diff --git a/java/res/values/strings.xml b/java/res/values/strings.xml
index e5341f6..73fb7bd 100644
--- a/java/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/java/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -51,6 +51,9 @@
     <!-- Settings screen title for keyboard theme settings [CHAR LIMIT=33] -->
     <string name="settings_screen_theme">Theme</string>
 
+    <!--  Option for enabling or disabling the split keyboard layout. [CHAR LIMIT=65]-->
+    <string name="enable_split_keyboard">Enable split keyboard</string>
+
     <!-- Option name for including other IMEs in the language switch list [CHAR LIMIT=30] -->
     <string name="include_other_imes_in_language_switch_list">Switch to other input methods</string>
     <!-- Option summary for including other IMEs in the language switch list [CHAR LIMIT=65] -->
diff --git a/java/res/xml/prefs_screen_appearance.xml b/java/res/xml/prefs_screen_appearance.xml
index 7719c05..036b665 100644
--- a/java/res/xml/prefs_screen_appearance.xml
+++ b/java/res/xml/prefs_screen_appearance.xml
@@ -26,4 +26,9 @@
         android:fragment="com.android.inputmethod.latin.settings.CustomInputStyleSettingsFragment"
         android:key="custom_input_styles"
         android:title="@string/custom_input_styles_title" />
+    <CheckBoxPreference
+        android:key="pref_split_keyboard"
+        android:title="@string/enable_split_keyboard"
+        android:persistent="true"
+        android:defaultValue="false" />
 </PreferenceScreen>