interested in the 12.9 since both the 10.5 and 9.7 have the split keyboard so I assume the 11 does too...

Check out Banana Split Keyboard. (Free) May not work in all apps. Number row reverts to previous standard function requiring switching via pressing "123" Key.

 

[blairh]

Yeah I forgot this fact and was shocked when I got the 11 iPP last week. Returned it immediately. How/why Apple doesn't include it on the 11 iPP is truly beyond me.