Keyboard problems since installing iPadOS 26 and 26.1

I finally “upgraded” to iPadOS 26.1. Keyboard malfunctions regularly since installing 26. This iPad is my main computer, but writing text is a pain. Keyboard does not respond to characters typed, but instead adds others. I ended up with a row of 8s in an email; each time I poked delete key, I got another 8 (I was not typing fast, each stroke was deliberate AND caps lock was NOT on so shouldn’t have generated a number anyway). I tried selecting the text to delete but cursor went elsewhere randomly (which it now does often); I was never able to select. I finally had to quit the email and start over. Sometimes the keyboard doesn’t appear at all when I click into a field that allows input (and there is no thumbnail displayed to enable keyboard activation). Sometimes the cursor goes anywhere but where I’m trying to place it; sometimes it selects text (elsewhere) rather than enabling me to add text where I want.


This is unacceptable interference in tasks that worked well before updating to 26, 26.1. I have tried restarting and hard reboots. I’ve checking settings, followed instructions I found online from others with similar problems but so far nothing has worked. I held off installing this new iOS until last week, and ever since then, keyboard problems are frequent. I truly regret installing this iOS and cannot recommend. I’ve already warned others away from it. Any other advice to make text entry on this iPad work until Apple fixes (which hopefully happens ASAP)? iPad Pro 9/2021, 11”, 3rd gen, using built-in on-screen keyboard.


Other noted issues: sometimes cursor goes to the bottom of a document, regardless of where I’m trying to place it. Ditto when I’m trying to add new info (like an email or URL) to a contact card: cursor goes below the Notes area. Try again to place in the proper field, display zooms/scrolls to the end of the contact’s Notes space and puts the cursor there. Yesterday, someone sent me a phone number that had 1+ at the beginning; I used copy/paste to add to the contact then tried to backspace/delete or select/delete to remove the 1+, but never was successful. In my area, this will cause calls to that number to fail (I also have iPhone with shared contact list). Sometimes when trying to place the cursor, instead of iPadOS just placing the cursor, it selects the previous word (or random-sized text block), which then is deleted and must then be retyped. Additional attempts to place the cursor properly so I can insert text are ignored.

iPad Pro

Posted on Nov 10, 2025 7:14 AM

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12 replies

Dec 3, 2025 3:09 AM in response to soart

If your iPad is not operating as expected, try a forced-restart - as this will often clear an isolated software issue:


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:

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





If the problem persists after performing the restart, it may be necessary to reset your iPad settings. While this reset will not cause any loss of data, as a precaution, it is always wise to ensure that you have a current iCloud or iTunes backup before performing the reset:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support


When you are happy to proceed, you can perform the reset from iPad settings:

Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset All Settings


If the problem still doesn’t clear, the next step is to reset the iPad to factory settings:

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support


Otherwise, you would be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively and perhaps easier, you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044


You might also visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to test and assess your iPad - and you can explore your available options:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

Nov 21, 2025 5:22 PM in response to soart

I am having the same experience with ipad air 3rd generation after updating to 26. Random words appearing after hitting the space bar of just random letters, "data" turns into "gard" for example and was reproduceable multiple times. No on-screen keyboard showing up when in an input field until app restarted. Split keyboard doesn't split. Two ghost boxes appear on screen in transparent where the split keyboard should be, and the full keyboard goes transparent behind them. So no split keyboard capability for on-screen keyboard which creates a full dependency on the external one.


I am also running into non-connections with bluetooth or connection with no sound since 26.1.


I hope the dev teams are paying attention to these things.

Nov 10, 2025 7:24 AM in response to soart

I tried reporting via Apple site, but in one reporting area, I had to pick hardware, so I chose iPad, and in another area (allegedly for iOS issues), I had to choose an app (I chose Mail) but the problem is across multiple apps because it is an iOS-specific and keyboard-specific issue…and those aren’t choices.

Dec 3, 2025 7:24 AM in response to LotusPilot

Thank you for listing this summary of actions all in one place. But I need to unload for a moment: I’ve done a force restart (after clear and backup steps) a couple of times, checked settings, and will do a reset. I resent having to “factory reset,” which is a painful nuclear option and can create its own set of problems, hours of aggravation and loss of work time. 


The problem seems most active when editing/creating contacts and when writing texts or emails, but those are what I use most often, so I don’t have as much time on Pages yet. In addition to the issues listed previously, trying to place the cursor in a paragraph near the top of an email or document will sometimes scroll (and select) ALL the text from the finger point to the last character of the last line, then put the cursor there (ditto for the Notes area of a contact). Here’s a step you didn’t list: maybe Apple can actually deeply test major releases before making them available and then FIX their software before release…or at least promptly offer updates. I regret installing 26/26.1. I watch weekly for updates. I will report more if Apple allows.


By the way, my assumption about public “beta testers” is that their goal is early access and not to actually test or give usable feedback. Otherwise keyboard and cursor issues would have been reported and fixed long ago.

Dec 3, 2025 9:01 AM in response to David M Brewer

Thanks for this info. It has been my belief that a forced restart is more likely to remove the “cobwebs,” leftovers and interfering/unwanted cookies from prior app use compared to a simple restart, thus letting work continue with fewer issues. In fact Apple Support encouraged forced restarts a couple of times (long ago, different iPad, different issue). Out of curiosity, why “never do a force restart”?

Dec 3, 2025 9:09 AM in response to soart

A basic shutdown/restart - and forced restart - are entirely different in effect...


A basic shutdown/restart will save the current program/App states - and will reload the saved-state upon restart. By contrast, a forced restart does not save the current state - and instead causes Apps and services to be fully reinitialised "clean" as they are accessed.


As such, a forced restart will clear and reset faulting processes - unlike a simple restart. This fundamental difference is often misunderstood.

Keyboard problems since installing iPadOS 26 and 26.1

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