Special character selection on ios26 keyboard

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Special character selection on ios26 keyboard

Hi there!

I have some issues with the new keyboard with the ios26 update. I know i can't change it back, and i've tried to google it but can't seem to find anything:

When i type, i am used to that the special characters, for example the : or ! Is activated by pressing longer on the button for the . Or 1

until now, pressing longer was enough , but now i have to swipe my finger upward to select the special character. I hate it! When i type without thinking, it looks something like this: Hello1 Would you like. Thisß oder thisß

i hope my issue is clear. What can i do to change it back? Or which alternative keyboard do you recommend?

thank you!

Posted on Mar 1, 2026 11:03 AM

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Answer 1

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LotusPilot

Level 10

303,914 points

Mar 1, 2026 12:37 PM in response to Monsteraardonis

When you touch-and-hold a key to expose the alternative/secondary characters, slide your finger to the character that you wish to select.

This functionality may become a little more obvious with some other keys - such as "e" - where you have many other alternatives from which to select:

For keys that have multiple alternative characters (such as the example "e"), you have always needed to slide to the chosen character. Arguably, the keyboard is now consistent in its behaviour across all keys for selection of alternative characters - regardless of having one or multiple alternatives.

For single character alternates, the downward flick remains available.

There are third-party keyboard Apps that provide alternative key layouts for iPad and iPhone. On of the more popular, well liked within these forums, is Typefinity. Here is a direct link to the Apple App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/typefinity/id1512009869

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Special character selection on ios26 keyboard

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