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iPhone Basics

Using the Keyboard

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Using the keyboard

The iPhone has a built-in virtual keyboard that you can use to input text on your device. While it's much smaller than a physical keyboard, the virtual keyboard includes several convenient shortcuts to make typing easier.

To access the keyboard:

The iPhone's virtual keyboard will appear whenever you tap a text field. For example, the keyboard will appear when composing an email, writing a note, or entering a website address.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn more about using the iPhone's virtual keyboard.

Cursor

The cursor indicates where the text will appear.

Letter Keys

The main part of the keyboard includes the letter keys and the space bar.

Tap these keys to add the desired text.

Backspace Key

Tap the Backspace key to erase the character to the left of the cursor.

Press and hold the Backspace key to delete entire words.

Space Bar

Tap the space bar to add a space.

You can also double tap the space bar at the end of a sentence to automatically add a period.

Number Keys and Special Characters

Tap here to switch the keyboard from letters to numbers and special characters. Tap the button again to switch back. It will also switch back when you add a space after a character.

You can also tap the #+= button to access more special characters.

Voice Dictation

This feature allows you to enter text without having to use the keyboard. Tap the microphone icon on your keyboard, then start talking. (Only available for devices with Siri.)

Shift Key

Tap the Shift key and then tap a letter to insert a capital letter or alternate character.

Double tap the Shift key twice to turn on Caps Lock.

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Keyboard features

The iPhone's virtual keyboard includes several features that make typing on your device faster and easier.

Suggestions

The iPhone will offer suggestions for certain words as you type. When typing, simply tap the space bar to use a suggestion. In the example below, we used the suggestion to change agreem to agreement. To dismiss a suggestion, tap the X.

Screenshot of the iPhoneUsing a suggestion

Auto-Correction

The iPhone will correct commonly misspelled words automatically. For example, teh will be corrected to the.

Screenshot of the iPhoneAuto-Correction

While it's a powerful feature, Auto-Correction isn't perfect. And because it happens automatically, you may not always notice when something is changed. You should always review your text to make sure it's correct.

Spell check

In addition to Auto-Correction, the iPhone will note spelling errors as you type. Any misspelled words will be underlined in red. To view possible suggestions for a spelling error, tap the word. A list of possible spellings will appear. Simply tap a suggestion to replace the existing word.

Screenshot of the iPhoneSpelling suggestions

Moving the cursor

Sometimes you may find that you want to edit something at the beginning of a sentence or paragraph. Rather than deleting the existing text and starting over, you can move the cursor to the desired location. To move the cursor, simply tap the desired location. If you need more control, press and hold the screen, then (without removing your finger) drag the magnifying glass to choose a location for the cursor.

Screenshot of the iPhoneMoving the cursor

To copy and paste text:

If you want to move text from one location to another, you can copy and paste it. This is especially helpful if you want to move text between different apps. For example, you might find some useful information in Safari and then copy and paste it into the Notes app.

  1. First, you'll need to select the text you wish to copy. Double-tap the screen next to the text you wish to select, then drag the blue selection handles to select the text.
  2. Menu options will appear above the selected text. Tap Copy.
    Screenshot of the iPhoneCopying text
  3. Double-tap the desired location for the text, then tap Paste.
    Screenshot of the iPhonePasting text
  4. The copied text will appear.
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More keyboard tips

The iPhone keyboard has several other features that aren't immediately obvious. We've listed some of the most helpful ones below:

  • Screen orientation: You can rotate the iPhone to change the size of the keyboard. Some people prefer to type with a larger keyboard in landscape mode, while others find portrait mode to be faster and easier.
  • Alternate characters: You can press and hold certain letters and symbols to add accents or alternate characters.
    Screenshot of the iPhoneInserting an alternate character
  • Undo button: Rather than deleting text manually, you can use the Undo button. To access the Undo button, shake the iPhone back and forth, then select Undo.
    Screenshot of the iPhoneUsing the Undo button
  • Slide and type: If you only need to insert one number or special character, press and hold the Number button, then—without releasing your finger—slide your finger to the desired character. When you release your finger, the keyboard will switch back to the Letter keys.

Keyboard settings

If you want even more control over the keyboard, you can customize its settings.

To customize keyboard settings:

  1. Open the Settings from the Home screen, then tap General.
    screenshot of the iPhoneTapping General
  2. Scroll down and tap Keyboard.
    Screenshot of iPhone displayOpening the keyboard settings
  3. The keyboard settings will appear. From here, you can turn certain keyboard features (like Auto-Correction) on and off, add another keyboard language, and create custom text shortcuts.
    Screenshot of iPhone displayCustomizing keyboard settings