How to Create Custom Text Replacements on iPhone

Step by step

1. 15 sec

   Open the Keyboard Settings menu

   Launch the Settings app from your Home Screen. Navigate to General, then tap on Keyboard.

2. 15 sec

   Locate the Text Replacement section

   Within the Keyboard menu, select Text Replacement. This page displays all active shortcuts currently saved to your iCloud account.

3. 30 sec

   Add a new text shortcut

   Tap the plus (+) icon located in the top-right corner of the screen. This opens the entry fields for your new shortcut.

4. 45 sec

   Define the phrase and the shortcut

   Enter the full phrase into the Phrase field. In the Shortcut field, enter the abbreviated characters you want to trigger the expansion.

   Note: Choose a shortcut sequence that you do not use as a standard word to avoid accidental triggers.
5. 15 sec

   Save the new entry

   Tap Save in the top-right corner to commit the shortcut to your library. The new replacement is now active across all devices signed into the same iCloud account.

6. 30 sec

   Test the shortcut in a text field

   Open any app that uses the keyboard, such as Notes or Messages. Type your defined shortcut and observe the text expansion in the predictive text bar, then tap the spacebar to insert it.