The Basics
Just like a Mac, the iPad includes a slate of basic keyboard shortcuts that work with every app. They help you navigate iPadOS, launch apps, and edit text. These are the shortcuts that you’ll probably use most often.
System Shortcuts
Command+H: Show home screen Command+Tab: Open app switcher Command+Space: Open Spotlight Search Option+Command+D: Show Dock Shift+Command+3: Take a screenshot Shift+Command+4: Take a screenshot and edit
Text Editing
Command+C: Copy Command+X: Cut Command+V: Paste Command+Z: Undo Shift+Command+Z: Redo Command+B: Bold Command+I: Italicize Command+U: Underline Command+A: Select all Command+Up Arrow: Jump to top of the page Command+Down Arrow: Jump to bottom of the page
App-Specific Shortcuts
On the iPad, each app includes its own custom set of keyboard shortcuts. Some of them are similar between apps, such as Command+F to find or Command+N to open a new document, but others are less obvious. Let’s take a look at some of the most useful ones.
Safari
Command+T: Open a new tab Command+W: Close the current tab Command+L: Open URL or search Command+R: Reload page Command+F: Find within current tab Command+[: Go Back Command+]: Go Forward Shift+Command+N: New Private tab Shift+Command+T: Reopen the last closed tab Shift+Command+Backslash (“\”): Show tab overview
Pages
Command+N: Create a new document Command+O: Open an existing document Command+W: Close the current document Command+S: Save the current document Command+P: Print the current document
Command+N: New email Command+Shift+N: New email in a new window Command+R: Reply to an email Shift+Command+R: Reply all to an email Shift+Command+F: Forward email
Notes
Command+N: New note Shift+Command+N: New note in a new window Command+D: Delete a note Command+L: Lock current note
Maps
Command+T: Show traffic Command+Z: Undo the last map action Command+F: Search for a location Command+D: Add current location to favorites
Files
Command+N: Create document Shift+Command+N: Create folder Command+Delete: Delete file Command+F: Find within Files app Command+D: Duplicate file
RELATED: The Best macOS Keyboard Shortcuts You Should Be Using
A Built-in Cheat Sheet
If the big list of shortcuts above seems overwhelming, don’t worry: You don’t need to memorize all of them. iPadOS includes a dynamic “cheat sheet” that lists the most important keyboard shortcuts in each app.
To see the list of available keyboard shortcuts in an app, press and hold the Command key on your physical iPad keyboard until the menu appears on your screen. This overlay menu will change depending on which app you are using, and you can even use it on the home screen. Good luck, and happy keyboarding!
Of course, you’ll need a keyboard to use these shortcuts, and the iPad doesn’t come with one. A keyboard case is one of our favorite iPad accessories. You can also use any Bluetooth keyboard you have laying around.
