In iOS 5, Apple introduced a split keyboard function on the iPad and iPad Mini. This feature works in iOS 6 as well and allows you to move the keyboard up and down on the screen in two halves so that you can type easier when you are holding the iPad (Mini). The feature works both in portrait and landscape mode. The space bar also splits in two when the keyboard is split to give easy access for both thumbs. You can also undock the keyboard without splitting it and move it to a different place on your iPad or iPad Mini screen. Here is how to use the split keyboard and undock keyboard feature.

1. Split Keyboard

Anytime the virtual keyboard is visible on the screen, locate the button on the bottom right of the keyboard. This button pushed once allows you to hide the keyboard. But it also doubles as the split keyboard button. To activate the split keyboard function, tap on the hide keyboard button and drag up. As you drag up, the keyboard will split. When you let go, the keyboard will stay in place where ever you released the button. To move the keyboard just tap and drag the hide keyboard button. If you want to undo the split keyboard to rejoin it, simply tap and drag the keyboard back down to the bottom of the screen.

2. Undock Keyboard

To undock the keyboard, simply tap and hold on the hide keyboard button for 2 seconds. Two buttons will appear allowing you to split the keyboard as in step one and a second option to undock the keyboard. Tap on the Undock button to allow you to move the keyboard to a different location on the screen. If you want to dock the keyboard again, tap and hold on the hide keyboard button for another two seconds to reveal the Dock button. Tap the Dock  button and the keyboard will return back its normal position.