Discovering how to type with the on-screen keyboard on your iPhone may seem like something very basic, but the truth is that it offers multiple options and modes of use depending on your needs or preferences.Apple has integrated different ways to interact with the virtual keyboard so that everyone, regardless of their experience level or whether they use accessibility features, can type comfortably on their device. From conventional use to more advanced methods, such as voice dictation or combinations with the VoiceOver screen reader, the iPhone offers the user a full range of possibilities..
In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about typing with your iPhone's on-screen keyboard, whether you want to get the most out of it, need to adapt it for accessibility reasons, or simply want to dictate your text instead of typing it. All this in simple, practical, and accessible language so any user can follow it without any complications.
Accessibility settings for the keyboard
Apple has put special attention into improving the typing experience through the on-screen keyboard for people with special needs or simply for those looking for more interaction Custom.
If you need to customize the keyboard for accessibility reasons, you can do so from Settings > Accessibility > KeyboardsOnce there, there are three interesting options you can adjust:
- Key repeat: This feature lets you decide how long you must hold down a key before it starts automatically repeating. You can also define the speed at which it repeats or even disable it completely if you prefer to avoid accidental repetitions.
- Easy press: Ideal if you need to use key combinations, as it allows you to press them consecutively instead of simultaneously. For example, you can activate Command + Z by first pressing Command and then Z, without having to hold them down at the same time.
- Slow keys: This option helps you avoid errors when typing, as it controls the time between pressing a key and it being registered as valid. This prevents accidental keystrokes caused by rapid movements.
VoiceOver and typing with the on-screen keyboard
People using VoiceOver on their iPhone can also type using the virtual keyboard, with several input modes designed to make interaction easier.
When you turn on VoiceOver, you must double-tap a text field to bring up the insertion point and display the on-screen keyboard. There are several ways to type efficiently with this feature enabled:
- Standard writing mode: In this mode, you move your finger across the keyboard to select keys. Once you find the letter you want to enter, you must double-tap it. You can also hold one finger on the desired letter and tap with another finger to type it. VoiceOver will verbally inform you which key you are selecting and which one has been entered.
- Touch typing: Here you just touch a key and lift your finger to enter the letter. If you make a mistake, you can slide your finger until you find the correct one before lifting it. This mode is a little more intuitive. direct and fast once you get used to it.
- Direct Touch Typing: In this case, VoiceOver is partially disabled for the keyboard, allowing you to type as if the feature weren't active, which is useful if you already know the location of the keys.
- Voice Dictation: You can start or end dictation by double-tapping two fingers on the keyboard. This method is especially useful if you prefer not to type manually.
Also, when you need to enter characters with accent, you can also do this with VoiceOver:
- In standard writing: Select the unaccented letter, double-tap and hold it until the accent options appear. Then, swipe to select the appropriate letter and release once you hear the accent you need.
- In touch writing: Hold down the letter until the accented variants appear, and choose the one you want.
Using Dictation on the iPhone Keyboard
One of the most convenient methods for entering text without typing is to use voice dictation, which is built into the iPhone's system and very easy to activate.
To start dictating a text:
- Tap any text field where you want to start speaking.
- On the on-screen keyboard, tap the microphone icon.
- Once dictation is activated, simply speak to naturalnessThe text will be automatically transcribed as you speak.
Additionally, you can perform more advanced actions while dictating:
- Insert emojis: Just say the name of the emoji you want to add, such as “heart emoji” or “happy face emoji.”
- Include punctuation: You can say commands like “comma,” “period,” or “exclamation point” to have them added automatically.
- Format the text: Commands like “new line” or “new paragraph” allow you to structure your text as you speak.
- Modify existing text: By saying things like “select the last sentence” or “delete all” you can perform actions without touching the screen.
- Fix errors: If you want to undo an action, just say “undo” or “redo.”
Dictation stops automatically if you do not speak during 30 secondsYou can also stop it manually by tapping the corresponding button or saying “stop dictation.”
If that's not enough, if you have a keyboard configured in another language, you can also dictate in that same language without having to change complex settings.
Visual enlargement of text when writing
Another useful feature, especially if you need to see more clearly what you're writing or reading, is the floating text option. This tool is ideal for those with visual difficulties.
To activate it, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hover Text and activate the option. Once you've done this, when you move the pointer (if you're using, for example, a connected keyboard or pointing device), you'll see a pop-up window showing the text you're hovering over at a much larger size.
If you have a physical keyboard connected (such as the Magic Keyboard), you can also use a key to display the enlarged view. By default, this key is Control. Holding it down while moving the pointer will activate the floating window.
You can also have this window appear automatically without having to hold down any keys. To do this, enable the "Activation Lock" option in the same accessibility section. Once enabled, you can triple-tap the chosen key (Control by default) to activate the mode without having to press it constantly.
Additionally, you can change the key you use as a modifier to activate or deactivate hover text. Just go to Activation modifier and choose another key that suits you better.
Apple offers a wide variety of ways to make writing on the screen easier on iPhone, whether through accessibility features, innovative touch options, magnification tools, or the practical use of voice typing. All of this helps each user adapt their writing experience to their needs, significantly improving their daily experience with the device.