10 Best iPhone Keyboard Shortcuts You Should Use Like a Pro

 Most iPhone users never think about changing their default Apple keyboard. Unlike Android, where installing a third-party keyboard is common, iPhone comes with only the built-in iOS keyboard. At first glance, it might look basic, but it actually hides a handful of powerful features and shortcuts. If you know how to use them, you can type faster, save time, and truly use your iPhone keyboard like a pro.

In this guide, we’ll explore five iPhone shortcuts and keyboard features that can dramatically improve your typing experience.

1. Text Replacement for Quick Phrases

One of the most underrated iPhone shortcuts is Text Replacement. This feature lets you create your own custom shortcuts for frequently used words or phrases.

Example:

• Type “omw” and it expands to “On my way!”
• Or use “addr” to insert your full home address instantly.

You can set this up by going to:

Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement

2. Double-Tap Spacebar for a Period

Instead of switching to the punctuation menu every time, you can just double-tap the spacebar and the keyboard automatically inserts a period followed by a space. This is one of the simplest but most effective shortcuts for speeding up writing on iPhone.

3. Quick Access to Symbols and Numbers

Did you know you don’t need to fully switch to the number/symbol keyboard?

• Just tap and hold the “123” key, slide your finger to the number or symbol you need, and then release.
• The keyboard will instantly return to letters, saving you extra taps.

This trick is especially useful when writing passwords or mixing text and numbers.

4. Hold and Drag to Move Cursor

Positioning the text cursor can be tricky, but Apple added a smart shortcut:

• Tap and hold the spacebar until the keys disappear.
• Now, drag your finger around to move the cursor smoothly anywhere in your text.

This makes editing long messages or documents much faster compared to tapping randomly on the screen.

5. Use Dictation for Hands-Free Typing

Sometimes typing isn’t the fastest option. With the built-in dictation feature, you can speak, and the iPhone will convert your voice into text instantly.

• Just tap the microphone icon on the keyboard and start talking.
• You can even say commands like “comma” or “new line” to insert punctuation.

It’s a perfect shortcut when you’re on the move or want to save time.

6. Shake to Undo Typing

Instead of holding delete to erase a sentence, simply shake your iPhone and tap Undo Typing. It’s a quick way to fix mistakes.

7. Quick Path (Swipe Typing)

On iOS, you can swipe across letters to form words without lifting your finger. It’s called QuickPath and makes typing one-handed much faster.

8. Emoji Shortcuts & Search

Typing :) will suggest an emoji automatically. You can also tap the emoji icon and use the search bar to quickly find the right emoji without scrolling.

9. One-Handed Keyboard Mode

Perfect for larger iPhones — tap and hold the globe or emoji icon, then select the left or right keyboard layout to type with one hand.

10. Keyboard Trackpad with Two Fingers (iPad-like)

Besides the spacebar method, placing two fingers anywhere on the keyboard also turns it into a trackpad for moving the cursor or selecting text.

The iOS keyboard might look simple, but with the right iPhone shortcuts and features, it can be a powerful tool. From text replacement to cursor control, these small tricks can help you type faster, edit more easily, and enjoy a smoother experience on your iPhone.

So next time you pick up your iPhone, try out these keyboard shortcuts and see how they can make your typing feel truly professional.