You can select all your typed text by tapping thrice on iOS

If all I know is that I don’t know anything, that means I actually know loads.

Let me illustrate. I’ve been on iOS since the iPhone 4, meaning I’ve been using Apple’s mobile devices for around 12 years. On top of that, I’ve been covering and analyzing the company as part of my actual job for a long old while.

Yet, I was today years old when I realized that you can select all your text while typing by tapping your iPhone screen three times.

Truly, the breadth of my lack of knowledge is breathtaking.

This is me tapping the input section to select all the text on iOS. BOW BEFORE IT.

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I’m not entirely sure what else to tell you here. All you need to do is triple tap on the section you’re typing in and the text will be magically selected.

The only caveat is the shortcut won’t select all the text, instead it’ll highlight the paragraph you’re on. But, let’s be honest, who genuinely sends multi-paragraph messages?

(Note: if this is the sort of person you are, I have the contact details of a very good and non-judgemental therapist).

While this hole in my knowledge rocked me (and maybe you) to the core, I’ve found there are two main ways one generally reacts to situations like these.

The first is defensive. This is where you tell yourself that it’s fine, that you’d never use this shortcut anyway, and the only reason you didn’t know it is because you don’t care.

And then there’s the second (and correct) way: accepting it with open joyfulness.

If you go through life believing that you know anything about even the things you’ve spent years studying, you’re bound to become resentful and bitter. Instead, find glee in discovery.

So, friends, if you didn’t know this tip, go forth and triple tap on text in iOS. Select it, select it all, leave no word un-highlighted, for you are now the master of formatting.

And if you’d like some more computing tricks you may have missed? Then go and check out our Basics page.

We’re all just fumbling through life, and the sooner you accept that, the happier you’ll be. So yeah, triple tap on the text input, pals.

Story by Callum Booth

Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting (show all) Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC. Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too. Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.