How can I disable the floating keyboard on my iPad?

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Level 1

4 points

How can I disable the floating keyboard on my iPad?

I’ve seen this problem arise in years old questions, but the solution has not been answered or, at least, that I could find. In Safari, the small, floating keyboard suddenly appears. If I am doing something to trigger it, I need help recognizing that. I research the recommendations to return the docked keyboard and NONE of the solutions works. It didn’t seem to solve the problem 3-4 years ago or now. I have a iPad Air 5 M1, 12”, running up to date operating system. None of the pinching or spreading of fingers works, not moving it to the bottom of the screen, not yelling at it, nothing EXCEPT shutting down and restarting works. Oh, one suggestion was turn off Scribble, no difference. Please, why does it appear when not asked for and why will nothing easy bring back the full size keyboard?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad Air, iPadOS 18

Posted on Jan 14, 2025 4:43 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Community+ 2024

Level 10

292,656 points

Jan 16, 2025 2:27 PM in response to Flounder3

The Scribble feature uses a different mini-keyboard that does not respond to the two-finger zoom or pinch gestures:

Settings > Apple Pencil > Scribble - set to OFF

After disabling Scribble, you may need to force-restart your iPad:

Force restart iPad (models with Face ID or with Touch ID in the top button)

If your iPad doesn’t have the Home button, do the following:

Press and quickly release the volume button nearest to the top button.
Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button.
Press and hold the top button.
When the Apple logo appears, release the top button.

Force restart iPad (models with the Home button)

Press and hold the top button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

Otherwise, to restore the new Floating Keyboard to the normal on-screen keyboard presentation, use the two-finger “zoom” gesture (i.e., the reverse of the two-finger “pinch”).

If the Split Keyboard is restored instead of the full on-screen keyboard, you can either use two fingers (one on each of the two half-keyboards) and swipe the two halves together - or touch-and-hold the “keyboard” key, then slide your finger to the Merge & Dock option and release.

Use the floating keyboard on your iPad – Apple Support

Split and move the keyboard on your iPad – Apple Support

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Answer 2

Flounder3 Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 17, 2025 8:07 PM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you for your response. I will try with Scribble off and a force restart and hope that even if it reappears, pinching will expand the window.

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