Is there any setting I can change on my iPad to prevent one tap from selecting an entire word?

After upgrading to iOS 17.0.3, tapping once in any kind of message (email, messages, this text box, etc.) now selects the entire word where you tapped. Previously, it would just drop the cursor at either the front or end of the word. It now takes me 3x longer to send any messages because I have to tap-and-hold to the appropriate spot anytime I want to edit or add something new, where before it was just tap and type. I send most emails and quick messages on my iPad because it has been easier than my laptop, but if it can’t be rectified, this will probably be my last iPad. Sounds like an insignificant change, I know, but it is absolutely killing my productivity. Please, does anyone know of any setting that can get this back to the way it was?


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iPad, iPadOS 17

Posted on Oct 17, 2023 5:26 PM

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Posted on Jun 3, 2024 3:57 AM

Toggle OFF the following if you want to avoid selecting words as you edit on iOS


General > keyboard > show predictions inline


(see bottom of the attached screenshot)

Now when I want to select a word, I need to double tap on it. But if I just tap on a word, the cursor goes either to the front or the back of it (as desired).



Someone else suggested that the slide-to-type feature was the source of the problem here, but this feature has nothing to do with selecting words while you're editing. (Rather, it's the feature that allows you to slide your fingers along the keyboard instead of lifting & tapping for each letter.)

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Is there any setting I can change on my iPad to prevent one tap from selecting an entire word?

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