New iOS 11 Keyboard Tricks

iOS 11 adds new ways to interact with the on-screen virtual keyboard. On the iPhone Plus models, you can move the keyboard to the left or right side to make it easier for you to type with one hand. On the iPad, you can swipe down with your finger on keys to access other characters without needing to switch to another keyboard layout.

Comments: 16 Responses to “New iOS 11 Keyboard Tricks”

    Arnie Keller
    7 years ago

    Don't all these non obvious gestures violate Apple's own interface guidelines?

    7 years ago

    Arnie: Not aware of any specific guideline that these violate. Certainly there are already third-party keyboards that have even more non-obvious gestures.

    Deanna
    7 years ago

    I noticed on the iPad keyboard you can no longer hold the ? Or ! down and get an upside down Spanish version. Has anyone figured out how to do this on the iPad? It still works on the iPhone.

    7 years ago

    Deanna: The way to get the ¿ is to add Spanish as another keyboard in Settings. Then switch to the Spanish keyboard when you want to type the ¿. In fact, you can simple switch to that keyboard while you are typing in Spanish, as other things about that keyboard may be help too. Then switch back to English when typing in English.

    Michael
    7 years ago

    Ah just found out what they are for,watched your great video should have done that first! Anyway still want to switch them off.

    7 years ago

    Michael: Settings, General, Keyboard, turn off Enable Key Flicks.

    George
    7 years ago

    Really useful information about a really useful new feature that should make typing on the virtual keyboard much easier. Thanks for the time and work you put into these videos!

    Silvia
    7 years ago

    I have an Ipad Pro, and the keyboard hasn't changed with the new iOS 11... do I need to do something special so the characters appear above the letters?

    7 years ago

    Silvia: First, check to see if you are using a third-party keyboard. Perhaps you switched to one at some point. Then look for that setting that I mention above to Deanna. That's all I can think of that could be the issue.

    Craig Knudsen
    7 years ago

    Same as Silvia. I have the same keyboard on my iPad Pro in 11 as I did in 10. Wonder how to turn it on?

    7 years ago

    Craig: Did you check in Settings?

    Victoria
    7 years ago

    Why, WHY, is the shortcuts on the iPhone keyboard removed? What a dissapointment!

    7 years ago

    Victoria: Can you be more specific? What "shortcuts" feature do you mean?

    Steve
    7 years ago

    In IOS 11 for iPhone, they removed the extra punctuation characters (period, comma, etc) from the initial keyboard. You now have to hit the 123 keyboard to access them. I've confirmed this feature has been removed. Do you know of any 3rd party keyboards that have this feature?

    7 years ago

    Steve: I'm sure many do. Gboard has a period. I would just look through the app store and most have screens showing their layout so it should be easy. Not, though, that typing a period is easy (two spaces). You can also tap and hold the 123 key, slide to the key you want, and release. So you can do a comma or anything there with one press-slide-release action.

    Jordan
    7 years ago

    Yes I am also disappointed that this feature is gone as I am coming from android and missing that greatly.. it’s annoying to have to hit 123 just to put a comma.

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