Is there a phrase or a long word that you type on your iPhone a lot? Or is there a certain word that you always spell wrong?
Being able to fix this spelling, or making it easier to type that phrase, can save you a couple of seconds and frustration over a long period of time.
One way to accomplish this is with the help of a feature on your iPhone called Text Replacements.
When you create a text replacement on your iPhone, you are defining a short series of letters that you can type, which will then be replaced automatically by a longer word or phrase.
You can create an iPhone text replacement by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement > tap the + > then set up the text replacement and tap Save.
Once the text replacement exists on your iPhone, it will start to take effect when you are typing on the regular iPhone keyboard.
This means you can use those text replacements in text messages, emails, notes, and more.
Our tutorial continues below with more on how to create and use these text shortcuts on an iPhone.
How to Set Up Message Shortcuts for an iPhone 13
- Tap Settings.
- Select General.
- Choose Keyboard.
- Touch Text Replacement.
- Tap the +.
- Enter the phrase and shortcut, then tap Save.
Our guide continues below with additional information on using iPhone text message shortcuts, including pictures of these steps.
Tired of trying to remember all your usernames and passwords? Our guide on how to save passwords on iPhone 13 will show you an easier way.
How to Create Your Own iPhone Keyboard Shortcuts (Guide with Pictures)
The steps in this article were performed on an iPhone 13 in the iOS 15.4.1 operating system. However, these steps also work on most earlier iPhone models and most recent versions of iOS. You can also create text replacements on the iPad and the iPod Touch.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll down and choose the General option.
Step 3: Touch the Keyboard button.
Step 4: Select Text Replacement near the top of the menu.
Step 5: Tap the + button at the upper right corner of the screen.
Step 6: Enter the shortcut that you want to use into the Shortcut field, then type the full phrase into the Phrase field. You can then tap the Save button at the top-right corner of the screen when you are done.
Our tutorial continues below with additional discussion about using short character combinations to type longer phrases on an iPhone.
More Information on How to Use Text Replacements on iPhone 13
Once you create one of these text message shortcuts on your Apple smartphone you will simply need to type the shortcut that you created, followed by a space, and your iPhone will perform the replacement.
It’s best to use letter combinations that you don’t type a lot, and I have found it less problematic to avoid using actual words, since you may actually type them at some point.
If you find that a text replacement isn’t working, or that the phrase you chose isn’t a good one, then you can delete a text replacement on your iPhone.
To get rid of a text message shortcut on your iPhone 13 you need to go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement > the swipe left on the text replacement and choose Delete.
A common prank is for someone to get a hold of your phone and create a text replacement for a common word. If you notice that you are typing a word or phrase but it’s being replaced by something that doesn’t make sense, then there is a good chance that someone created a joke text replacement on your phone.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing technology how-to articles and tutorials for over a decade. He has extensive experience in information technology both in small business and as a consultant.
His articles have appeared on dozens of websites and been read millions of times.
He covers many different topics concerning technology, but focuses primarily on smartphones, consumer software, and consumer electronics.
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