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iPad Pro New 12.9" and 11" iPad Pro split keyboard support
- Thread starter Jaime E
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Tried with my 11-inch, it doesn't seem to support split or floating keyboard, just like the 12.9 inch in standard mode.
That kind of sucks, but it was always a mystery to me why the less wide 10.5” got a split keyboard and the humongous 12.9” didn’t.
If I remember correctly it is something that you have to enable in settings though.
Don’t bother downloading. Their keyboard keeps crashing for me. Tempest keyboard has a split keyboard, but no access to iCloud Keychain password suggestions. This is so stupid, Apple. Just give us the split keyboard back.
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 agree with the greed part, but what Apple’s doing makes no sense. Split keyboard works if I’m laying on the couch etc. the Smart Keyboard wouldn’t work in that scenario! C’mon Apple!
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Great, thanks for doing that and please keep us updated. I’m gonna call in today as well to make sure Apple knows this is a real issue for customers like us.
Yeah, I am pretty annoyed that there is no split keyboard. I can't think of one possible reason for removing it. I use that for replying to texts, posting things online, short forum replies, etc all the time. I was genuinely confused on my 12.9" and thought it was bugged. Doesn't seem very accessible for a company that seems to push so hard for accessibility in computing.
I posted a comment in the dev forums to see if there were any devs that bought the 11 inch, hope to get them whipped up too if this was intentional.
I, too, had this shock when I setup my 11” iPad Pro, on Nov 7th. I purposely got the 11” version, because I know the larger 12.9” hasn’t offered a split keyboard since the very first edition of the 12.9” iPad Pro. I have an open case with Apple Support about the split keyboard issue on the new 11” iPad Pro, to see if it is a software glitch, or if it was intentionally removed. I just received a call back from the senior rep I’m working with, and he said every department he contacted during my initial call on Nov. 8th is surprised/shocked to see the split keyboard missing on the 11” when they check to verify my inquiry is valid. The rep said that no one has any idea if it is accidentally missing, or if it is intentionally gone. The rep knows that the lack of a split keyboard is a dealbreaker for me, and I’ll be returning the pad if it was removed on purpose. I was told today that I should just return the new 11” iPad now, because it was unlikely that I’d get a definative answer before the return window closes. I have gone back to using my 10.5” iPad Pro as of now, in fact, I’m typing this reply on the 10.5” pad, using the split keyboard! So, if the lack of split keyboard is a dealbreaker for you, as well, I’d follow the advice the Apple rep gave me tonight, and return the new iPad, and wait to see what happens. I will try to post the answer I am given about the split keyboard, when I receive it. The rep advised me that he will call me, and give me an answer whenever he has received one, before closing my case number. Hope this helps you, and anyone else who comes across this post searching for an answer.
After thinking about this some more, I'm going to hope that the split keyboard is coming in a future update - and that the reason it's not there is that they just haven't gotten to it yet. Maybe with the newly designed keyboard for the 11" they felt the split screen keyboard would need a new design as well. Ridiculous excuse, but just trying to think of why it's no longer available.
As a 12.9" user I do wish we had it on both models. I've always missed it after moving from the 9.7 to 12.9.
As a 12.9" user I do wish we had it on both models. I've always missed it after moving from the 9.7 to 12.9.
I still haven’t forgiven Apple for removing the split keyboard from the 12.9” iPad Pro. Having owned multiple iPads at a time, and having owned just about every version of the iPad over the years, I remember a time when the 12.9” had the split keyboard. The very first edition of the 12.9” iPad Pro had the split keyboard option on release day, years ago. Then, after doing a software update/upgrade, poof, it was gone. I was so angry at Apple for, in a matter of minutes, rendering my wonderful, huge iPad Pro less accessible and usable.
Really?? I don't remember that at all (I must have missed it!). I've also used just about every iPad over the years. That's brutal, especially that they did have it and then removed it. Wtf.
They did, indeed have it, albeit briefly, on the first gen 12.9” iPad Pro, years ago. After Apple removed it via a software “upgrade”, I sold it and replaced it with a smaller iPad that still had the split keyboard. I couldn’t adjust to life without it. There really isn’t any way to use an iPad, held in both hands, in front of oneself without the split keyboard. Without the split keyboard, the only way to type on the virtual keyboard is to rest the device on a leg, lap, table, etc. and then type normally. With the split keyboard, one can hold an iPad screen of any size with both hands, and type normally with one’s thumbs. It boggles the mind that Apple, a company that pushes using computing devices in personal, unique ways, would take away a feature that allowed just that. Without the split keyboard, it’s like Steve Jobs with the iPhone 4, when he said “just don’t hold it that way!” No split keyboard means not holding the iPad in two hands and still being able to type anything.
I got a call back this afternoon from Apple support in reference to the case I opened up about the split keyboard. They still don’t have any additional information on whether it is intentional or not but I just opened the case Thursday. They just now got an 11 inch iPad Pro themselves and obviously are able to replicate the issue.
Thanks for keeping us updated. I will also open a case today and see if we can get some momentum behind this. Bring back the split keyboard!