Developer Steve Troughton-Smith has uncovered a one-handed keyboard code by hacking the iOS Simulator, also discovering that the code for the feature has "been there since at least iOS 8." The one-handed keyboard mode works by letting users left-swipe or right-swipe from the edges of the iOS keyboard to pull the keys towards their dominant hand, making it easier to type with just one hand.

Taking up the extra space on the side of the keyboard are designated cut, copy, and paste controls, with the rest of the keyboard's buttons gaining a smaller width to accommodate the one-handed mode. Discovered to be dormant since iOS 8, without an official beta or public launch, the feature's original code ties into the launch of Apple's size-bumped 4.7-inch iPhone 6 and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.

one-handed-ios-keyboard

It appears that the company was working on ways to help users type on the new, bigger iPhones, but it remains unclear why the one-handed keyboard never made it to an official release on iOS. In lieu of the mode, Apple introduced "Reachability" for iPhone 6 Plus users, which lets them double-tap on the Home button (without impressing it) to pull down the entire screen and reach pieces of the UI otherwise out of the reach of their thumb.

Troughton-Smith noted in a few tweets that the keyboard could potentially be hacked on an actual iPhone like he did with the iOS Simulator, but the device would need to be jailbroken to do so. The developer gave some context regarding the code of such a jailbreak tweak, as well as a video of the one-handed keyboard in action.

Reachability is an answer to vertical problems when using the Plus-sized iPhones with one hand, but it leaves horizontal, one-handed typing issues unsolved in iOS keyboards. Apple could debut the one-handed keyboard in a future version of iOS, potentially next year's iOS 11, but since the code for the feature has remained dormant for so long already, it's impossible to tell.

Related Forum: iOS 10

Top Rated Comments

jerry16 Avatar
97 months ago
Why in the world wouldn't Apple implement this? A feature that would be incredibly useful?! Almost forgot, this is the same company that can't be bothered to put a stock calculator app on any iPad after all these years.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
neuropsychguy Avatar
97 months ago
For when your other hand is... umm... "busy" ;-)
So you're one of the people out there texting and driving...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jerry16 Avatar
97 months ago
You mean the same calculator app that everyone would complain they can't delete or hide? Apple does a lot of things we don't ever see and sometimes we get to see them. That doesn't mean you understand what their plan was or that you get to complain about something that isn't even there.
Everyone would complain? Doubt it - my guess is more would find it useful rather than a nuisance. Furthermore, with iOS 10 the calculator app is able to be deleted - so moot point.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wigby Avatar
97 months ago
Why in the world wouldn't Apple implement this? A feature that would be incredibly useful?! Almost forgot, this is the same company that can't be bothered to put a stock calculator app on any iPad after all these years.
You mean the same calculator app that everyone would complain they can't delete or hide? Apple does a lot of things we don't ever see and sometimes we get to see them. That doesn't mean you understand what their plan was or that you get to complain about something that isn't even there.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
profets Avatar
97 months ago
Would love this for one handed typing on the Plus size iPhone.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ViP3l2 Avatar
97 months ago
which lets them double-tap on the Home button (without impressing it)
Wow, tapped it twice and still couldn't impress. Gotta step up your stroke game!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2 Perspective Gray

Five Key Upgrades Coming to iPhone 16

Friday March 15, 2024 1:45 pm PDT by
The iPhone is Apple's top-selling product, and it gets an update every year. In 2024, we're expecting the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro lineup, with an arguably more interesting feature set than we got with the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Capture Button All four iPhone 16 models are set to get a whole new button, which will be...
When To Expect New iPads Feature 1

Apple to Announce New iPads on March 26, Rumors Claim

Monday March 18, 2024 4:02 am PDT by
Apple is widely expected to release new iPad Air and OLED iPad Pro models in the next few weeks. According to new rumors coming out of Asia, the company will announce its new iPads on Tuesday, March 26. Chinese leaker Instant Digital on Weibo this morning 日发布%23">claimed that the date will see some sort of announcement from Apple related to new iPads, but stopped short of calling it an...
airpods 3 orange

Two New AirPods 4 Models Expected to Launch in September or October

Sunday March 17, 2024 7:56 am PDT by
Apple suppliers will begin production of two new fourth-generation AirPods models in May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Based on this production timeframe, he expects the headphones to be released in September or October. Gurman expects both fourth-generation AirPods models to feature a new design with better fit, improved sound quality, and an updated charging case with a USB-C...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Expected to Depreciate Heavily

Tuesday March 12, 2024 9:04 am PDT by
Resale value trends suggest the iPhone SE 4 may not hold its value as well as Apple's flagship models, according to SellCell. According to the report, Apple's iPhone SE models have historically depreciated much more rapidly than the company's more premium offerings. The third-generation iPhone SE, which launched in March 2022, experienced a significant drop in resale value, losing 42.6%...
M3 iPad Feature 3

New iPads Likely to Begin Shipping in April

Monday March 18, 2024 9:52 am PDT by
Apple's new iPad Pro models with OLED displays will likely begin shipping to customers in April, according to information shared today by Ross Young, CEO of display industry research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman also said the new iPad Pro models might not ship until "deeper" into April in his Power On newsletter on Sunday:I've repeatedly said that new...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

iOS 17.4.1 Update for iPhone is Imminent

Monday March 18, 2024 5:27 am PDT by
iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 should be released within the next few days, with a build number of 21E235, according to a source with a proven track record. MacRumors previously reported that Apple was internally testing iOS 17.4.1. As a minor update for the iPhone, it will likely address software bugs and/or security vulnerabilities. It is unclear if the update will include any other changes. ...
Reasons to Not Upgrade to macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Sonoma 14.4: Reasons Not to Update

Monday March 18, 2024 9:36 am PDT by
Since Apple unveiled macOS Sonoma 14.4 on March 7, the transition to the latest software update has not been entirely smooth for everyone, and a number of issues have been reported by users that significantly impact their daily workflow. This article lists the most prominent challenges users have faced since updating to macOS Sonoma 14.4, and offers potential solutions where available. USB...