TechTipADay

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How to use a big phone with one hand

Big phones are hard to use on the bus. iPhone and Android both have built-in ways to pull the screen down or shrink the keyboard toward your thumb.

  1. How to turn on one-handed mode on Android

    On a Pixel, go to Settings > System > Gestures > One-handed mode and turn it on. Then swipe down near the bottom edge, and the screen drops within reach.

    Use it when: The top of a tall phone moves into reach for a moment, then goes back.

    Android · Easy · 1 min · Full steps

  2. How to reach the top of the iPhone screen with one hand

    Turn on Reachability in Settings > Accessibility > Touch. Then swipe down on the bar at the bottom of the screen, and the top half drops within reach of your thumb.

    Use it when: The status icons and the back button stop being a two-hand stretch.

    iPhone · Easy · 1 min · Full steps

  3. How to turn on the one-handed keyboard on iPhone

    Touch and hold the globe or emoji key and pick the left or right keyboard icon. The same option is in Settings > General > Keyboard > One-Handed Keyboard.

    Use it when: A large phone becomes typeable with the thumb you are actually holding it with.

    iPhone · Easy · 1 min · Full steps

Questions people ask

Where is one-handed mode on Samsung?

Settings > Advanced features > One-handed mode.

How does Reachability work on an iPhone with a Home button?

Lightly double-tap the Home button. A double press opens the app switcher instead.

How do I get the full keyboard back?

Tap the arrow on the empty side of the keyboard.

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