iPhone Users Can Boost Typing Speed With Hidden Keyboard Shortcuts

Apple iPhone users can significantly improve their texting and typing efficiency by utilizing a variety of built-in keyboard shortcuts. These features, often overlooked due to their placement in lengthy instructions, can streamline communication for both personal and professional use.

One such feature is QuickPath, which allows users to write by sliding their finger across the digital keyboard instead of tapping individual letters. To enable this, navigate to Settings, then General, and finally Keyboard, where the 'Slide to Type' option can be toggled on. To use QuickPath, begin by touching the first letter of a word and sliding your finger to subsequent letters without lifting. Erasing an entire word typed with QuickPath can be done by tapping the delete key once after completion.

Editing text on the iPhone can also be simplified. To move the cursor to a specific point within a sentence or paragraph, press and hold the space bar until the letters on the keyboard disappear, or hold it within the text bubble. The cursor can then be precisely positioned by sliding your finger across the screen, effectively turning the keyboard into a trackpad.

Selecting text for copying and pasting is another area where shortcuts can be beneficial. A double-tap on a word highlights it, while a triple-tap selects an entire paragraph. For more granular control, the trackpad method can be employed: hold your thumb on the space bar, tap anywhere on the keyboard, and then move your finger to select the desired text. This method works for selecting and deselecting text in applications like Notes and email. However, in certain messaging apps such as iMessage or WhatsApp, text can only be selected, not deselected if over-highlighted. A workaround involves holding down the shift key while simultaneously holding down the space bar.

Copying and pasting can be performed using on-screen pop-up options, or through gestures. A three-finger pinch closed gesture can copy highlighted text, while the reverse gesture, pinching or spreading three fingers open, pastes the content. This gesture-based copy-and-paste functionality can also be applied to photos.

While these shortcuts offer considerable advantages, their smooth functionality can sometimes vary depending on the specific application or device. Testing on short text snippets revealed occasional inconsistencies, suggesting they might perform more reliably on larger screens, such as those found on an iPad.