Does anyone type with their thumbs on their iPhone or iPad?

By Wenwei, 4 November, 2021

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Subject line says it all: I would like to know if anyone uses their thumbs to type on a phone or iPad. If so, can you give me some tips and suggestions? When I used to use the on-screen keyboard instead of the on-screen braille keyboard, I used my pointer finger and that just seems inefficient...

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Comments

By Missy Hoppe on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 01:09

I understand that the majority of the world, the sighted world in particular, does almost everything on their smart phones using their thumbs. I freely admit that I've never even attempted this, but that's primarily because just thinking about it seems so unnatural to me. I have always, always used the first finger on my right hand. It's my braille reading finger, and the only one competant on my iphone. I shudder to think what would happen if I somehow ever lost that finger. I'd be interested in reading, though, how people use their thumbs efficiently and what benefits there are in doing so.

By OldBear on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 01:09

It isn't that great. Using both thumbs speeds up typing a little, however, I don't hold my phone that way most of the time. Since I use navigate by touch all over the screen, I'm much better at locating things with my right index. On top of that, a lot of the VO gestures require you to hold the phone, if you are holding it, with one hand and gesture with the other, like a three-finger-swipe. Sighted users don't deal with most of that. I much prefer having a bluetooth keyboard for typing and touch screen for doing most of the other stuff, other than web browsing. Those heading levels 1-6 on a keyboard make life so much easier.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 01:09

HI!
On my iPad I type using all my fingers if I use English, Russian, Arabic and Turkish on-screen braille input? using wubi Chinese input and Japanese usual keyboard layout on screen, I type with my all fingers on iPad. It is very comfortable. As for my iPhone I type on standard keyboard with my point finger. And it is not important if the left hand or the right one.
Cheers!

By Mister Kayne on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 01:09

Sorry, but I found this question really funny. With the phones becoming larger than our palms do you still expect the flexibility to type with one hand and using the thumb?

To answer your question, yes, I do type with one hand and using my thumb. That is because I own an iPhone SE 2020 and sometimes it's still challenging to reach the extreme left of the keyboard where the Q, A and SHIFT keys are. So what I did was went to the keyboard settings and found a setting for one hand typing and changed it to right. I believe the keyboard has now visually shifted a bit to the right so that I can use one hand and my thumb so that I can type.

Wondering what the experience is with the larger phones like the PRO and PRO MAX; iPad I don't think you can, and if you can, how large are your hands or how long are your fingers? I can't comment because I don't own an iPad

I also think the mini series are great if you want one handed typing and using the thumbs. Would be great to hear from someone on the subject. Have a good one!

By Apple Khmer on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 01:09

when I was an iOS user. there was a setting called Split Tap. Where you could use two fingers to perform a double tap instead of using one to double tap. How that would work is you would place one finger on whatever button or item you wanted to tap, then set your other finger down wherever on the screen and the task would be performed. In the case of the keyboard, you would place one finger on whatever key you wanted and another finger wherever and the key you wanted pressed would be pressed. I got pretty proficient with using that option to type with one hand during my time with iOS. You will need to set your screen and keyboard to direct touch typing for the best results, if I remember correctly.

By al-Salil on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 01:09

I have an iPhone XR and I type with my thumbs.
I have the phone in portrait mode and I hold it in a way that it feels very natural to type with my thumbs.
My left thumb to use the left side of the on screen keyboard and my right thumb to handle the right side of the keyboard.
I type quite fast this way and I also use lift to type.
This feels natural to me and I've heard some people commenting you type and use your phone like younger people do LOL
I hate talking to my phone, so I never use SIRI to dictate etc.
I exclusively use the touch screen.

By LaBoheme on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 01:09

i think what the OP means if you guys type with two thumbs, that's almost all millennials and gen z type. if you type with only one finger, it doesn't really matter what finger you use; unless you use your middle finger, which can at times create misunderstanding.
it's ok if you type with only one index finger, just don't admit it, or you'll be called an old hag! LOL

By Wenwei on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 01:09

Hi, Everyone!

Thanks for taking the time to respond! I didn't realize revealing how I typed 5 years ago when I primarily used the on-screen qwerty keyboard would say something about my age. Given a choice, I would much rather use my keyboard, braille display, or braille screen input. But if I'm on a low-stakes conference call and don't have my keyboard or braille display on hand, I will need to be able to type short texts into the chat box without the device lying flat somewhere—either in my palm or on the table—or the camera randomly facing away from my face.

These suggestions will help me learn what I need to know, consider form factor, and plan accordingly — thanks again!

By Ally on Thursday, November 25, 2021 - 01:09

My first phone was a Nokia, (Remember flip phones?) which is when I learned to text using my thumbs. Because I was already comfortable texting this way, I continued using my thumbs after switching to iOS.
I use dictation from time to time, but I mainly use my thumbs, especially if I'm out in public.
Like Al-Salil, I use my phone in portrait mode.