Accessing the app switcher with a hardware keyboard

By glassheart, 18 December, 2022

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

I have a bluetooth aluminum Apple keyboard. I think it's the same one you get with iMac systems, though don't quote me, as I didn't get mine with a mac; I bought it sand-alone.

Using iOS 16.2 with my iPhone 13 Pro Max, I know hitting Command+H takes you to the home screen. That said, I could have absolutely sworn that hitting Command+H twice quickly in succession was how you access the app switcher, but undoubtedly I'm wrong. All that is appearing to do is keep accessing the home button over and over.

What have I clearly missed? I used to know with a bluetooth keyboard how to do this, but it's slipping my mind.

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Comments

By Holger Fiallo on Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 00:39

Use it and it should open it. It does in my apple smart keyboard.

By Andy Lane on Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 00:39

I also wish there was a way to do this as it would make the iPad almost as quick to move around as the iPhone. To my knowledge though there isn’t and I’m guessing Apple removed the VO HH option for this reason which if true would be very customer aggressive. I remember using VO HH too, it was my way of working around the artificial restriction of no command tab on the iPhone to nudge us toward an iPad. I also tried FN up arrow on my iPad Magic Keyboard and it didn’t do anything there either. Is there something I’m missing? Obviously on the iPad I don’t need it because I have command tab but would be really nice on the iPhone. I’m using a K380 on the iPhone.

By Andy Lane on Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 00:39

After a bit of experimentation I found FN + VO then HH works to bring up the app switcher. Still no excuse for removing command tab but at least there’s something. Using iPhone 14 Pro Max with Logitech K380.

By glassheart on Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 00:39

OK, that's just weird! I wonder why you have to include the FN key. I could see it if it was VO and one of the 12 function keys F1 through F12, as you'd have to include the fn key to make them software and not hardware keys, but this is simply just VO+H twice quickly. I don't get it at all, and believe you me. I've been using iOS and Voiceover almost since it first came into existance more than 10 years ago. Heck, almost 15 years now. So, not to brag nor toot my own horn here, but if anyone would know, it would be me.

By glassheart on Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 00:39

I'll have to give Command+Tab a try on my iPad. I didn't think that worked there nor on the phone. Now granted, to be fair, my iPad is pretty old. It's a Mini 5th gen, but who knows. I mean, it definitely is on iPad OS 16.2, so it may work.

As for your reference to FN+Up arrow, what're you talking about there? I've never even heard of that. I know about control+up and down arrow to move to the first and the last items on the screen, but not FN up arrow.

By glassheart on Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 00:39

Definitely not for me. FN+up arrow does nothing at all on my end. I've tried multiple times.

By Greg Wocher on Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 00:39

Hello,
I just tried the VO plus h twice quickly on my iPhone 12 with a logitech ergo K860 keyboard and it worked just fine. I also tried it on my 2020 11 inch iPad pro and it worked there as well. Try rebooting your phone to see if that helps. You can also try to unpair and re-pair your keyboard. Also FN plus up arrow will only work if you have full keyboard access enabled under keyboard settings. However if you enable this it will mess with VO focus.

By glassheart on Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 00:39

Oddly enough, I tried practically every single thing you suggested, and even tried with multiple keyboards, but it's not working for me with VO+H twice. Before anyone says this, yeah, I'm aware that the FN key is the far left most key unlike a Windows keyboard, so you have to move one key in to get your control and option keys. Trust me, this ain't my first rodio. I have no idea what's going on, and no, full keyboard access isn't on, as I also am aware about that screwing with VO focus. That's exactly why I don't use it.