How do you type on your phone?

Farmor15

I must be a bit strange - I use the side of my middle finger! Much prefer typing on laptop - can sort of touch type as taught myself years ago on typewriter.

I do the same, just tried with index finger but very uncomfortable, had to make a fist of my other fingers as they were in the way. Can't use my thumbs as I get a lot of pain in that area.

Shinamae

I use the microphone. 🤓

😄 💡

I use Microsoft SwiftKey, you just swipe over the keys rather than type each one individually. I've used it for years, it's the only way to screen type.

And it's super easy to set up.

I struggle with my typing and do not understand how other GNers cope in the way they suggest. Well into my 80s I never typed as a child ( can still do a reasonable copperplate should anyone need it)

Several of my phone problems relate to my hearing an instruction( Usually requiring the use of hash key AND/OR star too )and then maybe using the other symbol in the same sequence but gettingthe symbols in the correct order)

I place the phone on the nearest flat surface and try to do as requested. Inevitably, the next instruction begins before I have managed to finish carrying out the first instruction
Yes, I do use the speaker phone

It took almost 45 minutes yesterday to register my repeat prescription

The 1945/ Butler Education act did not help me in any requirements here nor did my small selection of degrees. My hearing is still quite good but the phone line does not allow any quality of reception,

It used to be quite simple in the olden days but now I have to tell my offsprng I am techno phobic to explain my inability to use the modern methods..... no matter which side of the thumb or finger I try to use

I use my thumb, very slowly and usually have to delete because of mistakes, I've watched people texting with both thumbs...but I can't manage it ..

I think I'm the most antediluvian of the rest of you. I can manage a short message typed on my phone at a very slow rate with my index finger and with mistakes that have to be rectified if noticed. I much prefer writing on my desktop - and even though I've been doing that for donkeys' years I still make mistakes on that too!
Perhaps I should try a thumb!

I'm very bad at typing on my phone, so use a stylus when I can, so much easier.

Have you tried voice input? It can be surprisingly effective.

Phones aren't really designed for heavy-duty text input though. I wonder if you find your laptop cumbersome because you're using it on your lap? Try sitting at a table.

Reluctantly.

I detest having to send text messages, as I a, find it hard to see properly on a phone, b, cannot type with my thumbs, and being an accomplished typist on a keyboard or typewriter find typing with my right index finger annoying.

If I need to send a longer message to those who do not habitually use their e-mail, I e-mail them then send a text message saying Please read e-mail, I have just sent.

As a copy typist and word processor operator the only time I used my thumb a was to hit the space bar.

Typing with my thumbs, I just can't do it. I'm left-handed and use the middle finger of my left hand, holding the phone in my right hand.

i have an apple iphone (son's idea) i was having problems so i bought a rubber tipped stylus, i have the phone for about two years, i was sending a reply to a friend when my son burst out laughing and asked what i was doing, i had not known that i could just press the little icon that looks like a cactus and say the words and the phone wrote them out, just to let you understand i only ever use the phone if i go out as i have a house phone and i don't need the internet, apps, timetables or anything else on my phone, think i am a bit of a techno phobe.

I watch my AC typing on their phones with both thumbs and I can’t do it for the life of me. Index finger of my right hand is the only way I can do it. I do sometimes use the voice recognition but it always misinterprets something.

I use a stylus on my iPad and a smaller one on my phone. Daughter suggested stylus when I got my tablet so I’ve never used my fingers! Never learned to type either.

I have a bit of arthritis in my index finger and thumb, so I only use the 4th finger of my right hand to type. My children think this is hilarious.

Middle finger of left hand.
Have tried using my thumbs, but not for me.

Greyduster

I’ve been a touch typist for years and can still get up some speed on a laptop keyboard, but on a phone I can only use the index finger of my right hand. On the iPad I can use both hands but still only use the index fingers, even though I don’t have to look where the letters are. I have a plug in keyboard for my iPad but never use it.

I was a certificated 180wpm shorthand writer and 70wpm typist, RSA3 with distinction. I would never be able to revert to thumbs. If I needed to type up a lengthy email or document, it would have to be qwerty keyboard so I could use my keyboard skills. On phone, the quickest way to do it for me, knowing where qwerty keys are, is the middle finger on right hand. Definitely not thumbs. They were trained in the 1980s to key the space bar

Farmor15

I must be a bit strange - I use the side of my middle finger! Much prefer typing on laptop - can sort of touch type as taught myself years ago on typewriter.

Middle finger too on both tablet and phone, but the pad (end?) of middle finger. Or my right hand thumb

Theexwife

If it is a long text I use the dictate option.

I’m a big fan of the dictation function on my phone for all kinds of things.

My Granddaughter laughed at me typing with my finger! It didn’t take me long to train my thumbs. So much quicker now!

I use a stylus. Have them scattered all over the house and in bags and pockets.

Thumbs. You can type much faster and don’t obscure the screen with your hand. You can do it either way. Portrait or landscape. I usually do portrait as you use your hands to support phone and not your little fingers.

I watch my DGs type with their thumbs, but I can't do it. They're wickedly fast, though!
I can't do it with my index finger anymore as it causes pain. Instead, I use a rubber ended stylus, and to be perfectly honest, I am lost without these things! I buy them, in packets of 10 or 12, usually from eBay, for around £3:80 every now and then. I have them all over the place, in case I forget to cary one with me!

I know this is really late...but I voice type. Mostly. my finger typing is a horrific mess no matter what finger I use. I am a bit surprised that no one here mentioned voice typing!

oops......... I just noted voice typing was mentioned by saying "I use microphone"