How to Use One Danded Keyboard Mode on iPhone in iOS 11

Updated Sep 22,2017 | by Shannon

Apple released a new keyboard option in iOS 11, which will be helpful for many people. And that option is that of the one-handed keyboard. This article will give you all the details about the one-handed keyboard and how to enable it. 

There are times when a person has to use one hand to operate the device. For example if one hand is not clean or free.  And it is at those times, that the one-hand keyboard becomes extremely useful. 

However, this feature is only available on the iPhone and only applicable when the phone is in vertical mode. And this feature works on the system-level. That means that if you switch to one mode, then even after you switch apps, the keyboard type will remain the same. And you need to manually switch the keyboard type to return to the original keyboard. 

How to use the one-handed keyboard mode on iPhone in iOS 11

You just need to follow some simple steps in order to do that. 

Step 1: Open up the Messaging or any app which will enable you to open the keyboard

Step 2: Click on the text field and open up the keyboard

Step 3: Click on either the emoji icon or the International globe icon (whatever is visible)

Step 4: Now you will see three keyboard icons

Step 5: If you select the keyboard in which the arrow is pointing towards the right, the keyboard will shift towards the right side

Step 6: Conversely, if you select the one in which the arrow is pointing towards left, the keyboard will move towards the left side

And that’s mostly it. This will crunch your keyboard over to one side and enable the one-handed keyboard on iPhone. It will be immensely useful for instances for when you are on the couch or computer, and do not want to use the iPhone with both hands. And can quickly type quick replies and messages.

How to Make One-Handed Keyboard Default in iOS 11

If you enabled the one-handed keyboard in iPhone in iOS 11, and enjoyed it, then you might want to consider switching it to the default keyboard. 

In order to make the one-handed keyboard the default one, you need to do the following:

Step 1: Go to Settings

Step 2: Then click on General

Step 3: Press on the Keyboard Option

Step 4: Now either tap on the “Left” or “Right” option, depending on which type of one-handed keyboard you want

So, in conclusion, enabling one-handed keyboard on iPhone in iOS 11 is an easy-enough process, and this article exactly outlines on how to do that. 

So, get the most out of your iOS experience by at least trying out enabling the one-handed keyboard on the iPhone and check whether you like it or not. Let’s hope that the Swipe keyboard also gets included in the next iOS version.

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