iOS is a wonderful operating system used on iPhones, and iPads. If you own any of those devices, it must to know all the workaround to operate it easily while saving your most of the time.
Therefore, using tricks to get your work done should be a daily routine. However, these tricks are not always in our mind and unfortunately not at the time, when we truly need them. So, we have put together a cheat sheet which help you familiarize with all the tricks keyboard and touch based for your iPad and iPhone.
Note: It is not necessary to have an iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard to use keyboard shortcuts on iOS. You can use keyboard shortcuts on iPad and iPhone provided you have Bluetooth Keyboard connected with them.
Keyboard & iOS Shortcuts
You will be surprised to know that keyboard shortcuts used on Mac could work on iPhone and iPad too. However, you are looking for keyboard shortcuts for third party apps then you need to check their manuals. All you need a iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard
If you’re using an iPad and wireless Apple keyboard or iPad Pro with Smart Keyboard, then it will work.
Note: if you are using Bluetooth keyboard which is otherwise fit for Windows, can be used. You need be habitual of differences such as wherein you find CMD on Apple keyboard, its CTRL on Windows keyboard. Similarly, ALT instead of Option.
You can also get shortcuts on iPad Pro by pressing and holding down the CMD key and you could see all shortcuts available for an app. You can get shortcuts for Home screen, Safari or some third-party apps as well.
Keyboard Shortcuts for iOS
Keyboard Shortcuts | Interpretation |
Global iOS Shortcuts | |
Alt + Tab | Toggle between apps via App Switcher |
Cmd + Space | Used For Search |
Cmd + H | Home Screen |
Cmd (Hold) | Shows lists of shortcuts(iPad and iPad Pro) |
Text Shortcuts | |
CMD + C | Copy |
CMD + X | Cut |
CMD + V | Paste |
CMD + Shift + Z | Redo |
CMD + Z | Undo |
CMD + A | Select All |
Option + Shift + Right/Left | Select Next/Previous word |
Shift + Right/Left | Select with Cursor |
Option + Right/Left | Move cursor to next/previous word |
General Shortcuts | |
CMD +N | To create new reminder, contact |
CMD + I | Display Info |
CMD + F | Search in specific app |
CMD + B/U/I | To highlight in bold/Underline/Italics |
Safari Shortcuts | |
Cmd + T | Open new window/tab |
Cmd + Shift + \ | Display tab Outline |
Cmd + W | Close down present tab |
Cmd + Shift + T | Reopen formerly closed tab |
Cmd + R | Refresh current window/tab |
Cmd + L | Open location/search bar |
Ctrl + Tab | Next tab |
Cmd + F | Find on current page |
Cmd + ] | Forward |
Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Previously opened tab |
Cmd + Shift + D | Add a page to your Reading List |
Cmd + [ | Backward |
Cmd + Shift + L | Display sidebar |
Mail Shortcuts | |
Cmd + N | Compose new message |
Cmd + R | Send a reply |
Backspace | Delete a message |
Ctrl + Cmd + A | Archive a message |
Cmd + Shift + F | Forward message |
Cmd + Shift + R | Reply to all recipients |
Cmd + Shift + J | Mark as junk |
Cmd + Shift + U | Mark as unread/read |
Cmd + Shift + L | Flag a message |
Option + Cmd + F | Search your mailbox |
Cmd + Shift + N | Get a new mail |
Cmd + L | Filter mail |
Calendar Shortcuts | |
Cmd + N | Create a new event |
Cmd + T | Show present day events |
Cmd + Right/Left | Go to next/previous year, month, day, week |
Tab | Go to next event |
Cmd + R | Refresh |
Shift + Tab | Go to previous event |
Cmd + 1/2/3/4 | Go to year/month/week/day view |
Cmd + F | Search events |
Notes Shortcuts | |
Cmd + N | New note |
Cmd + Enter | Finish editing |
Cmd + F | Find in specific note |
Enter | Edit a note |
Option + Cmd + F | Search list of notes |
Cmd + ] | Indent text right |
Cmd + Shift T/B/H/L | To format Title/Body/Heading/Checklist |
Cmd + [ | Indent text left |
Option + Cmd + T | Create a new table |
Cmd + B/U/I | To highlight in Bold/Underline/Italics |
News Shortcuts | |
Cmd + F | Search |
Tab | Jump to Next story |
Cmd + Up | Toggle to top of page |
Cmd + R | Refresh News |
Cmd + 1/2/3/4/5 | For You/Spotlight/Following/Search/Saved tabs |
Touch Based iOS Shortcuts
Typing Shortcuts | |
Double-tap on Space bar | Insert space along with period |
Double-tap Shift button | Activates Caps lock |
Tap & Hold a key | Use alternate characters or symbols |
Tap & hold language key or emoji | Get To keyboard settings, languages and orientation. |
3D Touch “Send” button | Get To “Send with effect” menu (only on iMessage) |
3D Touch and scroll keyboard | Move cursor with precision |
Navigation Shortcuts | |
Tap status/time bar | Scroll to the top of a list or a page quickly |
3D Touch and swipe from left | Get To App Switcher |
Swipe upwards bottom of screen (except iPhone X) | Open Control Center |
Swipe downwards from top of screen | Access present day screen/Notification Center |
Home Screen Shortcuts | |
Swipe in downwards direction on home screen | Search iPhone |
3D Touch app | Takes you to app function or shares App Store link |
Swipe in right hand side on home screen | Access present day screen and widgets |
Tap & hold app | Move to new location or delete app |
3D Touch folder | Rename folder |
Browsing Shortcuts | |
3D Touch on link or image | Open link or image to preview |
Tap & hold Refresh | Get quick access to Request Desktop Site option |
Tap & hold link or image | Get to context menu |
Tap & hold Bookmarks button | Add a thing to Bookmarks or Reading List |
Tap & hold Tabs button | Get To Tab’s context menu to open or close tabs |
Tap & hold Reader Mode button | Activate Automatic Reader View for certain websites |
iPad Shortcuts | |
Four-finger swipe left/right | Switch apps left/right |
Pull keyboard aside to left & right | Access split keyboard mode |
Four-finger swipe up | Get To app switcher |
Five-finger pinch | Get To Home screen |
iPhone X Shortcuts | |
Swipe up from lower end of the screen | Go to Home screen |
Pull down from top-left corner of screen | Get To Present day /Notification Center |
Pull down from top-right corner of screen | Get To Control Center |
Swipe up from lower end of the screen and flick right | Get To App Switcher |
So, these are these shortcuts and tricks to use iPad and iPhone to optimum level. Once you have memorized these shortcuts, you can be more productive and can use your device with more speed. Try it on! In case you have any doubts or want to say anything, mention in the comments below.