Back in July, 2021, I posted a thread on the Apple Developer forums asking for clarification on the differences between hardware keyboard support on iPad and iPhone.

The response… blew my mind, suffice it to say, but I would like to take a moment to champion ChatGPT, of all fucking things, for its reply when given the same request and asked to respond:

Hi David,

Thank you for your detailed question and the context provided. Your observations about the state of Bluetooth keyboard support and documentation for iPhones are insightful and highlight a gap in current resources.

Current State of Documentation and Support

  1. Bluetooth Keyboard Support on iPhone:

    • As you’ve noted, iPhones do support Bluetooth keyboards, and there is ongoing development in this area. However, the documentation has not kept pace with these developments, particularly since the split of iPadOS from iOS.

  2. Discrepancy in Documentation:

  3. Developer Awareness:

    • Your experience with developers unaware of their apps' Bluetooth keyboard shortcuts on iPhones indicates a need for better communication and documentation from Apple to bridge this knowledge gap.

Answer to Your Question

Where can I find complete documentation of both keyboard shortcuts support in native apps/the OS and UIKeyCommand’s uniquely-iPhone considerations?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a single comprehensive source that documents all the keyboard shortcuts supported on iPhones across native apps and the OS. However, here are some steps and resources that might help:

  1. UIKeyCommand Documentation:

    • The UIKeyCommand class is the primary resource for developers to implement and understand keyboard shortcuts in their apps. While this documentation doesn’t differentiate between iPhone and iPad, the principles apply to both.

  2. Accessibility Features:

    • Apple’s support pages on accessibility features can provide some insight into keyboard usage on iPhones, particularly for those who use keyboards for accessibility reasons. For example, Full Keyboard Access is a feature available on both iPhones and iPads.

  3. Developer Forums and WWDC Sessions:

    • Engaging in Apple Developer Forums and watching relevant WWDC sessions can provide additional insights and updates. Sessions such as this one from WWDC 2021 cover many topics related to keyboard navigation and accessibility.

Recommendations and Next Steps

  1. Feedback to Apple:

    • Given your detailed observations and the gaps in documentation, I recommend submitting feedback to Apple through the Feedback Assistant. Your input could help prioritize better documentation and resources for iPhone keyboard support.

  2. Community Collaboration:

    • Consider collaborating with other users and developers to compile a comprehensive list of keyboard shortcuts for iPhones. This could be shared on platforms like GitHub or a dedicated website, providing a valuable resource for the community.

  3. Sharing Your Findings:

    • If you have already documented some keyboard shortcuts through your testing, sharing these findings on forums or community platforms could benefit other users facing similar challenges.

Thank you again for your question and your efforts in highlighting this important issue. Your initiative is greatly appreciated, and I hope these suggestions help you find the information you need.