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People are just noticing hidden Android typing hack – it’s a total game-changer

IF you've ever struggled to type with one hand on an Android phone, there's a hack you need to know.

It's a common problem that most smartphone owners will have faced.

A simple hack makes your Android smartphone much easier to use
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A simple hack makes your Android smartphone much easier to useCredit: Google / Android

And if you've got a particularly big handset like the Google Pixel 7 Pro, it only gets more difficult.

There are plenty of times you'd expect to type with one hand on an Android.

Maybe you're clinging on to the strap on a bus or train, or perhaps you're holding a cup of coffee.

Whatever the reason, Google has built a special trick into the Android operating system to help you out.

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It's called the one-handed keyboard, and that's as good a description as any.

The feature was added in the Android 12 update, so you'll need to make sure you're using that or later.

First, open an app where you need to type, and then get the keyboard up on screen.

Now tap the ellipsis icon (three dots) above the keyboard.

Next choose the One-Handed option, which will shrink the keyboard and squash it to one side of the screen.

You can switch to the other side by using the left or right arrow.

This should make it significantly easier to type with one hand.

You can use the icon with four arrows pointing away from each other to expand the keyboard back to its original state.

Reach for it!

There's also another handy feature for one-handed use.

It's called One-Handed Mode and lets you drag down the top of the display.

Anyone who is familiar with the iPhone Reachability function will see the similarity.

Go to Settings > System > Gestures > One-Handed Mode and activate it.

You'll need to choose a method of turning it on quickly, which may be a gesture or button press.

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Then you can turn it on or off whenever you need it.

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