The ‘select all’ function is gone!

Has anyone else noticed the ‘select all’ function has disappeared in many places now? I cannot tell if it’s iOS 13 or iPhone 11 related, as I obtained both simultaneously. But this seriously useful function is missing from:

-texts

-notes

-safari


’Select all’ has been removed from nearly every area expect email. I use this function OFTEN, so I am seriously missing it. Apple, can you look into this and let us know if it’ll be returned to us? Please!

iPhone 11, iOS 13

Posted on Oct 22, 2019 1:24 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 18, 2020 1:17 AM

I ran into the same issue and accidentally found the answer today.


iOS 13.3


The “Select All” function is still there. It’s just with 3D Touch and everything else it’s trickier to call out that function. When you press and hold (or quickly double-tap on) any word, it brings out the “Cut / Copy / etc” tool box. The “Select / Select All” box will only show up if you tap on the same location twice slowly (0.5s+ interval between the taps). See snapshots attached for details



Einstein once said “everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler”. I personally think Apple has gone too far with the multi-gesture thing — it has becoming overly complicated nowadays and I probably only utilize 5% of it. Most of the times it’s more like I unintentionally performed some sort of multi-gesture I wasn’t aware of and got confused on what it did


Strongly suggest that Apple allocates its time and resource to something more meaningful

Similar questions

13 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 18, 2020 1:17 AM in response to MeeClee

I ran into the same issue and accidentally found the answer today.


iOS 13.3


The “Select All” function is still there. It’s just with 3D Touch and everything else it’s trickier to call out that function. When you press and hold (or quickly double-tap on) any word, it brings out the “Cut / Copy / etc” tool box. The “Select / Select All” box will only show up if you tap on the same location twice slowly (0.5s+ interval between the taps). See snapshots attached for details



Einstein once said “everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler”. I personally think Apple has gone too far with the multi-gesture thing — it has becoming overly complicated nowadays and I probably only utilize 5% of it. Most of the times it’s more like I unintentionally performed some sort of multi-gesture I wasn’t aware of and got confused on what it did


Strongly suggest that Apple allocates its time and resource to something more meaningful

Dec 4, 2019 7:08 AM in response to MeeClee

It HAS disappeared in not all but many many situations. Especially in long texts that I try to hit “select all” and use the “speak” feature while I’m driving. AND it doesn’t work in a ton of other apps. Try to hit “select all” in this very box and see what happens! It’s not there! I wish I could attach a picture to this post to prove it to you.


I probably used to use this feature 20-25 times a day. I’ve tried everything. I’m not this iPhone newbie that can’t operate his phone. I know how to double tap and try different combinations of taps.


So now I find myself awkwardly trying to lasso or “select” big sections while simultaneously scrolling down which is very frustrating because it deselects many times and I have to start over not to mention all this is distracting and even dangerous in some circumstances. Please try it on other apps and on very long texts to experience for yourself.


Please fix.

Nov 26, 2019 12:22 PM in response to victorcabral

I just tried it with your reply and nope; still no ‘select all’ available. It’s also seldom available in notes and never available in texts.


This is ridiculous. It’s one of the most useful, basic functions of the iPhone. WHY would Apple take that away? I’m honestly thinking of switching phones. My friend’s Samsung has a whole slew of functions iPhone doesn’t have including ‘select all’ everywhere.


I am a writer. I use ‘select all’ all.the.time.

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The ‘select all’ function is gone!

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