The Ultimate Guide to iPad Keyboard Shortcuts: Boost Your Productivity!

iPad keyboard shortcuts are a powerful tool that can help you navigate your device more efficiently and boost your productivity. By using keyboard shortcuts, you can save time and effort when performing common tasks such as text editing, navigation, and media playback.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various iPad keyboard shortcuts available, organized by category. We will cover the basics of accessing and using keyboard shortcuts on your iPad, as well as customization options to suit your needs.

Whether you're a student, professional, or casual user, this guide will help you unlock the full potential of your iPad keyboard and take your productivity to the next level. So, let's get started!

Quick links:
iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Navigation
iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Text Editing
iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Accessibility
iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Media
iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Productivity
iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Safari and Web Browsing
Best Practices for Memorizing and Using Keyboard Shortcuts

 

Getting Started with iPad Keyboard Shortcuts

Using keyboard shortcuts on your iPad can seem intimidating at first, but it's actually quite simple. Here's how to access and use the iPad keyboard shortcuts:

  1. Open an app that supports keyboard shortcuts. Most apps on the iPad support keyboard shortcuts, including Safari, Mail, Pages, and more.

  2. Tap on the text field or area where you want to enter text.

  3. Place your cursor in the text field, and then press and hold the Command key on your keyboard. This will display a list of available keyboard shortcuts for the app you're using.

  4. Tap on the shortcut you want to use. The action associated with that shortcut will be performed.

In addition to using the built-in keyboard shortcuts, you can also customize your keyboard shortcuts to suit your needs. Here's how to do it:

  1. Go to Settings on your iPad and tap on General.

  2. Tap on Keyboard and then tap on Shortcuts.

  3. Tap on the "+" sign in the upper right corner to create a new shortcut.

  4. In the Phrase field, enter the text or phrase you want to associate with the shortcut.

  5. In the Shortcut field, enter the shortcut you want to use to trigger the text or phrase you entered.

  6. Tap on Save to save your new shortcut.

With these simple steps, you can access and customize your iPad keyboard shortcuts to improve your productivity and streamline your workflow.

 

Navigation is an essential part of using your iPad, and keyboard shortcuts can make it easier and faster. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for navigating your iPad:

  1. Navigating between apps and windows:
  • Command + Tab: Switch between open apps
  • Command + Shift + 3: Take a screenshot of the entire screen
  • Command + Shift + 4: Take a screenshot of a selected area
  1. Navigating within apps and documents:
  • Command + F: Find text within a document or webpage
  • Command + G: Find the next instance of the selected text
  • Command + Shift + G: Find the previous instance of the selected text
  • Command + A: Select all text or items within an app
  • Command + X: Cut the selected text or item
  • Command + C: Copy the selected text or item
  • Command + V: Paste the selected text or item
  • Command + Z: Undo the last action
  • Command + Shift + Z: Redo the last action
  • Command + H: Hide the current app
  • Command + M: Minimize the current window
  1. Using split view and slide over:
  • Command + N: Open a new window in split view
  • Command + Tab + Shift: Switch focus between split view windows
  • Command + Period (.) or Command + 5: Close the current split view window
  • Command + Period (.) or Command + 5: Dismiss the slide over window

iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Text Editing

Text editing is a crucial part of many workflows, and keyboard shortcuts can help you edit text more efficiently on your iPad. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for text editing:

  1. Selecting, copying, and pasting text:
  • Command + A: Select all text in the current document or text field
  • Command + X: Cut the selected text or item
  • Command + C: Copy the selected text or item
  • Command + V: Paste the selected text or item
  • Double-tap: Select a word
  • Triple-tap: Select a sentence
  • Quadruple-tap: Select a paragraph
  1. Undoing and redoing actions:
  • Command + Z: Undo the last action
  • Command + Shift + Z: Redo the last action
  1. Formatting text:
  • Command + B: Bold the selected text
  • Command + I: Italicize the selected text
  • Command + U: Underline the selected text
  • Command + T: Create a bulleted list
  • Command + Shift + T: Create a numbered list

iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Accessibility

Accessibility features on the iPad can help people with disabilities use the device more easily and efficiently. Keyboard shortcuts can make it easier to use these features. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for accessibility on the iPad:

  1. VoiceOver shortcuts:
  • Command + F5: Turn on or off VoiceOver
  • Command + Option + H: Navigate to the Home screen
  • Control + Option + H: Navigate to the App Switcher
  • Control + Option + Right Arrow: Navigate to the next item
  • Control + Option + Left Arrow: Navigate to the previous item
  • Control + Option + Up Arrow: Read the current item
  • Control + Option + Down Arrow: Stop reading the current item
  • Command + Option + X: Open the VoiceOver Help menu
  1. AssistiveTouch shortcuts:
  • Command + Option + H: Open the Home button menu
  • Command + Option + M: Open the device menu
  • Command + Option + S: Take a screenshot
  • Command + Option + L: Lock the screen
  1. Zoom and Display shortcuts:
  • Command + Option + 8: Turn on or off Zoom
  • Command + Option + Plus (+): Zoom in
  • Command + Option + Minus (-): Zoom out
  • Command + Option + F5: Turn on or off Invert Colors
  • Command + Option + Control + 8: Turn on or off High Contrast mode

iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Media

Media consumption is a major use case for many iPad users, and keyboard shortcuts can make it easier to control media playback, take screenshots, and more. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for media on the iPad:

