How to use the keyboard as a trackpad on your iPad

Turn your iPad keyboard into a trackpad for even easier editing.

iOS 9 brings several new features to the iPad keyboard. One of the best is "trackpad mode". With it, you can quickly and easily switch from text entry to cursor movement, so you can put the insertion or selection point exactly where you want it.

How to move the cursor in trackpad mode on your iPad

Instead of tapping to move the cursor, you can swipe on the iPad screen to move it, just like you would on a laptop trackpad.

1. Launch the app you want to use and bring up the keyboard.
2. Touch two fingers down on the keyboard to switch to the trackpad.
3. Swipe your finger around to move the cursor.
   
   

How to select text in trackpad mode on your iPad

You can also use the virtual trackpad to select text. To select specific lengths of text:

1. Launch the app you want to use and bring up the keyboard.
2. Touch two fingers down on the keyboard to switch to the trackpad.
3. Tap two fingers once to select the word.
4. Tap two fingers twice to select the sentence.
5. Tap two fingers thrice to select the paragraph.

To select custom lengths of text:

1. Touch two fingers down on the keyboard to switch to the trackpad.
2. Wait a moment for the cursor to switch to the text selector.
3. Swipe your finger around to move the text selection point.