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Eight Parts:General Swype ManeuversTyping a Word (Lowercase)Typing a Word Containing Repeated LettersTyping a Word that Isn't in the Dictionary YetType a Word with a Capital LetterSymbol-KeyingCharacters with Accent MarksOne-Lettered Words

Everyone knows that you have to tap letters to type on a smart phone. However, if you really want to speed up your work, with a few adjustments and a cheap app, iPhones can use a special keyboard that you can use, called Swype. Learn how to use this keyboard, by following the directions in this article.

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EditPart 1 of 8: General Swype Maneuvers

  1. 1
    Learn all the words that you'll need to spell. If you can't spell the word correctly, how can the iPhone device learn what you are trying to say correctly, in turn?
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  2. 2
    Use a solid motion when moving from one letter to the next. Do this when "writing" the word.
  3. 3
    Make sure that you've selected a box that will contain text. Otherwise, Swype won't work too well.
  4. 4
    Realize that Swype doesn't work when you are trying to type into a text-based password field. On an iPhone, the keyboard will switch to the standard keyboard that only allows you to tap letters one by one.
    • Swype stores, in its internal memory, your "conversation" of what it learns through your actions on screen. In addition, it recognizes that people don't want their passwords stored on the device, even if you told the device that it was okay to store your password.
  5. 5
    Realize that you may make corrections to the words as you Swype them to type. However, it's best if you don't make corrections too often.
  6. 6
    Download and activate the Swype keyboard.

EditPart 2 of 8: Typing a Word (Lowercase)

  1. 1
    Locate the first letter that you'd like to start the word with. Place your finger on the letter.
  2. 2
    Draw a straight line through all subsequent letters without stopping.
  3. 3
    Release your finger from the keyboard once the word is complete.

EditPart 3 of 8: Typing a Word Containing Repeated Letters

  1. 1
    Type up to and including the first half of the letter.
  2. 2
    Make a tiny loop on top of the same-lettered key that will become repetitive. However, don't let the loop lap overtop of any other letter on the keyboard. Keep the circle looped on one letter only.
  3. 3
    Continue the word by Swyping the rest of the word into the device.

EditPart 4 of 8: Typing a Word that Isn't in the Dictionary Yet

  1. 1
    Type the word, letter for letter, by using the same maneuver as if Swype hadn't been turned on initially.
  2. 2
    Look for the bar on the device that gives you suggestions of what it thinks you may have typed. It will say something like "Add (x word) to dictionary".
  3. 3
    Tap the word on the bar that best explains the word you tried to type. Review it letter for letter, before accepting the word.

EditPart 5 of 8: Type a Word with a Capital Letter

  1. 1
    Tap the Shift key in one single tap.
  2. 2
    Tap the first letter of the word.
  3. 3
    Continue from the first letter. Swype through the remainder of the letters as if you were typing the remainder of the Swyped word.

EditPart 6 of 8: Symbol-Keying

  1. 1
    Tap the "?123" button. Tap the "#+=" key if your symbol isn't in the list originally.
  2. 2
    Tap the symbol from the keyboard, when it appears.

EditPart 7 of 8: Characters with Accent Marks

  1. 1
    Locate and place your finger on the letter. You'll see dialog box pop up with other keys that can be accessed by using that key.
  2. 2
    Slide your finger to that choice of letter.

EditPart 8 of 8: One-Lettered Words

  1. 1
    Type the letter with the Swype keyboard.
  2. 2
    Slide your finger down to the Space bar.
  3. 3
    Tap the choice of the letter that best describes the letter you tried to type. Generally, the keyboard will do a good job at trying to decipher what you were going to say with this one-lettered word. However, in the mere case it messes up, correct its action and tap the right letter as if you were using the standard keyboard and let it auto-correct.
    • Allow the keyboard to auto-correct the word "I" if you intentionally misspell it (if you keep it lowercase, it'll fix your entry, and therefore you'll become a little faster on this keyboard).
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EditTips

  • Even though Swype can be a quick keyboard to master and key in words, allow yourself some ample extra time at first to correctly type the word and learn it's usage. It will traditionally take people awhile to get to master the use of this keyboard.
  • The Backspace key doesn't work the same way as the other keys do. Release your finger from the last letter, and hold the key down for a few extra seconds if you'd like to remove the complete last word, or tap as if you were tapping on the standard keyboard.
  • Although the Swype keyboard for iPhones use an orange line, with a few changes to its theme, you can also have it use a blue line instead. Be prepared to change the background color used when changing.
  • "Bounce" from letter to letter, if the same line could be drawn to the word. Watch your line as you try to spell out "pit" then try out "put". See how the same line comes very close. If you intentionally miss the complete key, you'll avoid the aggravation of seeing wrongly-typed words from Swype the first time.
  • There is no tutorial on the Swype for iPhone App, which is used to set up the keyboard (unlike it's Android counterpart). Get used to this explanation here and then try them out on your device. ex-Android device users will find no differences occurring except a few minor display differences which can be remedied.
  • It doesn't matter which finger you use to Swype from letter to letter, but try to consistently use the same finger for the sake of learning (especially at first) and until you become better accustomed to using this keyboard.
  • After you release your finger, the keyboard will automatically insert a space after the word. You shouldn't have to learn to place much (if any) use on the Space bar key itself.

EditWarnings

  • Make sure that the correct language version of the Swype keyboard is selected. Otherwise, you could be looking completely at the Swype keyboard misspelling every word of the sentence (even after you correctly wrote it and/or added it to the custom dictionary). If you only type words in English, try not to fiddle with the language settings on the device. The device will have its own key that designates the version of the keyboard that is currently selected.
    • You can edit the customized User dictionary later, but try not to make too many changes to the dictionary too often, in order to confusion to the keyboard and yourself.

EditRelated wikiHows

How to
Add a New Keyboard in iOS

How to
Get Swype

Article Info

Categories: Swype

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