How to use the one-handed keyboard on an iPhone
2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
On the keyboard, touch and hold the emoji or globe key and tap one of the keyboard layouts to move the keys to the left or right side. Or open Settings, General, Keyboard, One-Handed Keyboard and choose Left or Right. To centre the keyboard again, tap the right or left edge of the keyboard.
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)
- App
- Settings
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
On a large iPhone, the far side of the keyboard is hard to reach with one thumb. The one-handed keyboard moves the keys closer to your thumb, to the left or to the right side of the screen.
The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.
Step by step
Open Settings and tap General
General is the first row of the first group in the main Settings list.
Tap Keyboard
It is in the second group of the General page, below Fonts.
Tap One-Handed Keyboard
It is in the second group of the Keyboard page. In the picture it says Off.
Tap Left or Right
Choose the side of the hand you type with. The note below says you can quickly access these settings by pressing and holding the Emoji or Globe key on the keyboard.
Good to know
The quick way while typing: touch and hold the emoji or globe key, then tap one of the keyboard layouts.
To centre the keyboard again, tap the right or left edge of the keyboard.
In short: Hold the emoji or globe key and tap a layout. Or: Settings, General, Keyboard, One-Handed Keyboard.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.