So you’ve got an iPhone, and you know all about tapping on the screen, swiping up and down, pinching and pushing to zoom in and out – but do you know all of the different gestures that you can do on your iPhone? I reckon most people don’t, that’s why I’m going to share 20 useful iPhone gestures with you in this guide.
1. One finger Zoom in Maps
Step 1: Double-tap on the Maps screen and keep your finger or thumb pressed on the screen.
Step 2: Slide your finger up to zoom out, or down to zoom in, enabling easy one-handed use.
2. Swipe to go back in Settings
Step 1: Start the gesture by swiping from the very left edge of the screen.
Step 2: Use a quick flick motion, rather than a slow swipe, to ensure the action registers.
3. Multi Taps to select text
Double Tap: Tap twice on a word to select it.
Triple Tap: Tap three times on a passage to select the entire block of text.
4. Undo Gestures
Discover two methods to undo and redo actions on your iPhone, including typing errors, app movements, and deletions.
Shake to Undo:
- Shake your iPhone like a cocktail to prompt the undo option.
- Tap ‘Undo’ to reverse the recent action.
- Useful for text, moving apps, and deleting apps, but may look odd in public.
Three-Finger Swipe Gestures:
- Swipe left with three fingers to undo.
- Swipe right with three fingers to redo.
- A more discreet alternative for undoing and redoing text.
5. Swipe up from an App
Learn how to navigate and manage apps on an iPhone without a home button, including accessing the home screen, app carousel, and force closing apps.
Return to Home Screen:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen in any app.
- Note: This action does not close the app; it merely minimises it to the background.
Access App Carousel:
- Swipe up from the bottom and hold for a second.
- Swipe left or right to browse through open apps.
Force Close Apps:
- Swipe up on an app in the carousel to force close it.
- Caution: Avoid frequent force closing, as it can slow down the iPhone and drain the battery.
- Use this feature sparingly, only when necessary.
6. Drag and Drop
Master an alternative method to share photos via email or other apps using the drag and drop feature on your iPhone.
Initiate Drag and Drop:
- Tap and hold the photo until it lifts.
- Drag the photo with one finger.
Navigate to Destination App:
- Use another finger to swipe up from the bottom and exit the Photos app.
- Keep the photo held while navigating.
Drop into Desired App:
- Drag the photo onto the Mail app (or any other compatible app like Messages).
- Automatically creates a new email or message with the photo attached.
7. Tap and hold to go back in Safari
Learn a faster way to navigate to previous pages in Safari without repeatedly tapping the back button.
Long Press on Back Button:
- Tap and hold the back button in Safari.
- A list of previously visited pages will appear.
Select desired page:
- Choose the specific page you wish to return to from the list.
8. Swipe to move through pages
Simplify the process of moving apps across different pages on your iPhone’s home screen using a two-finger method.
Start Moving the App:
- Tap and hold the app you want to move.
- Begin dragging it on the screen.
Navigate Between Pages:
- Use another finger or your other hand to swipe to the desired page, while still holding the app.
- This ensures a smoother transition between pages.
Place the App:
- Release the app in the new location once you’ve reached the desired page.
9. Reachability
Activate the Reachability feature for easier one-handed use of your iPhone, especially useful for larger models.
Activate Reachability:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
- Toggle on ‘Reachability.’
Using Reachability:
- Flick down from the bottom section of the screen.
- Practice the flick motion and find the right starting point.
Access Top Screen Elements:
- Once activated, the screen content moves down.
- Tap the required buttons or options at the top.
- The screen returns to normal after the action.
10 – Swipe on screen to change the volume
Combine physical buttons and swipe controls for a more versatile way to adjust your iPhone’s volume.
Initial Volume Adjustment:
- Use the physical volume buttons on the left side of your iPhone to increase or decrease the volume.
- This action displays the volume bar on the screen.
Enhanced Swipe Control:
- Quickly swipe on the on-screen volume bar for finer adjustments.
- Act swiftly as the volume bar disappears after a short duration.
Mastery and Ease:
- With practice, this technique offers a quick and efficient way to precisely control volume levels.
11 – Swipe to change indents
Easily adjust text indents in certain iPhone applications using a simple swipe gesture.
Indenting Text:
- In a compatible app, swipe right on a text item or paragraph to increase its indent level.
- Ensure the app supports gesture-based formatting for this to work.
Note:
- This gesture is application-specific and may not be available in all text editing apps.
12 – Double Tap for Messages quick actions
Utilise double-tap gestures in the Messages app for fast access to message reactions and replies.
