If you constantly find yourself typing the same phrases, email addresses, phone numbers, etc, on your iPhone and want to create shortcuts for typing them quickly, then this guide is for you.
In this tutorial, we will show you how you can set up the Text Replacement feature on your iPhone or iPad and use shortcuts to enter frequently used text, helping you type faster and more efficiently.
Text Replacements sync across all iCloud devices. So if you create a Text Replacement on Mac, it will automatically be available on your iPhone and iPad.
What is Text Replacement on iOS?
The Text Replacement is a built-in feature in iOS and iPadOS that allows users to assign a shortcut to any piece of text, numbers, or emoji. After creating the shortcut, you can simply type the shortcut text, and iOS will automatically insert the phrase you have assigned to it.
For example, if you create the following shortcut:
- Shortcut: omw
- Phrase: On my way!
Then iOS will automatically insert the phrase ‘On my way!’ whenever you type omw.
The Text Replacement features work everywhere on iOS, so you can use them to enter phrases and other pieces of text in Messages, Mail, Notes, Safari, and even third-party apps.
Add A Text Replacement on iPhone
Step 1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap on General.
Step 2. Now go to Keyboard and tap on the Text Replacement option.
Step 3. Tap on the ‘+’ button in the top right corner.
Step 4. In the Phrase field, type the phrase you want inserted when you trigger the shortcut.
Step 5. In the Shortcut field, type the shortcut text you want to enter for your phrase.
Note: When assigning a shortcut, make sure you choose something that is unique enough so it does not trigger accidentally in normal conversations.
Examples of how you can use Text Replacement
| Shortcut | Phrase |
|---|---|
| @@ | [email protected] |
| phnu | 0800123456 |
| omw | On my way! |
| aapl | |
| yt | #iPhoneTips #TechTutorial |
| shrug | ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ |
| mypn | +1 (555) 123-4567 |
| homeadd | 123 Apple Street, Cupertino, CA |
| brb | I’ll be right back! |
Edit or Delete A Text Replacement
Step 1. Go to Settings -> General -> Keyboard.
Step 2. Tap on Text Replacement and then tap on the item you want to edit.
Step 3. Make your changes and hit the Save button.
Step 4. To delete a Text Replacement, simply swipe left on it and hit the Delete button.
With Text Replacement, you can make your life convenient and save time by easily typing frequently used phrases and text. Whether it’s typing your email, home address, or a sentence you use in your professional emails, this feature helps you do more with less effort.
