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hansonc Author

Level 1

33 points

iPhone 12 Max Pro 14.2 :: Touch Cursor

I apologise if this has been posted... in my Google search, I barely found this forum and little to no resolution...

I seemingly can no longer long hold on the keyboard to bring up and move the cursor to where I want in my ‘input text box’, this message included.

I have truly tried all keyboards, touch cursor, and 3D Touch options... what am I missing and why won’t my cursor even remotely appear/trigger?!

BTW :: I was forced to select “iPhone 11 Pro Max” as my device because iPhone 12 Pro Max (or any iPhobe 12) is an option in the menu.

iPhone 11 Pro Max

Posted on Nov 18, 2020 1:59 AM

Top-ranking reply

bmfnu1286

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Nov 29, 2020 3:49 PM

Hi hansonc,

I was having the exact same issue you are having ever since I upgraded to the new iPhone Pro Max 12. With my old iPhone, I could long-press on any part of the keyboard in order to be able to drop the cursor wherever I wanted with ease. However, I could not get it to work when I switched to the 12 Pro Max. However, I reviewed the “Tips” app on the phone and just figured out the solution.

Just long-press on the space bar to unlock the free cursor feature. You used to be able to long-press anywhere on the keyboard, but now it seems that (at least on the 12 Pro Max) you have to long-press specifically on the space bar for it to work.

I hope this helps and works for you!

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32 replies

Jun 26, 2021 2:24 PM in response to hansonc

Long hold space bar gets you a cursor sure but…. I used to be able to long hold then push to select and use the cursor to select text.

I’m super furious this has gone. Apple must all have big hands and long fingers. For me it’s very hard. Want to return this 12 pro and go back to my old one.

So miffed!

Jun 26, 2021 11:33 PM in response to Beckqwerty

On my iPhone 12 Pro cursor does come up where I touch the screen, except occasionally it will not move to a new spot easily when I touch on another spot on the screen. I usually have to tap on the screen several times with that new spot before it responds, or else put my finger where the cursor currently is and drag it to the new spot. I talked to AppleCare about this and also the less precise positioning of the cursor when you lift your finger, and he thought that the glass screen protector was reducing the accuracy or response, but that screen protectors were still worthwhile. He also thought when the her cursor didn't respond to touching a new position, it could be temporary freezing of the app.

Jul 1, 2021 1:39 AM in response to hansonc

Omg thank you so much. I just got my IPhone 12 Pro Max and was really frustrated that I couldn’t press on the keyboard anymore to move my cursor to specific places. Now that I see it’s the keyboard, I guess that seems more comfortable.

Jul 2, 2021 3:54 PM in response to hansonc

Thank you! It works now. I was starting to get frustrated trying to figure out how to turn the feature on. And I also agree with you. Apple should definitely bring it back to when hard pressing anywhere would allow me to use the cursor. I'm also more accustomed to the old feature and this will take forever to get used to. So Apple. Please. Thank you.

Jul 17, 2021 7:43 PM in response to harsh9vardhan

On my iPhone 12 Pro, sometimes the cursor will appear where you touch the screen, other times it will take several taps to get it to activate, which is annoying, or you can also go to where the cursor is resting, usually at the end of the the last sentence, and drag it to where you want it. Of course it also works from the space bar, but that is counterintuitive.

njjules

Level 1

4 points

Jan 10, 2021 1:57 PM in response to hansonc

In Messenger, my keyboard disappears, and I can’t get it back to finish a message. Does anyone have any magic tricks to make the keyboard reappear while typing in Messenger?

Irvin89

Level 1

4 points

Jan 22, 2021 4:05 AM in response to hansonc

Wow! Thanks for this!

Jan 26, 2021 7:18 PM in response to bmfnu1286

Thank you, thank you and thank you...this is so helpful. Long press space bar! Life saver!

Feb 1, 2021 9:46 PM in response to brenden dv

Does this solution work with third party keyboards like SwiftKey?

Feb 17, 2021 7:14 AM in response to hansonc

I actually just figured it out ... instead of pressing or long holding the keyboard to move the cursor ... go into the text itself and hold to move the cursor !