
Tired of typing the same phrases over and over? iOS has a secret weapon: Text Replacement. Unleash lightning-fast typing by creating custom shortcuts for your go-to words and phrases. Think of it as your own personal cheat code for communication. Ready to warp speed your texting? Here’s how to set it up on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Good to know : hosting a party? Learn how to create a cool event invite on your iPhone.
Create a Text Shortcut with Text Replacement on iPhone
Tired of typing the same phrases over and over again when you’re messaging your friends? Unleash the power of shortcuts! Imagine transforming those lengthy, repetitive expressions into lightning-fast abbreviations. It’s like having a secret code that saves you precious time and keeps your conversations flowing.
To set up your first shortcut, open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
Navigate toGeneral ->Keyboard.

Tap onText Replacement.

Out of the box, your device might already speak your language literally. I discovered a pre-set shortcut tailored for my native tongue, waiting to be unleashed. Peek into your language settings; you might be surprised what linguistic gems are already hidden within.
Anyway, to create a shortcut, tap on the+button in the top right corner.

Ready to ditch typing that same phrase over and over? In the “Phrase” field, unleash the words you want to command with a shortcut. Then, in the “Shortcut” field, assign it a secret code. Need inspiration? How about these power-ups for your first shortcut adventure:

Note : Shortcuts can’t contain spaces
- omw= On my way
- iirc= If I recall correctly
- afaik= As far as I know
- wyd= What are you doing
- asap= As soon as possible
Heads up! Double-check your abbreviations aren’t accidental words like “Ah” or “Wow.” Nothing’s worse than a phrase inserting itself unexpectedly!
Once you’re done, hit theSavebutton.
Unleash Text Replacement’s true power: it’s not just for shortening words! Prepare for some seriously clever abbreviation wizardry…
- shrug= ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (or any other emoji)
- @gm= your Google email address
- @ic= your iCloud email address
- com1= www.maketecheasier.com
- ##= your phone number
- cr= © (or any other special characters)
-
Gael= Gaël (or any other names or words that contain accents) Hbmail: A toast to you! To the radiant spirit, the unwavering strength, and the constellation of qualities that make you uniquely, wonderfully you. Happy Birthday (and whatever else you need to say in style).
-
Love= Luv (or any other word that might fall victim to autocorrect)
Using Text Shortcuts When Texting
Unlock a secret iPhone/iPad emoji trick! Next time you’re texting in Messages, WhatsApp, or Facebook, keep your eyes peeled. As you type, the magic happens. Punch in “shrug,” and watch the emoji prediction bar at the bottom of your screen – ¯_(ツ)_/¯ might just appear!

Forget typing! Just tap the suggestion andpoof, it’s in your message, ready to fly. In our experience, it’s slick, seamless, and setting it up is easier than making toast.
Tip : here’s how to schedule sending a text message on iPhone.
Remove a Text Shortcut on iPhone
“Time to declutter your shortcuts? No problem! Simply dive back intoGeneral >Keyboard >Text Replacementand Marie Kondo your way to a cleaner text experience.”
Tap theEditbutton at the bottom.

Tap on the “–” button next to the shortcut you want to remove.

ADeletebutton will show up on the right. Tap it.

If you want to abandon deleting the shortcut, swipe to the right.
Create a Text Shortcut with Text Replacement on Mac
On macOS, click the Apple logo in the upper left corner. SelectSystem Settings.

In the new window, go toKeyboard ->Text Replacement.

Click the+button to create a new shortcut.

Unleash lightning-fast typing! In the “Replace” box, whisper your secret shortcut. In the “With” box, shout its full meaning. Click “Add” and watch words materialize with a single tap.

Finally, pressDoneto start using the shortcut.
Note that not all apps on macOS support Text Replacement.
Remove a Text Shortcut on Mac
Access Text Replacement settings again, click the entry you wish to remove, and press the–button.

That’s it, the shortcut will be removed from the list.
Unlock your iPhone’s hidden superpowers! Discover how to transform WhatsApp into a document scanner. Hungry for more? Master the art of recording and transcribing calls directly on your iPhone.
Thanks for reading How to Use Text Replacement on iPhone iPad or Mac and Text Faster