Nimble fingers Type faster on your cell phone: this is how it works!

Some will remember - the keys on the old cell phones, now affectionately known as dumbphones, were assigned several characters so that some of the desired letters required multiple presses of the key, almost like Morse code. The word "hello" required no less than twelve clicks. And yet, with a little practice, it was still possible to achieve impressive typing speeds. For this article, we looked for ways to type even faster on modern smartphones.

The introduction of smartphones with their touchscreens has drastically changed text input. The physical keys have disappeared and have been replaced by virtual keyboards. These offer a variety of functions designed to make typing easier and faster.

So get ready, take a deep breath and loosen up your thumbs. Because here are our typing tips for you:

1. two thumbs and autocorrect is the fastest way to type

A study by ETH Zurich with over 37,000 participants has shown that the difference in typing speed on smartphones and physical keyboards is decreasing. Using autocorrect has a positive effect on typing speed, while suggested words tend to slow it down.

As part of the study, keystrokes were recorded in an online typing test. The fastest study participant managed 85 words per minute on the smartphone.

2. one-handed mode

You can also optimize your typing speed on your smartphone with one hand. One-handed mode moves the keyboard to the left or right side of the screen and one thumb is enough to comfortably operate all the keys.

On Android smartphones, you can find the option under Settings > "Advanced functions" > "Movements and gestures". On the iPhone under Settings > "Keyboard" > "One-handed keyboard" or via quick access if you press and hold the globe emoji at the bottom left of the open keyboard.

Such optimized settings for the keyboard are also available for tablets in most cases.

3. swipe instead of typing

If you simply can't get used to typing on the regular cell phone keyboard, you may be happy with an alternative keyboard app. A popular example would be "Swiftkey"(iOS/Android). This intelligent keyboard is constantly learning and adapts to your writing style, including your colloquial language, nicknames and emojis.

Amazingly, this app's artificial intelligence also recognizes words when you swipe from key to key instead of tapping each individual letter. This works amazingly well, even if you're not so precise with your keyboard.

4. brevity is the spice of life

With the help of shortcuts, you can write texts even more efficiently on your smartphone. Once set up, you can create words, groups of words or entire phrases by entering just a few words. For example, you type adw and your smartphone turns it into "On the way" etc.

On the iPhone, open Settings > "General" > "Keyboard " > scroll down and tap on "Add shortcut" and enter the word, phrase or group of words that you want to have written later using the shortcut.

On Android, you can find the option in "Language and input" in the "My dictionary " submenu - or directly via the keyboard if you tap on the gear icon in the top bar when the on-screen keyboard is open.

5. optimize your dictionary

Did you already know? You can also adapt and optimize your entire dictionary in the same way. Simply add words that you use frequently but are not suggested to you when typing.

If you find autocomplete rather annoying, you can also deactivate it completely in the menu just mentioned.

6. said, typed - the useful dictation function for lazy typists

If you still prefer to speak faster than you type: With the dictation function on the iPhone, wherever you can write text, you can also dictate the text. What's more, you can combine the two, as the keyboard is not hidden during dictation. You can therefore easily switch between entering text by voice and entering text manually.

To activate the dictation function, select "Settings" > "General" > "Keyboard" > "Activate dictation function". Use the cursor to select the place where you want to insert the text, tap the microphone icon and start dictating.

Similarly on Android, simply activate "Voice input with Assistant", then tap on the microphone icon in the open on-screen keyboard and speak the text.

Whether dictated or typed, care should of course always be taken when sending sensitive data such as credit card numbers, passwords, etc.

We hope you find our tips useful and that they will keep your keys moving fast in future. And who knows, maybe you'll set a new record soon?

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