iPhone & iPad Text Shortcuts

Here at The MacDoctor we are often asked for tips and tricks to get more out of iPhones, iPads and Apple computers. So we thought we start share some of the best tips and shortcuts that we use and hand out on a daily basis. And lets start with a killer feature built into every iPhone and iPad that speeds up text input of frequently used snippets and phrases.

iOS allows you to create and recall sections of text into any iOS application. And of course the most frequently used apps are Mail and Messages. How many times do you type the same information, phrases, details over and over? Well, no more. Not only is this feature a great way to cut down on tapping away at onscreen keyboards, but it is also a great way to set up and deploy multiple email signatures, something at present Apple haven't implemented in the Mail app and settings natively. So let's get started.

First you need to create a snippet of text you wish to re-use again and again, and then designate a shortcut to reproduce that snippet of text in different apps. Go to 'Settings' then 'General' then 'Keyboard' and scroll down to 'Shortcuts'. Creating your own shortcut is as simple as 'Add New Shortcut' entering or pasting a phrase or snippet of text and assigning a shortcut to reproduce the snippet in any app. For example 'Running late. Will call you when I arrive' could be triggered by 'RL'.

Sign-offs, email signatures, company information, directions, frequently used greetings and replies are great things to store as snippets with associated shortcuts. A real power tip you'll love using once you've set it up. Post a comment on the blog or let us know on twitter what uses you find for the feature.