Adding swipe functionality to the iPad keyboard can greatly enhance the typing experience and make it more efficient. The swipe feature allows users to simply glide their finger across the keyboard to form words, instead of tapping on individual keys. This can save time, reduce typing errors, and improve productivity. In this blog post, we will explore different methods to enable swipe on the iPad keyboard and discuss their pros and cons.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To add swipe functionality to the iPad keyboard, you will need an iPad device with iOS 13 or later installed. Swipe typing is a built-in feature on iOS, so you won’t need to download any additional apps or software.
What Requires Your Focus?
When enabling swipe on the iPad keyboard, there are a few areas that require your attention:
1. Accessibility Settings: Swipe typing can be enabled through the Accessibility settings on your iPad. You will need to locate the specific toggle to activate the feature.
2. Practice: Like any new typing method, swipe typing may take some time to get used to. It requires a different finger movement compared to tapping on keys individually. Practice and patience are key to mastering swipe typing on the iPad.
Now, let’s dive into the methods to enable swipe on the iPad keyboard.
Method 1. Using Keyboard Settings
Swipe typing can be enabled through the Keyboard settings on your iPad. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap on "General."
3. Tap on "Keyboard."
4. Locate the "Slide to Type" toggle and enable it by tapping on it.
5. Once enabled, go back to any app where you can access the keyboard and try swiping across the keys to form words. The iPad should now recognize your swipes and convert them into text.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Adds swipe functionality directly to the native iPad keyboard. | 1. Limited customization options compared to third-party keyboard apps. |
| 2. No need to download any additional apps or software. | 2. Only available on iOS 13 or later. |
| 3. Seamless integration with the iPad’s operating system. | 3. May take some time to get used to the swipe typing method. |
Method 2. Via Third-Party Keyboard Apps
Apart from the native keyboard settings, there are several third-party keyboard apps available on the App Store that offer swipe functionality. Here’s how you can add swipe with a third-party keyboard app:
1. Open the App Store on your iPad.
2. Search for "swipe keyboard" or any other related keywords.
3. Browse through the available options, read reviews, and choose a keyboard app that suits your preferences.
4. Tap on the "Get" or "Install" button next to the selected keyboard app.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to install and set up the keyboard app.
6. Once installed, go to the Settings app on your iPad.
7. Scroll down and tap on "General."
8. Tap on "Keyboard."
9. Tap on "Keyboards" and then "Add New Keyboard."
10. Locate the third-party keyboard you installed and tap on it to add it to your list of keyboards.
11. Go back to any app where you can access the keyboard and tap on the globe icon to switch to the new keyboard.
12. Try swiping across the keys to form words and experience the swipe functionality.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Wide selection of third-party keyboard apps to choose from. | 1. Some keyboard apps may require payment or offer in-app purchases. |
| 2. Increased customization options and features compared to the native keyboard. | 2. Installing a third-party keyboard app may require granting additional permissions. |
| 3. Can be used on older versions of iOS. | 3. May experience compatibility issues with certain apps. |
Method 3. Using Accessibility Settings
Swipe typing can also be enabled through the Accessibility settings on your iPad. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap on "Accessibility."
3. Tap on "Touch."
4. Tap on "AssistiveTouch."
5. Enable AssistiveTouch by toggling the switch to the on position.
6. Tap on "Pointing Devices."
7. Tap on "Create Custom Gesture."
8. On the screen, swipe your finger across the keyboard in the desired swipe motion.
9. Tap on "Save" to save the custom gesture.
10. Go back to any app where you can access the keyboard.
11. Tap on the AssistiveTouch floating button on the screen.
12. Tap on "Custom" and then select the custom gesture you created.
13. Now, swipe your finger across the keyboard and the iPad should recognize your swipes as text input.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Allows customization of the swipe motion for a more personalized experience. | 1. Requires creating a custom gesture, which can be time-consuming. |
| 2. Can be used on older versions of iOS. | 2. Limited to swipe typing only; may not offer other keyboard features. |
| 3. No need to download any third-party apps. | 3. May take some time to get used to the swipe gesture if it differs from native swipe methods. |
Method 4. Via Jailbreaking
Please note that jailbreaking your iPad may void your warranty and can cause potential security risks. Proceed with caution and understand the implications before attempting jailbreaking.
