The Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches on the market, thanks to its unrivaled app support, seamless iPhone integration, and accurate health and fitness tracking. But if you use any of the Apple Watch models, you’ll agree that with a full Qwerty keyboard, using the device’s top tools is even easier. So, how do you go about setting up a keyboard on your Apple Watch? First off, you’ll need to ensure that your device is eligible and that it is running the most recent watchOS. That’s not all, though. Fortunately, this article will go over the details to help you get started with typing faster.
Overview
- On WatchOS 8 and later, the keyboard is always active. To bring up the keyboard, tap a text field.
- Swipe up and select one of the keyboard language options if Scribble is active when you tap a text field.
- Download a third-party app like FlickType for older Apple Watches.
Requirements for Apple Watch Texting Keyboard
The Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8, or Ultra running watchOS 8 or later software is all that is required for the keyboard to function. Older Apple Watch models will require the use of a third-party app.
How to Access the Qwerty Keyboard
If you have an Apple Watch Series 7, Series 8, Series 9, Ultra, or Ultra 2 and the most recent watchOS, the Qwerty keyboard should work automatically.
- Check to see if your Apple Watch requires an update, and if not, do so.
- Tap New Message in the Messages app.
- Tap the Create Message box, then tap it again on the next screen.
- Tap or swipe to enter the text you want.
- Select Done.
If your watch does not update, make sure it is close by and connected to Wi-Fi. Your device may also need to be restarted.
How to Use the Full Keyboard on an Apple Watch
As mentioned earlier, the new Apple Watch texting keyboard makes typing on your watch a breeze. To use your keyboard, follow these steps:
- On your Apple Watch, go to Messages. This can be accomplished by tapping the Messages app in the App Library or by asking Siri to open the Messages app.
- Tap on an existing texting thread to open it, or tap New Message to start a new one.
- Select Create Message. You must select iMessage to respond to a text message.
- If you’re creating a new message, you’ll need to tap Create Message again.
- To write words, tap the letters individually. You can also use the swipe feature to write by gliding your finger over the letters rather than tapping each one individually. It functions the same way on the Apple Watch as it does on the iPad and iPhone.
- If you make a mistake, the correct spelling will be suggested below the word. Tap it to change the text to an emoji or to correct the spelling.
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- When you tap a word with a green square around it, you can use the Digital Crown to scroll between spelling variations and emojis associated with that word. Simply scroll to one and wait a second; it will be selected automatically. Because there is no undo button, you must select it again or erase and retype it to change it back.
- If you tap the text without first selecting a word, you can use the Digital Crown to move your “cursor” to a specific location to easily add or delete characters.
- If your text is longer, scrolling to the top row may cause the keyboard to disappear. Tap the keyboard icon to return to it.
- Along with the full keyboard, you can still use dictation and emoticons.
- If you make a mistake, you can correct it by pressing the backspace key on your keyboard.
- Tap the 123 button to change from letters to numbers.
- Tap #+= to type symbols unavailable on the number keyboard.
- Tap Done to see the entire message you’ve written in greater detail. If you want to make changes, tap the text, then tap it again, as in steps 2 and 3.
- Scroll down and tap Send to send the message.
- Tap Cancel to delete it. Please remember that you cannot save messages on your Apple Watch as drafts.
If you use a bumper to protect your Apple Watch, you may find it difficult to tap the letters and buttons along the display's edges. If you remove it, you should be able to type without difficulty.
How to Enable Keyboard on the Apple Watch Series 7
If you have an Apple Watch Series 7 and watchOS 8 or later, the Qwerty keyboard will work without changing any settings. If you accidentally turned it off, reconnect your Apple Watch to your iPhone and proceed with the steps below.
- Navigate to Settings on the paired iPhone.
- Choose General.
- Select Language and Region.
- Choose English (UK or USA) as the iPhone language.
After that, both your iPhone and Apple Watch will reboot. All supported applications will now display the Qwerty keyboard on your Series 7 watch. If this method does not produce results, try restarting. It will aid in the resolution of your issue.
How to Operate the New Qwerty Keyboard
Now that you’ve enabled the keyboard on your Apple Watch Series 7, here’s an example of how to text with it:
- On your Apple Watch, go to Messages.
- Select New Message.
- Choose Contact and then Create Message.
- Type your message, check for spelling errors, and use the Digital Crown to navigate.
- To hide the keyboard, tap the text.
- To continue typing, tap the keyboard icon.
- When finished, tap Done.
Best Alternatives for Apple Watch Series 6 and older keyboard
Here are the two best apps for typing on your Apple Watch Series 6 or older.
#1. FlickType
Before the Apple Watch Series 7, Flicktype was the go-to app. Why? Because of its algorithm, which corrects typos and allows users to type without fear of making errors. Another advantage of the app is gesture control.
In addition, FlickType is three times faster than a standard keyboard, Scribble, or even dictation. Users are not even denied emojis or text shortcuts. Another area where FlickType excels is customization.
#2. WristBoard
Have you ever fantasized about typing on your Apple Watch by swiping its screen? Who doesn’t, after all? And WristBoard makes this dream a reality. Please do not confuse this feature with Scribble, as swiping a keyboard is different from individually typing letters or words.
WristBoard supports QWERTY, AZERTY, and QWERTZ keyboard layouts. Prediction and auto-correction work flawlessly, ensuring that you don’t miss out on features and avoid typos.
How to Change Apple Watch Scribble to Keyboard
Swipe up and select one of the keyboard language options if Scribble is active when you tap a text field. Swipe up on the keyboard and tap one of the Scribble language options to return to Scribble.
Older Apple Watch models only support the Scribble feature, which lets you type text using your handwriting. However, an older Apple Watch can be outfitted with a keyboard.
How to Connect an Apple Watch to a Bluetooth Keyboard
You can also use your Apple Watch to connect to a Bluetooth keyboard.
- Set your keyboard to pairing mode.
- Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Keyboards on your Apple Watch.
- Scroll down to Devices and tap the keyboard.
Can you type text on the Apple Watch?
Yes, you can text while wearing the Apple Watch. Only the Apple Watch Series 7 has a dedicated Qwerty keyboard, but all other Apple Watches can type. The only difference is that Apple Watch Series 6 and below do not include a built-in Qwerty keyboard.
To text on an Apple Watch Series 6 or lower, use the scribble feature or install a third-party app (mentioned above) that allows you to use a qwerty keyboard.
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