Control-F (Windows) or Command-F (macOS) is an essential keyboard shortcut that all of us use to quickly locate specific words or phrases in a webpage or document. But have you ever wondered if you can use the Control-F search shortcut on iPhone and iPad? Well, the answer is yes. There are multiple ways to perform a Control-F (or Ctrl+F) search on your iPhone. So, if you are looking to unravel this productivity-centric hack, let me show you how it works.
First things first, there is no Ctrl+F/ Cmd+F keyboard shortcut on iPhone. So, how do you look for certain words/ phrases in a document or webpage? It’s pretty simple. You need to take advantage of the integrated search tools to search for text.
- How to Search Specific Words in Safari Webpage on iPhoneHow to Search Specific Words in Chrome Webpage on iPhoneHow to Use Share Button for Control-F Search in Safari/ ChromeHow to Find Specific Words in Notes App on iPhone and iPadHow to Do Control-F Search in Files App on iPhone and iPadHow to Use Control-F in Apple Messages App on iPhoneHow to Use Control-F in Photos App on iPhone and iPadHow to Control-F in Google Docs App on iPhone and iPadHow to Control-F in PowerPoint on iPhone and iPad
How to Search Specific Words in Safari Webpage on iPhone
Open Safari on your iPhone and head to the webpage where you want to search for a word or phrase.
At the bottom of the screen, you should see the number of times that particular word appears on the webpage. Now, you can use the up and down arrow at the bottom of the screen to find each instance of the word. Once you are done with your Control-F search, tap the Done button at the bottom of your iPhone’s screen.
How to Search Specific Words in Chrome Webpage on iPhone
Launch Google Chrome on your iPhone or iPad and navigate to the webpage where you want to search for a specific word.
Next, type the word or phrase in the search bar and hit the up and down arrow to find every instance of the word. Tap Done at the top right when you finish your search.
How to Use Share Button for Control-F Search in Safari/ Chrome
Another reliable way of finding certain words in the Safari or Google Chrome browser is to use the familiar share button. Follow the steps below to learn how tapping the share button presents you with a familiar option.
Open Safari or Chrome on your iPhone and head over to a webpage on which you perform the Control-F operation.
Next, enter the search keyword and use the up/ down arrow to check every instance of the highlighted word on the webpage. After you have found the word or phrase you were looking for, tap Done to finish.
How to Find Specific Words in Notes App on iPhone and iPad
Launch the Notes app (which now supports tags) and open the note where you wish to search for a word or phrase.
Next, use the up/ down arrow to find every instance of a specific word in the note. And as usual, tap Done once you are done with your search.
Searching a specific word in the Files app on iOS devices is pretty straightforward. It includes a dedicated search bar at the top. So, enter the text you want to search -> hit the search button on the keyboard, and you are good to go. The Files app will show all of the files, including pictures, documents, or folders, with the search keyword in its name.
How to Use Control-F in Apple Messages App on iPhone
Apple’s native Messages app also features a search bar at the top to let you track down messages with a certain keyword across all of your conversations. To find any word/ phrase in the iMessage app, tap on the search bar (can also swipe down from the top of the screen to access the search bar), enter the text you want to find, and hit the Search button on the keyboard.
How to Use Control-F in Photos App on iPhone and iPad
With iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, Apple has integrated the Photos app with Spotlight. As a result, you can now search for images using Spotlight on your iPhone or iPad by specifying scenes, people, locations, pets, plants, you name it.
How to Control-F in Google Docs App on iPhone and iPad
- Launch the Google Docs app on your device and open the document you want to perform a text search in.
How to Control-F in PowerPoint on iPhone and iPad
- Launch the Microsoft PowerPoint app on your device and open a presentation. Tap the search icon (magnifying glass) at the top right corner.