Jailbreaking your iPad provides you with more freedom and customizability. There are various jailbreak tweaks available on the Cydia or Sileo app stores that offer swipe functionality for the iPad keyboard. However, the process of jailbreaking and installing tweaks is beyond the scope of this blog post.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Allows for extensive customization options not available through official methods. | 1. Jailbreaking may void your warranty and expose your device to potential security risks. |
| 2. Access to a wide range of jailbreak tweaks and modifications. | 2. Requires technical knowledge and understanding of the jailbreaking process. |
| 3. Offers a more in-depth level of control over your iPad’s functionality. | 3. Updates to iOS may render the jailbreak and tweaks obsolete. |
Why Can’t I Enable Swipe on My iPad Keyboard?
There could be a few reasons why you may be unable to enable swipe on your iPad keyboard. Here are some potential issues and their fixes:
1. Compatibility: Ensure that your iPad is running iOS 13 or later. Swipe typing is not available on older iOS versions.
2. Accessibility Settings: If you cannot find the swipe toggle in the Keyboard settings, make sure to check the Accessibility settings. Swipe typing may be available through AssistiveTouch or another accessibility feature.
3. Third-Party Apps: If you are using a third-party keyboard app, verify that swipe functionality is supported by the specific app you have installed. Some apps may not offer swipe typing as a feature.
4. System Restrictions: In rare cases, certain system restrictions or device limitations may prevent the swipe functionality from being enabled. Check for any active restrictions or limitations in the Settings app and disable them if necessary.
Implications and Recommendations
Here are a few suggestions for optimizing your swipe typing experience on the iPad:
1. Practice Regularly: Like any new skill, swipe typing requires practice. Dedicate some time each day to practice swipe typing on your iPad to improve your accuracy and speed.
2. Experiment with Different Apps: Try using swipe typing in various apps, such as notes, emails, or messaging apps, to get a feel for its effectiveness in different contexts.
3. Customize Your Keyboard: If you are using a third-party keyboard app, explore the customization options available to personalize your keyboard layout and appearance to suit your preferences.
5 FAQs about Adding Swipe with iPad Keyboard
Q1: Can swipe typing be used in multiple languages?
A: Yes, swipe typing can be used in multiple languages. The iPad’s keyboard, as well as many third-party keyboard apps, support swipe typing for a wide range of languages.
Q2: Is swipe typing available on iPhone as well?
A: Yes, swipe typing is available on iPhone devices running iOS 13 or later. The same methods discussed in this blog post can be applied to enable swipe typing on the iPhone’s keyboard.
Q3: Can I switch between swipe typing and traditional tapping on the keyboard?
A: Yes, you can easily switch between swipe typing and traditional tapping on the keyboard. Simply glide your finger across the keys for swipe typing, or tap on the keys individually for traditional typing.
Q4: Does swipe typing work with external Bluetooth keyboards?
A: No, swipe typing is a feature specific to the iPad’s on-screen keyboard. It does not currently work with external Bluetooth keyboards.
Q5: Can I disable swipe typing if I don’t like it?
A: Yes, swipe typing can be disabled by reversing the steps mentioned in each method. Simply toggle off the swipe functionality in the Keyboard settings or remove the third-party keyboard app if you installed one.
Final Words
Adding swipe functionality to the iPad keyboard can greatly enhance your typing experience and make it more efficient. Whether you prefer using the native keyboard settings, third-party apps, or even jailbreaking, there are multiple methods available to enable swipe on the iPad. Practice and patience are key to mastering swipe typing, so don’t be discouraged if it feels challenging at first. Explore the various options, customize your keyboard, and enjoy the convenience of swipe typing on your iPad.