My iPad’s onscreen keyboard suddenly looks much smaller than before, making it hard for me to type comfortably. I can’t figure out how to make it bigger again. Has anyone else had this problem or know how to fix it? I’d appreciate any tips or instructions on changing the keyboard size back to normal.
Sounds like you’ve activated the floating keyboard accidentally (happens to the best of us, especially if you’re used to manipulating the iPad with gestures). When the keyboard is “floating,” it appears smaller and can be moved around the screen like a phone keyboard. Here’s what you gotta do:
- Place two fingers on the small keyboard and spread them apart, like a reverse pinch. That should “dock” it and make it full-size again.
- Alternatively, if that’s being stubborn: With the mini keyboard open, look for a little gray bar at the bottom. Tap and hold it, and you might see an option called “Dock” or “Merge.” Tap that.
This whole thing drives me nuts, too. Sometimes I think Apple is trolling us making these features SO EASY to trigger by mistake. If it keeps happening, be wary of dragging the keyboard around or pinching unexpectedly. You’re not alone in this. iPad’s got a mind of its own sometimes!
I’ve had this exact headache, and yeah, the floating keyboard thing is usually the culprit, like @himmelsjager mentioned. BUT, sometimes (and it’s wild), I’ve noticed that the iPad can also randomly switch the keyboard to its “split” version. In split mode, the keyboard kind of “breaks” in half and hugs the sides of your display. You’ll know it’s happening because each hand gets its own keyboard chunk, and trying to type like that is…an adventure. To put it back: tap and hold the keyboard button (should look like a tiny keyboard, bottom right) and then select “Dock and Merge.”
There’s also an option in Settings > General > Keyboard where you can turn off “Split Keyboard” altogether if you never want to see that monstrosity again. Though, to be honest, Apple hiding all these weird modes behind ambiguous gestures is like a twisted little scavenger hunt.
Also, as another random thing—some apps (especially old ones, or ones that haven’t been updated in a while) will only bring up a compact version of the keyboard, and you just can’t get around it unless you update the app or switch to a different one. Super rare, but it’s happened to me once or twice.
So between floating, split, and app-specific weirdness, Apple basically turned the keyboard into a choose-your-own-adventure. 
But hey, at least you’re not alone, and at least the solution isn’t totally hidden. If all else fails, force-closing the app or straight up restarting the iPad will sometimes knock things back into shape. iPadOS, amirite?
Alright folks, cutting straight to it: if your iPad keyboard is suddenly tiny, you’re probably stuck in the floating mode or the split keyboard debacle, as nicely dissected by the previous posters. But let’s not overlook another sneaky setting that can throw people off—the Display Zoom feature.
Here’s the plot twist: iPadOS actually lets you adjust overall display settings, which can weirdly impact the apparent keyboard size—especially if you’ve toggled anything for accessibility. Head over to Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom and check which option you’re on. Switching from “Default” to “Zoomed” (if available for your iPad model) will make UI elements, including the keyboard, a tad bigger throughout the system—not just in isolated apps.
Pros:
- Makes everything larger, not just the keyboard—bonus for tired eyes.
- No wacky gestures required, so it’s less prone to accidental changes.
Cons:
- Doesn’t allow for micro-adjustments—either it’s big, or it isn’t.
- Can sometimes cause layout issues in certain apps.
Competitors here have covered gestures and dock/merge fixes (all valid!). Just keep in mind those methods toggle layout, while this one scales the whole interface. Side note: some people forget that updating iPadOS can also iron out keyboard bugs—so if you’re still stuck after all the docking and zooming, check for an update. The iPad keyboard… it’s a choose-your-own-frustration adventure, isn’t it? At least there are options—even if Apple kind of buries them.