Introduction
For a long time, the keyboards on iPhone and iPads always showed uppercase letters. However, in roughly 2015 the keyboard letters were switched to display in either lowercase or uppercase, matching what you were typing. Thankfully, whether you just like the way things used to be or always showing uppercase letters on the keyboard is your preference, you can easily change the keyboard to always show uppercase letters.
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Steps to Show Uppercase Letters on iPhone or iPad Keyboard
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad. You’ll land on your Settings screen.
- Scroll down and then tap “Accessibility” in this menu.
- Navigate to the Physical and Motor section, and then tap “Keyboards” in this section. The Keyboards screen is shown.
- Find the Software Keyboards section, and then tap to toggle off “Show Lowercase Keys.” Going forward your iPhone or iPad keyboard will only display uppercase letters, regardless. As a reminder, you’ll still need to use the uppercase button on the keyboard to type capital letters, but the keys will always show as uppercase.
5 Reasons Apple Stopped Using Uppercase Letters on iPhone and iPad Keyboards
1. Enhanced User Experience
Apple prioritizes user experience, and this change aligns perfectly with that philosophy. By displaying all lowercase letters, the keyboard looks cleaner and less cluttered. This uniformity helps users identify keys quicker. It reduces visual noise, making typing more intuitive. Studies suggest that lowercase letters are often easier to read than uppercase. Therefore, this change could potentially speed up typing and reduce errors, benefiting everyone from casual users to fast-paced professionals.
2. Aesthetic Consistency
The shift to lowercase letters maintains aesthetic consistency across Apple’s software environments. Apple’s design philosophy embraces minimalism and uniformity. Lowercase letters on the keyboard mirror the simplicity seen in other Apple interfaces. This consistency in design extends beyond just the visuals; it helps in creating a seamless interaction pattern. Users feel more at home across different Apple devices, as the learning curve flattens with consistent design cues.
3. Reflects Actual Typing Habits
Lowercase letters are more frequently used in writing than uppercase letters. By having the keyboard default to lowercase, Apple mirrors how people actually type. This approach aligns the keyboard closer to practical usage. When users type, they predominantly use lowercase letters, switching to uppercase for the start of sentences or proper nouns. This change, therefore, reduces the cognitive load by presenting a more familiar, everyday scenario on the keyboard.
4. User Feedback and Research
Apple heavily invests in user feedback and research to guide its design decisions. The transition to lowercase keyboards likely followed extensive user testing that indicated a preference for this style. Feedback from these sessions probably showed that a lowercase layout reduces confusion. It possibly also enhances typing speed, as users do not have to adjust their perception between different letter cases while typing.
5. Competitive Differentiation
In a market crowded with similar technologies, distinctive design choices help products stand out. Apple’s lowercase keyboard sets its devices apart from competitors. This uniqueness could be a subtle yet effective marketing tool. It reinforces Apple’s image as a trendsetter in the tech world. Competitors often follow Apple’s lead, so this move might set new standards for keyboard designs in smartphones and tablets, emphasizing innovation and user-focused design.