Modern smartphones are large and sometimes hard to operate with one hand. Whether your other hand is full, you have a temporary injury, or you permanently use one hand, one-handed typing does not have to be frustrating. Both iPhone and Android offer special features that shrink the keyboard and move it to one side of the screen. In this article, we explain how to set up these features and make the most of them.

Why one-handed typing matters

There are many situations in which you need to operate your phone with one hand. Maybe you are holding a cup of coffee, you are standing on public transportation holding on to a pole, or you simply prefer to use your phone with one hand. For people with a motor impairment or an arm or hand injury, one-handed operation is not a luxury but a necessity.

The standard size of keyboards on modern phones makes it almost impossible to reach all the keys with the thumb of the same hand you are holding the phone with. One-handed keyboard modes solve this problem by shrinking the keyboard and shifting it to the left or right.

One-handed keyboard on iPhone

Apple has a built-in one-handed keyboard mode that you can activate quickly.

Turning on the one-handed keyboard

There are two ways to activate the one-handed keyboard:

Method 1: From the keyboard itself

  • Open an app where you can type so the keyboard appears
  • Press and hold the globe or emoji key
  • Below the available keyboards you will see three icons
  • Tap the left or right icon for the one-handed keyboard

Method 2: From Settings

  • Open the Settings app
  • Go to General
  • Tap Keyboard
  • Tap One-Handed Keyboard
  • Choose Left or Right

Switching back to normal

To go back to the full keyboard:

  • Tap the arrow next to the reduced keyboard
  • Or press and hold the globe key and choose the middle icon

Reachability for other features

In addition to the one-handed keyboard, iPhone also offers Reachability for other parts of the screen:

  • Go to Settings, then Accessibility
  • Tap Touch
  • Turn on Reachability
  • Now swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen to bring the top closer

One-handed keyboard on Android

Android devices offer similar options, depending on the type of keyboard you use.

Google Gboard one-handed mode

Gboard is the default keyboard on many Android devices:

  • Open an app so the keyboard appears
  • Tap the settings key (gear) or press and hold the comma key
  • Tap One-handed mode
  • The keyboard becomes smaller and shifts to one side

Moving the keyboard

  • Tap the arrow on the side to move the keyboard to the other side
  • Tap the expand icon to return to full width
  • Drag the keyboard to adjust its position

Samsung Keyboard one-handed mode

If you have a Samsung device with Samsung Keyboard:

  • Open the keyboard in an app
  • Tap the gear icon in the toolbar
  • Tap One-handed mode
  • Choose the side you prefer

One-handed mode for the whole screen (Samsung)

Samsung also offers a one-handed mode for the entire screen:

  • Go to Settings
  • Tap Advanced features
  • Tap One-handed mode
  • Turn on the feature
  • Choose whether you want to activate it with a gesture or a button

The whole screen shrinks so you can reach everything with one thumb.

Alternative typing methods

In addition to the one-handed keyboard, there are other ways to type more easily with one hand.

Swipe to type (Swipe)

Instead of tapping individual keys, you can swipe across the keyboard to form words:

  • Start at the first letter of the word
  • Without lifting your finger, swipe to each next letter
  • Lift your finger at the end of the word
  • The keyboard predicts the word based on your swipe pattern

This method is especially handy for one-handed typing because you do not have to tap precisely.

Voice dictation

Another option is to dictate text:

  • Tap the microphone icon on the keyboard
  • Speak the text you want to type
  • The text is converted automatically

Text prediction and autocorrect

Make the most of text prediction:

  • Look at the suggestions above the keyboard
  • Tap a suggestion to insert the whole word
  • This significantly reduces the number of keystrokes

Adjusting the keyboard for one-handed use

There are extra adjustments that make one-handed typing easier.

Adjusting the keyboard size

On some keyboards you can adjust the overall size:

  • Open the keyboard settings
  • Look for Keyboard size or Height
  • Make the keyboard bigger for easier tapping, or smaller for more reach

Key sounds and vibrations

Feedback helps you know whether you hit the right key:

  • Turn on key sounds or vibrations in the keyboard settings
  • This gives confirmation without you having to look at the screen

Key repeat rate

If you accidentally hold keys down:

  • Increase the delay before a key repeats
  • This prevents unintended repeats while typing with one hand

Apps for one-handed use

There are special apps designed for one-handed phone use:

One-handed keyboard apps

  • Microsoft SwiftKey: Excellent swipe feature and adjustable size
  • Fleksy: Compact keyboard with powerful autocorrect
  • Minuum: Extremely compact keyboard for maximum screen space

One-handed launcher apps

For Android, there are launchers that make the entire interface one-hand friendly:

  • Important apps and features within thumb reach
  • Shortcuts via swipe gestures
  • Customizable layout for your preferred hand

Tips for safer one-handed phone use

Using your phone with one hand also comes with risks. Here are tips to keep your phone safe:

  • Use a phone ring or grip: Reduces the chance of dropping your phone
  • PopSocket or similar: Gives you extra grip on the back
  • Wrist strap: Catches your phone if it slips out of your hand
  • Protective case: Protects against damage if you drop it

Conclusion

With the right settings and techniques, one-handed typing works well on both iPhone and Android. The built-in one-handed keyboard modes are a good start, but combine them with swipe typing, voice dictation and text prediction for the best experience. Take the time to try out different methods and discover what works best for your situation. With the right approach, a large phone does not have to be an obstacle to comfortable one-handed use.

Frequently asked questions

How do I quickly switch between the one-handed and normal keyboard?

On iPhone, press and hold the globe or emoji key and choose the keyboard you want. On Android with Gboard, tap the settings key and then One-handed mode. You can also tap the arrow next to the reduced keyboard to go back to full width.

Does swipe typing also work in the one-handed keyboard?

Yes, swipe typing works in one-handed keyboard mode too. The smaller size even makes it easier to swipe across all the letters with your thumb. Both Gboard and the standard iPhone keyboard support swipe typing in one-handed mode.

Can I adjust the position of the one-handed keyboard?

Yes, on most keyboards you can move the one-handed keyboard to the left or right. On some keyboards, such as Gboard, you can also adjust the exact position and size by dragging. This helps you find the perfect spot for your grip.

Which alternative keyboard is best for one-handed typing?

Microsoft SwiftKey and Gboard are often recommended for one-handed typing because of their excellent swipe feature and adjustable size. Fleksy is also popular because of its compact size and powerful autocorrect. Try different options to discover what suits you best.