iOS Lesson 10.1: Using an External Keyboard

VoiceOver with an External Keyboard

Editing text on an iOS device with the VoiceOver screen reader is a complex blend of knowing what you want to write and moving effectively through text.

Writing clearly requires a thorough understanding of how to move through text by paragraph, sentence, and word, and by individual letter.

If you use an Apple external keyboard with your device, you can use these keyboard shortcuts to activate VoiceOver commands. Results could vary with other keyboard brands.

As an example, let's try out VoiceOver Help, a feature that allows you to explore the keyboard layout and the actions associated with the various keys without performing the associated actions. The key command to begin VoiceOver Help is VO + K, use it now and then try pressing the keys and key commands to hear their functions. When you are done, press ESCAPE or touch and click the Done button in the top right corner of the screen.

I hope you explored the keyboard with VoiceOver Help, remember it when you are searching for a key.

Using VoiceOver with an External Keyboard

I assume that you already know how to control and navigate your device using VoiceOver gestures. If this is not the case, you should complete the basic VoiceOver for iOS course first if you can, because it is more complete and contains details that this page might not. The link the iOS Course Lesson List is above.

I also assume that you have an external keyboard connected to your device.

The only difference between this navigation method and others, is the way the command is given. Whether you use gestures, keyboard commands, or braille display commands everything else remains the same.

VoiceOver Keyboard Settings: Let's get VoiceOver set up

These settings can be changed at Settings/Accessibility/VoiceOver/Typing/Modifier Keys.

Choose the VoiceOver Modifier

A modifier is a key or set of keys you press with one or more other keys to enter commands.

The modifier keys for VoiceOver, called the VO Keys in this document, can be changed between the Caps Lock key, or the Control and Option keys pressed at the same time.

Change typing assistance options for an external keyboard

You can change options for auto-correction, smart punctuation, and more.

Go to Settings/General/Keyboard/Hardware Keyboard, then do any of the following:

Turn Auto-Capitalization on or off: When this option is selected, an app supporting this feature capitalizes proper nouns and the first words in sentences as you type.

Turn Auto-Correction on or off: When this option is selected, an app supporting this feature corrects the spelling as you type.

Turn "." Shortcut on or off: When this option is selected, double-tapping the space bar inserts a period followed by a space.

Change typing assistance options for all keyboards

You can turn on or off special typing features such as predictive text and smart punctuation that assist you when you type. These settings apply to your onscreen keyboard and external keyboard.

Go to Settings/General, then tap Keyboard.

In the list below All Keyboards, turn typing features on or off.

For several options, including auto-correction and auto-capitalization, you can specify different settings for your external keyboard in Settings/General/Keyboard/Hardware Keyboard.

The VoiceOver Keyboard Command List

The VO modifier is used in the tables below, use the modifier you chose (CTL + Opt, or the Caps Lock key).