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.
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Today's fun hack (been there since at least iOS 8); the iOS keyboard has an unused left/right one-handed mode. Activated by edge-swipe pic.twitter.com/zIk7x7CVmu — Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) October 19, 2016
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.
Top Rated Comments
For when your other hand is... umm... "busy" ;-)
So you're one of the people out there texting and driving...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.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.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!