  1. Playback and volume shortcuts:
  • Space bar: Play or pause media playback
  • Command + Right Arrow: Skip to the next track
  • Command + Left Arrow: Skip to the previous track
  • Command + Up Arrow: Increase the volume
  • Command + Down Arrow: Decrease the volume
  • M: Mute or unmute audio
  1. Camera and screenshot shortcuts:
  • Command + Shift + 3: Take a screenshot
  • Command + Shift + 4: Take a screenshot and select a portion of the screen to capture
  • Command + Shift + 5: Open the screenshot toolbar to capture or record the screen
  • Command + Option + 1: Switch to the front-facing camera
  • Command + Option + 2: Switch to the rear-facing camera
  1. AirPlay and AirDrop shortcuts:
  • Command + Shift + H: Open the Home app to control HomeKit devices
  • Command + Shift + A: Open the AirPlay menu to stream media to other devices
  • Command + Shift + R: Open the AirDrop menu to share files and media with nearby devices

iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Productivity

The iPad is a popular productivity device, and keyboard shortcuts can help you get things done more quickly and efficiently. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for productivity on the iPad:

  1. Spotlight search and Siri shortcuts:
  • Command + Space: Open Spotlight search
  • Command + Shift + A: Open the Siri app to ask a question or give a command
  • Command + Space (hold): Activate Siri without saying "Hey Siri"
  1. Calendar and reminders shortcuts:
  • Command + 1: Switch to the Day view in Calendar
  • Command + 2: Switch to the Week view in Calendar
  • Command + 3: Switch to the Month view in Calendar
  • Command + Option + N: Create a new event in Calendar
  • Command + Option + T: Create a new reminder in Reminders
  1. Email and messaging shortcuts:
  • Command + N: Create a new email message
  • Command + R: Reply to the selected email message
  • Command + Shift + D: Send the selected email message
  • Command + Shift + I: Mark the selected email message as read
  • Command + Shift + U: Mark the selected email message as unread
  • Command + Shift + J: Flag the selected email message

iPad Keyboard Shortcuts for Safari and Web Browsing

Safari is the default web browser on the iPad, and keyboard shortcuts can help you navigate and use it more efficiently. Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for Safari and web browsing on the iPad:

  1. Navigating and scrolling on web pages:
  • Space bar: Scroll down one screen
  • Shift + Space bar: Scroll up one screen
  • Command + Right Arrow: Scroll to the bottom of the page
  • Command + Left Arrow: Scroll to the top of the page
  • Command + Up Arrow: Scroll up one screen
  • Command + Down Arrow: Scroll down one screen
  1. Searching and bookmarking websites:
  • Command + F: Search for text on the current web page
  • Command + L: Select the URL bar to enter a new web address or search term
  • Command + D: Bookmark the current web page
  • Command + Shift + D: Add the current web page to your reading list
  1. Saving and sharing web content:
  • Command + S: Save a copy of the current web page as a PDF
  • Command + I: Show the web page information, including the site certificate and security settings
  • Command + Shift + I: Open the current web page in Private Browsing mode
  • Command + Shift + L: Email a link to the current web page
  • Command + Shift + J: Tweet a link to the current web page

Best Practices for Memorizing and Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts can be a great way to save time and be more productive on your iPad. However, it can be overwhelming to try to memorize a large number of shortcuts at once. Here are some tips for memorizing and using keyboard shortcuts effectively:

  1. Start with the most commonly used shortcuts: Instead of trying to learn every single shortcut at once, start with the ones that you'll use the most frequently. For example, if you use your iPad for writing, start by learning the shortcuts for copying and pasting text.

  2. Practice, practice, practice: The more you use a particular shortcut, the easier it will be to remember. Make an effort to use shortcuts instead of touch gestures or on-screen buttons whenever possible.

  3. Group shortcuts by function: Try to group shortcuts together by function or task. For example, you might group together all of the shortcuts for text editing, or all of the shortcuts for navigating between apps.

  4. Use mnemonic devices: To help you remember a particular shortcut, try coming up with a mnemonic device. For example, you might remember the shortcut for copying text (Command + C) by thinking of it as "C for copy."

  5. Keep a cheat sheet handy: While you're still learning keyboard shortcuts, it can be helpful to keep a cheat sheet or reference guide nearby. You might create a list of shortcuts that you use frequently and keep it next to your iPad.

Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to get more done on your iPad, especially if you're using it for productivity or web browsing. By memorizing and using these shortcuts, you can save time and be more efficient in your work.

It's important to note that not all apps and programs on the iPad support keyboard shortcuts, and some apps may have their own unique set of shortcuts. To see a list of keyboard shortcuts for a particular app, check the app's documentation or help files.

In addition, you may want to customize your keyboard shortcuts to suit your needs. To do this, go to the Settings app on your iPad, then tap General > Keyboard > Shortcuts. From here, you can create your own custom shortcuts for frequently-used phrases or words.

Overall, keyboard shortcuts are a powerful tool for iPad users, and they're worth taking the time to learn and master. By incorporating these shortcuts into your daily routine, you can streamline your work and increase your productivity on your iPad.

Back to blog

Collections

View all