Split Keyoard iPad Air (10.9 inch)

Split and move the keyboard on your iPad - Apple Support

I don’t have an iPad Air 4, so I can’t check this. If the split keyboard capability were available, you should be able to see this in Settings:

Settings > General > Keyboard > Split Keyboard

Is it there?

My apologies. I have the iPad Air 3 with the 10.5” screen. The new 4th generation has a 10.9” screen.

It appears as though Apple seems it isn’t necessary to include that split keyboard feature on the larger screen iPads. The difference between the screen size on the 3 and 4 is so minimal though, but I assume that screen size is the cut off point.

I have to admit that I am a hunt and peck typist and if I had to type only with my thumbs, I would have to dictate everything. I have never used a split keyboard and I still type with one finger on my tiny iPhone keyboard. I could never get the hang of using my thumbs.

Like you I never use the split keyboard option, so I was surprised to see the capability doesn’t exist on my 2 day old “Air 4”. What has been more of an issue for me is the reversal of the Emoji and 123 keys I was accustomed to on the iPad 6. Of course when my thumbs become trained to the new placement of those keys, Apple will change them with an iOS update.

I didn’t even notice the reversal of the two keys until you just pointed it out. Sometimes I wish Apple would quitting making change for the sake of change and practice the old adage of it it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Demo wrote:

I have to admit that I am a hunt and peck typist and if I had to type only with my thumbs, I would have to dictate everything. I have never used a split keyboard and I still type with one finger on my tiny iPhone keyboard. I could never get the hang of using my thumbs.

I could not have said this better. This is exactly my situation as well.

Yes it is available on the iPad Air 3. I have an iPad Air 3. Screenshot below.

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Strangely, not on the new iPad Air 4. Floating is the only available option, and no amount of finger spreading seems to work.

I suspect the OP’s keyboard options are similar to mine.

The split keyboard is available on the iPad Air.

I don’t know why Apple doesn’t include the feature on iPads with larger screens, but my iPad Air 3 with a 10.5” screen is where they apparently decided to cut it off.