12 Tricks to Type Faster on Your iPhone or iPad
iPhone and iPad Keyboard Secrets for Faster Typing
The keyboards on your iPhone and iPad contain several lesser-known features designed to enhance your typing speed and efficiency.
These functionalities aren't always immediately apparent. Many users remain unaware of these capabilities until they are specifically informed or discover them through resources like this article.
Hidden iPad Keyboard Features
iPad users benefit from unique keyboard options. A particularly useful feature allows you to split the keyboard into two separate sections.
This split keyboard can then be repositioned anywhere on the screen, offering greater flexibility and comfort during use.
iPhone Keyboard Tips
Even on iPhone, subtle enhancements exist to streamline your typing experience. Exploring these features can significantly improve your overall productivity.
These often-overlooked tricks are readily available, waiting to be utilized by those seeking a more efficient mobile typing method.
- Discovering these features can be a game-changer.
- They can transform how you interact with your device.
Ultimately, taking the time to learn these keyboard shortcuts can lead to a more fluid and enjoyable mobile experience.
A Convenient Shortcut: Inserting Periods with a Double Spacebar Tap
When composing text on a smartphone, users typically utilize the expansive space bar to separate words. However, reaching for the diminutive period key at the sentence’s conclusion can be cumbersome.
A streamlined alternative exists: simply double-tap the space bar. This action automatically inserts both a period and a subsequent space, facilitating immediate continuation of your writing.
How This Technique Enhances Typing Speed
This method eliminates the need to switch focus to a smaller, less accessible key. It maintains typing momentum and contributes to a more efficient overall experience.
Consider this a quick and easy way to improve your typing workflow on mobile devices.
Related information can be found regarding additional methods for increasing typing speed on smartphone touch keyboards.
Expediting Domain Name Input: .com, .net, .org, and Beyond
Typing web addresses can be significantly accelerated by utilizing a long-press function on the period key. This allows for the rapid insertion of frequently used domain suffixes, such as .com, .net, .org, and .edu.
Simply hold down the period key, then navigate your finger to the desired suffix before releasing to automatically input it.
Functionality Across Applications
While not universally supported, this feature is confirmed to operate seamlessly within the Safari browser.
Compatibility may vary depending on the specific application being used.
This technique offers a streamlined approach to entering web addresses on your device.
Consider exploring this method to enhance your typing efficiency when browsing the internet.
Streamline Input: Access Numbers, Symbols, and Capitals with a Single Gesture
Typically, users input a number or symbol by first selecting the 123 key, then choosing the desired character, and finally returning to the letter-based keyboard via another tap on 123. However, a significantly more efficient method exists.
Instead of multiple taps, simply press and hold on the 123 key. While maintaining contact with the screen, slide your finger to the required symbol or number, and then release your finger.
This technique isn't limited to numbers and symbols. It also applies to the Shift key – touch and hold the Shift key, then move your finger to the letter you wish to capitalize, achieving rapid uppercase input.
Visual Demonstration
This streamlined process can be easily visualized and mastered with a quick practice session.
By utilizing this gesture-based input method, users can substantially reduce the time and effort required for typing on their iOS devices.
Dividing the iPad Keyboard for Easier Thumb Typing
Related: 8 Essential iPad Navigation Techniques Every User Should Be Aware Of.
For enhanced thumb-based typing on your iPad, a convenient feature allows you to divide the keyboard into two separate sections. Simply position two fingers on the iPad’s keyboard and move them outwards from each other.
This action will result in each half of the keyboard appearing on opposite sides of the screen. This configuration is ideally suited for users who prefer a two-handed grip and thumb-typing method. To revert to the standard, full-width keyboard, bring your fingers together on either side.
The split keyboard offers a degree of flexibility with extra touchable areas on each side. For instance, tapping the space to the right of the 'T' key will input a 'Y'.
Conversely, tapping the space to the left of the 'Y' key will produce a 'T'.
Once the keyboard is split, it can also be repositioned vertically on the screen. This allows for better visibility of the application content behind the keyboard.
Adjusting the Position of Your iPad Keyboard
The keyboard on your iPad can be repositioned vertically on the screen, allowing for better visibility of content obscured by it.
Simply tap the button located in the lower-right corner of the keyboard – the same button used to minimize it – and then drag your finger either upwards or downwards to adjust its placement.
Additional Keyboard Options
A long press on this same button reveals a menu of further keyboard controls.
- Docking allows the keyboard to remain visible above other apps.
- Undocking returns the keyboard to its normal, adjustable position.
- Merging combines a split keyboard back into a single, full-width layout.
- Splitting divides the keyboard into two separate sections for easier thumb typing.
These adjustments are available regardless of whether you are utilizing the standard full-width keyboard or the split keyboard designed for thumb-based input.
