If you’ve ever felt like the keyboard on your iPad takes up way too much space, you’re in luck! It’s possible to make the keyboard smaller, making it easier to see more of your screen while typing. This quick guide will show you how to shrink your iPad keyboard to a more manageable size in just a few simple steps.
Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Make Keyboard Smaller on iPad
In this section, we’ll walk you through the process of making your iPad keyboard smaller. Follow these steps to free up some screen space and make typing a more comfortable experience.
Step 1: Open an App That Requires Typing
Find any app that requires you to type, such as Notes or Messages.
Once you’ve opened the app, the keyboard should automatically appear on your screen. This is your starting point for making the keyboard smaller.
Step 2: Pinch the Keyboard with Two Fingers
Place two fingers on the keyboard and pinch them together.
Imagine you’re trying to zoom out on a photo. When you pinch the keyboard, it will shrink down and become a floating version, giving you more room on your screen.
Step 3: Move the Small Keyboard
Tap and hold the small, floating keyboard with one finger, then drag it to where you want it.
You can position this smaller keyboard anywhere on your screen, making it convenient to type while keeping an eye on other content.
Step 4: Return to Full-Size Keyboard
To revert to the full-size keyboard, place two fingers on the small keyboard and spread them apart.
This action is like zooming in on a photo, and it will bring your keyboard back to its original size.
Step 5: Explore Other Keyboard Settings
Go to Settings > General > Keyboard for more customization options.
Here, you can adjust other keyboard settings like enabling or disabling autocorrect, predictive text, and more.
After completing these steps, your iPad keyboard will shrink to a floating version, giving you more screen space to work with.
Tips for Making Keyboard Smaller on iPad
- Use the Floating Keyboard Feature: Pinching the keyboard to make it smaller is actually using the floating keyboard feature.
- Reposition the Keyboard: Don’t forget you can move the floating keyboard around to wherever it’s most convenient for you.
- Try Split Keyboard: If you’re using an older iPad model, consider using the split keyboard option for even more flexibility.
- Use Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts to improve your typing speed and efficiency.
- Adjust Keyboard Settings: Explore additional settings in the Keyboard menu to further customize your typing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I resize the floating keyboard?
To resize it, pinch with two fingers to make it smaller or spread two fingers apart to make it larger.
Can I disable the floating keyboard feature?
Yes, simply spread two fingers apart on the floating keyboard to revert it back to the regular size.
Does making the keyboard smaller affect typing accuracy?
It might initially, but with practice, you’ll likely find it just as accurate as the full-size keyboard.
Can I use the small keyboard in landscape mode?
Yes, you can use the floating keyboard in both landscape and portrait modes.
Are there other ways to customize my iPad keyboard?
Yes, you can explore settings like text replacement, keyboard shortcuts, and third-party keyboards for more customization.
Summary
- Open an app that requires typing.
- Pinch the keyboard with two fingers.
- Move the small keyboard.
- Return to full-size keyboard.
- Explore other keyboard settings.
Conclusion
Now you know how to make the keyboard smaller on your iPad, freeing up precious screen real estate and making your device easier to use. Whether you’re typing up a quick note, responding to messages, or working on a more extended document, having a smaller keyboard can provide a more comfortable and efficient experience.
Don’t forget to explore additional keyboard settings and shortcuts to further enhance your typing efficiency. Experiment with both the floating and full-size keyboards to find out which one suits your needs the best. Happy typing!
For further reading, consider exploring how to customize other settings on your iPad to make it truly your own. If you’ve found this guide helpful, share it with friends who might also need some tips on optimizing their iPad experience.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.