The Hidden iOS Trackpad Makes It Easier to Type Accurately

The original iPhone keyboard is notorious for making a simple task extremely difficult: positioning your cursor exactly where you need it. The standard method is to press and hold your finger to summon a magnifying bubble, but even with this visual aid, placing the cursor in the right place can be difficult.

Fortunately, there is a much superior and little-known alternative to moving the cursor while typing in iOS, and the best part is that it works even if you’re using an older version of the software, like iOS 16. Stop fighting with your screen. Read on to find out how to unlock and use your iPhone’s hidden trackpad feature.

For more, be sure to check out how to fix your iPhone’s most annoying features and settings.

How to show the secret trackpad on an iPhone or iPad

Here’s how to discover the hidden trackpad on an iOS device.

1. Wherever you have written a block of text, bring up your keyboard and hold your finger on the space key until the keyboard becomes empty. You should feel a bit of haptic feedback and see the cursor expand for a second, meaning you can now use the keyboard as a trackpad.

2. With your finger still pressed, move it across the keyboard to move your cursor, just like you would on your Mac’s trackpad.

3. To place the cursor, simply remove your finger from the screen. You can then use any of the other keys, such as Delete, to make changes to the text. If you want to move the cursor again, press the space key with your finger to reveal the hidden trackpad.

If you want more iPhone tips and tricks, find out how to have a secret conversation in the Notes app. And if you own an Apple computer, here are 10 Mac hacks you should know.