Typing is an essential part of using our iPhones. Without the ability to type, we would not be able to message our friends and family, surf the internet, or even take quick notes on our phones. With the iPhone launching the new QuickPath function, we will change how we type on our screens. While Android implemented this sliding function a while back, the iPhone only rolled it out with iOS 13. Though it may not be suitable for all users, learning to use the new QuickPath feature on iPhone could help you type faster.

How to use the new QuickPath feature on your iPhone

Check if your iPhone is compatible with QuickPath

Since the feature is only available on iOS 13 and above, you must ensure that your device runs on compatible software.

1. From the Home screen of your iPhone, click on Settings.
2. Scroll down until you find General. It has a gear as its icon. Select that option.
3. Click on About under General settings.
4. You will see the Software Version on the page you are directed to.
5. If you are running iOS version 12 and below, you may update your software by clicking on the blue button on the top left to return to General settings—select Software Update. Then, click on Download and Install to update your iPhone software.

Enabling the QuickPath feature on your iPhone

1. Pull up your iPhone keyboard from any part of your phone.
2. Press and hold down on the globe icon to the right of the microphone icon. It should be located towards the bottom left of your screen.
3. When the menu pops up, slide up and select Keyboard Settings. This will direct you to the keyboard under General Settings in the Settings application.
4. Look for the Slide to Type option. This is the new QuickPath feature. Toggle the switch beside it to enable the function.
5. If you want to delete a whole word, if there is a mistake while using the function, toggle the switch to enable "Delete undoes slide" or "Delete Slide-to-Type by Word."

Using the QuickPath feature on your iPhone

1. Open any app that will pull up the iPhone keyboard. We recommend using Notes because you will not accidentally send a message while trying out this feature.
2. In a new note, type a word by sliding across the alphabet to spell the word. It would be the same as typing normally. However, you do not press each alphabet individually. For example, if you would like to type the word "hello," you would press and hold on to the "h" key, then drag your finger across the "e," "l," "l," and "o" keys without lifting your finger.
3. QuickPath will automatically add spaces when typing a full sentence after you have lifted your finger. Therefore, you do not need to press the space button between each word in the sentence.
4. The QuickPath feature will automatically add double letters in words such as balloon.
5. If you have Autocorrect enabled on your device, you can undo the edit made by autocorrect by sliding three fingers to the left across your screen. Similarly, if you redo an edit made, you can slide three fingers to the right to redo a change.
6. If you want to capitalize a word, you may press the Shift key before sliding to spell the word or enable the shift key just like typing without QuickPath.

If you find that this feature is not for you, follow these steps to enable the QuickPath feature and untoggle it instead.