Header Banner
gadgethacks.mark.png
Gadget Hacks Shop Apple Guides Android Guides iPhone Guides Mac Guides Pixel Guides Samsung Guides Tweaks & Hacks Privacy & Security Productivity Hacks Movies & TV Smartphone Gaming Music & Audio Travel Tips Videography Tips Chat Apps

How to Type Curse Words with Apple's QuickPath Swipe-Typing Keyboard in iOS 13

Sep 10, 2019 03:23 PM
Sep 25, 2019 07:13 PM
Text conversation on a smartphone screen.

The iPhone's autocorrect feature is wonderful and convenient, but it doesn't always work with informal language like profanity. If you've ever used the F-word, there's a good chance you've had your curse words "corrected" to other words that don't ducking make sense. And with the release of iOS 13, swearing in your messages and on social media could get a little harder.

One of the many new features in iOS 13 is the new swipe keyboard, referred to by Apple as QuickPath or Slide to Type. It makes typing faster since you're gliding across keys instead of tapping them one by one, but it also makes it harder to write obscene words.

When you type in a swear word, you can usually see it in the predictive text panel above the keyboard. However, with gesture typing, you can't. If you attempt to swipe in the F-word, you'll get words like duck, sick, dick, or dock — but not the actual f--- word. Luckily, there's a quick tip to curse with the glide keyboard in iOS 13. It's not perfect, but it's all we have for now besides using another keyboard like Gboard (which allows offensive words).

Try Swipe-Typing Curse Words with QuickPath

Before we get into the tip, try out the QuickPath feature to enter in cuss words. Swipe around and see which words appear in the autocorrect panel instead.

For the word s---, the three words that appeared for me in the autocorrect panel included shut, shout, and shoot, but you may see different ones depending on which words you use more. For instance, you may notice short, shot, sit, etc. Unfortunately, no matter how much you try, you'll never be able to type in any curse word by swiping — unless you use text replacement.

How to Type Curse Words with Apple's QuickPath Swipe-Typing Keyboard in iOS 13
How to Type Curse Words with Apple's QuickPath Swipe-Typing Keyboard in iOS 13

Add Your Curse Words to Text Replacement

The text replacement feature on iOS allows you to quickly enter email addresses, long words, emoticons, and more without typing them all out. For example, iOS transforms "omw" into "On my way!" And you can also use the feature to force autocorrect to show words that it usually doesn't show, like obscenities.

To access the text replacement feature, open the Settings app, tap "General," select "Keyboard," and then go into "Text Replacement."

Settings menu on a mobile device displaying various options with an arrow pointing to "General."
Keyboard settings in mobile device settings menu.
Keyboard settings on a mobile device with a highlighted option for "Your Keyboard" and various toggle switches for features.
Settings menu on a mobile device displaying various options with an arrow pointing to "General."
Keyboard settings in mobile device settings menu.
Keyboard settings on a mobile device with a highlighted option for "Your Keyboard" and various toggle switches for features.

Add your foul-mouthed word into text replacement by tapping on the plus (+) sign in the top right. Next, enter the profane word into the Phrase box and leave the Shortcut box empty. Finally, hit "Save." Continue doing this until you've entered every swear word you use (which could take a while).

How to Type Curse Words with Apple's QuickPath Swipe-Typing Keyboard in iOS 13
Text replacement feature on a smartphone showing options to add a shortcut.
How to Type Curse Words with Apple's QuickPath Swipe-Typing Keyboard in iOS 13
How to Type Curse Words with Apple's QuickPath Swipe-Typing Keyboard in iOS 13
Text replacement feature on a smartphone showing options to add a shortcut.
How to Type Curse Words with Apple's QuickPath Swipe-Typing Keyboard in iOS 13

Try Swipe-Typing the Curse Words Again

Now, whenever you use the QuickPath keyboard to swipe out a curse word, you'll see the word in one of the boxes in the panel of suggested alternatives above the keyboard. Tap on it to enter it into the text field and also to teach the keyboard that you mean to type in the curse word, not other words.

How to Type Curse Words with Apple's QuickPath Swipe-Typing Keyboard in iOS 13
How to Type Curse Words with Apple's QuickPath Swipe-Typing Keyboard in iOS 13

After tapping on the curse word in the panel of suggestions a few times, it will automatically appear in the text field. It won't work every time, but it's a decent workaround to Apple's seeming distaste of bad words. Even if it doesn't work every time, you'll at least have faster access to picking the right one from the suggested alternatives.

Cover image, GIFs, and screenshots by Nelson Aguilar/Gadget Hacks

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

Related Articles

Comments

No Comments Exist

Be the first, drop a comment!