How do I forward delete (as opposed to backspace)?

Question

Level 1

20 points

How do I forward delete (as opposed to backspace)?

I really need to be able to delete the character in front of the cursor, not just the previous character (i.e. the character before the cursor. This is a very basic function of all other types of computers and phones.

I know you can move the cursor to the location where you want it, then backspace to delete, but when you have to do it a lot, it's time-consuming and cumbersome.

Is there a way to do with the iPhone and iPad? It would be a huge help to me. Is there a delete key (forward delete) on MacBook laptops now? If so I may return my iPad and get a MacBook...

Thanks!

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 10.2.1

Posted on Jan 25, 2017 9:55 AM

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Answer 1

Jan 26, 2017 5:24 AM in response to asha321

On Macs, holding the "fn" key while hitting "delete" produces forward delete. iPads and iPhones don't have this, unfortunately. I have read that some writing apps allow setup of custom key functions, which could give you this, but it is not native.

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Answer 2

asha321 Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 26, 2017 5:41 AM in response to franzkaiser

thanks for the feedback. I spoke with an apple representative before getting your response and they said the same thing. sigh. not the end of the world, but forward delete would have been really helpful.

fiy and for those wanting to try an app, I did try an app (Kb+), which worked. it was the only one that came up when I searched for forward delete, and it didn't have any ratings, which is always a flag for me. I even paid for it (think $1.99 or maybe was $0.99), but it was somewhat cumbersome, not worth it just for getting forward delete.

it had some other potentially useful features, but I was concerned with the notice from Apple as I was enabling the keyboard (see screenshot below) stating that the keyboard can capture all the data you type...though it says there are technical limitations to the developer's ability to access any of your data unless you click "allow full access." Still makes me too nervous to try it, so I deleted the app.

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Answer 3

CHStone

Level 1

4 points

Feb 3, 2017 4:43 AM in response to asha321

The lack of forward-delete (and arrow keys and PageUp/Down keys) is disastrous, and very nearly halted my transition from business Windows laptops to iOS iPads. The Apple Store Genius explained that apart from no mouse facility, the iOS developers deliberately exclude fwd-del from the key mapping - it is simply not programmable for Apple products or third party products.

However to my astonishment, my new iPad Pro 12.9" 256gb on iOS 10.2 pairs up with a bluetooth Wireless Apple Keyboard model A1314 bought in 2012, and fn+ <— works!

Yes, function-plus-backspace actually deletes forwards!! Yippee!

Two Further Points of Interest:

1. Bluetooth pairing is a pain. Today I realised that when making the keyboard's green light flash by putting it into Pairing Mode, you must keep your finger pressed on the keyboard's battery button while asking the iPad to pair. Only when you're given a code to type in may you release the keyboard button....

2. In th Store we tried connecting the new wired USB2 "Apple Keyboard with Numeric Keypad" to the iPad Pro via a 'Camera Connection Kit'. The iPad's power manager refused to supply power to the keyboard and so would not connect. Perhaps supplying USB power to the CCKit would have helped - the Apple staff were not prepared to try it out, and again argued that iOS is not designed to support the keyboard map of the extended wired keyboard. It might have worked today, but it is an unsupported feature and so might not work after tomorrow's overnight iOS update...

George

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Answer 4

netsirkc

Level 1

4 points

Feb 3, 2017 1:29 PM in response to asha321

It's possible if you change the key mapping. I understand the frustration. See above.

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