This feature enhances usability and ensures optimal viewing of your iPad screen while typing.
Accessing Hidden Symbols
A multitude of symbols are present on your keyboard, yet remain unseen until specifically accessed. Consider, for instance, the desire to input a cent symbol – denoted as ¢ – rather than the standard dollar sign.
To achieve this, a prolonged press on the $ key of the keyboard is required. This action reveals a selection of associated symbols that can be chosen by sliding your finger to the desired character and releasing.
This functionality extends to numerous symbol keys, each harboring a range of related characters.
Typing Accented Characters
Accented letters can be entered using a method similar to accessing hidden symbols on your keyboard. A prolonged press on the desired letter will reveal a selection of accented variations. For instance, to correctly type "touché," begin by typing "touch."
Subsequently, a sustained press on the "e" key will display a menu from which the "é" character can be chosen.
This technique provides a convenient way to incorporate diacritical marks into your text without needing to switch keyboard layouts or utilize character codes.
The Caps Lock FunctionalityThe Caps Lock key is often considered an unnecessary feature by many users. However, for those who require all-uppercase text – perhaps to emphasize a point online or to write an acronym – a quick method exists.
By pressing the Shift key two times in rapid succession, the Caps Lock function can be activated. This will maintain the uppercase setting until the Shift key is pressed twice again to deactivate it.
Understanding Caps Lock's Purpose
While frequently overlooked, Caps Lock provides a convenient way to input text entirely in capital letters. This can be useful in specific scenarios, such as composing initialisms or conveying strong emotion in digital communication.
The functionality offers a simple toggle for uppercase input, differing from the standard Shift key which requires continuous pressure for each capital letter.
Considered by some to be a relic of typewriter technology, the Caps Lock key remains present on most keyboards.
Shake to Undo FunctionalityIf you have recently typed, deleted, pasted, or cut text on your iPhone or iPad, a simple shake gesture can reveal an "Undo" option. This functionality isn't directly accessible through the on-screen keyboard.
Consequently, discovering this feature often happens accidentally, typically when a user is already experiencing frustration with their device.
The shake gesture provides a quick and convenient way to revert recent actions without navigating through menus.
This feature is particularly useful for quickly correcting errors or reversing unintended changes to text.
Leveraging or Concealing QuickType on iOS
Introduced with Apple’s iOS 8, the QuickType keyboard is designed to anticipate your next word. This predictive text feature offers suggestions as you type, for example, proposing "ambassador" after you enter "ambas."
Furthermore, QuickType analyzes your previous input to forecast subsequent words; typing "HI, how are" might prompt a suggestion of "you."
To utilize a prediction, simply tap the corresponding word displayed on the bar situated above the keyboard.
If QuickType proves unhelpful or consumes valuable screen real estate, it can be easily concealed. A simple touch and downward swipe on the QuickType bar will hide it.
To re-enable the predictive text bar, touch it and swipe upwards.
Leverage Text-Expansion Shortcuts for Enhanced Typing Speed
Text-expansion shortcuts offer a method to accelerate typing on smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Within your keyboard's Settings, the "Shortcuts" functionality allows the creation of custom abbreviations. These abbreviations will automatically be replaced with longer, predefined text strings.
Consider using this feature to simplify entering frequently used information, such as your email address. A shortcut like "@@" could be configured to expand to your complete address, like yourname@emailserver.com.
Benefits of Utilizing Shortcuts
The potential applications of these shortcuts are extensive, leading to significant time savings when repetitive phrases are encountered.
For instance, if you routinely respond to emails with similar content, a shortcut can be established to generate entire paragraphs from a brief input.
This enables rapid response composition directly from your mobile devices, minimizing manual typing effort.
Installing Keyboards from Third-Party Developers
For users interested in expanding functionality, it's possible to install keyboards developed by companies other than Apple. This is particularly relevant for those familiar with features common on other platforms, such as the swipe-to-type input method.
Specifically, functionalities like "swipe-to-type," widely favored by Android users, were not initially integrated into Apple's native keyboard. However, iOS 8 and later versions now support the installation of third-party keyboards like SwiftKey and Swipe, which can be downloaded from the app store.
After installation, these keyboards must be enabled within the Settings application. Once multiple keyboards are activated, a dedicated button appears on the on-screen keyboard, allowing users to easily switch between them.
Customizing Keyboard Settings
Users have the ability to personalize their keyboard experience through the Settings app. Navigate to General, then select Keyboard to access customization options.
Within the Keyboard settings, adjustments can be made to various features. For example, the audible keyboard clicks can be disabled by going to the Sounds category and toggling off the Keyboard Clicks option.
Alternatively, for those who prefer a more traditional typing experience, a Bluetooth keyboard can be connected to an iPhone or iPad. This provides a familiar method for inputting text.
Image source: Tommy Lu on Flickr
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