Double-Tap Function:
- Double-tap on a message to bring up quick response options.
- Choose either to react to the message or reply to it directly.
13 – Pinch and Push to Copy and Paste
Explore a unique gesture-based method for copying and pasting text on your iPhone, using a three-finger pinch and push motion.
Copy Text:
- With text selected, pinch inward on the screen with three fingers.
- This gesture copies the selected text to the clipboard.
Paste Text:
- Use a spreading (pushing outward) motion with three fingers on the screen to paste.
- The action pastes the copied text where the cursor is located.
14 – Swipe to select multiple items
Discover quick methods to select multiple emails in Mail and multiple photos in the Photos app on your iPhone.
Mail App Bulk Selection:
- After pressing “Edit,” swipe down across the selection circles to quickly select multiple emails.
- Alternatively, without pressing “Edit,” use two fingers to swipe down and select multiple emails simultaneously.
Photos App Selection Trick:
- Tap “Select” in the top right corner.
- Swipe across or diagonally over photos to select multiple images at once.
15 – Create Stacks
Learn how to group multiple images or files into a stack for easy transfer or sharing on your iPhone.
Start a Stack:
- Tap and hold the first item (image or file) and start dragging it.
- Keep this item held and active on the screen.
Add to the Stack:
- With another finger or hand, tap additional items to add them to your stack.
- A count will appear, showing the number of items in the stack.
Transfer the Stack:
- Navigate to a desired app (Files, Mail, Messages, etc.) while holding the stack.
- Drop the stack into the app to transfer all the grouped items at once.
16 – Use the Spacebar as a Trackpad
Enhance text editing on your iPhone with an effective method for moving the cursor precisely using the spacebar.
Activate Cursor Movement:
- Tap and hold on the spacebar in any text field.
- Your keyboard will turn into a trackpad.
Move Cursor Precisely:
- Slide your finger around while holding the spacebar to move the cursor.
- Position the cursor exactly where needed in the text.
17 – Use the Spacebar as a Trackpad
Explore a quicker method to switch between open tabs in Safari on your iPhone using simple swipe gestures.
Swipe to Switch Tabs:
- Swipe left or right at the bottom of the Safari screen, near the address bar.
- This gesture allows you to move seamlessly from one open tab to another.
Alternative to Tab Button:
- This method is a faster alternative to tapping the tabs button and selecting a different tab.
18 – Back Tap
Customise your iPhone experience by assigning shortcuts to double or triple taps on the back of the device using the Back Tap feature in Accessibility settings.
Access Back Tap Settings:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
- Scroll down to find ‘Back Tap’ and select it.
Configure Double or Triple Tap:
- Choose either ‘Double Tap’ or ‘Triple Tap’ to assign a function.
- Select from various options like Camera, Reachability, or Screenshot.
Assign and Use:
- For demonstration, choose ‘Screenshot’ for Double Tap.
- After setting, double-tap the back of your iPhone to take a screenshot.
Personalise Your Experience:
- Experiment with double and triple taps to find the most comfortable setting.
- Adjust based on sensitivity and personal preference.
19 – Tap and Hold for Contextual Menus
Uncover a range of quick-access functions across your iPhone using the long press (tap and hold) gesture, a simple yet powerful tool for enhancing usability.
Long Press on Home Screen Apps:
- Tap and hold an app icon to reveal quick actions like accessing inboxes in Mail or different modes in Camera.
In-App Long Press Functions:
- Use long press within apps for additional options, like changing camera formats or settings.
Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Tap and hold on keyboard characters for accents or special symbols (e.g., holding ‘0’ for the degree symbol).
- Access alternative keyboard layouts (like left or right-handed modes) by holding the emoji button.
20. Pull Scrollbar for more accurate scrolling
Enhance your reading experience in Safari on the iPhone by using the scrollbar for more accurate navigation through long articles.
Access the Scrollbar:
- Locate the scrollbar on the right side of the screen within a Safari article.
Controlled Scrolling:
- Tap and hold the scrollbar.
- Drag it up or down to smoothly navigate through the article.
Advantages:
- Offers a more precise and controlled scrolling experience compared to swiping.
- Particularly useful for lengthy content where standard swiping can be too fast or slow.
Get More Out of Your iPhone With iOS Gestures
Gestures simplify many iOS actions on the iPhone, as you’ve seen above. Once you master these iOS gestures and start incorporating them into your daily use, you’ll feel like a pro when getting around the iPhone.