Double-tap/triple-tap

Select a Word / Sentence on iPhone

iPhone · Text Editing Gestures
ActionSelect a Word / Sentence
ShortcutDouble-tap / triple-tap
PlatformiPhone
CategoryText Editing Gestures

About this shortcut

On iPhone, you can select a word / sentence with Double-tap / triple-tap. Double-tap selects a word; triple-tap selects a sentence or paragraph. It sits in the Text Editing Gestures group and is one of the iPhone shortcuts people look up most, so it is worth committing to memory — it works the same way across almost every app that follows standard iPhone conventions.

How to use it

1

Get ready

Open the app or screen where you want to select a word / sentence.

2

Press the keys

Press Double-tap / triple-tap.

3

Done

Double-tap selects a word; triple-tap selects a sentence or paragraph.

More Text Editing Gestures shortcuts

Move the Cursor Freely
Hold Space bar
Undo Typing
Three-finger swipe left
or  Shake to Undo
Redo Typing
Three-finger swipe right
Copy (Gesture)
Three-finger pinch in
Paste (Gesture)
Three-finger pinch out
Select All Text
Tap → Select All
Cut (Gesture)
Three-finger double pinch