Why does iOS selects entire text on tap.

[satchmo]

Tapping on the URL in safari or editing search on Twitter always selects the entire text. Can’t even deselect as I want to insert the cursor text I-beam at a specific location. So frustrating.

Maybe I’m doing it wrong but it use to be easy to insert a flashing cursor.

 

[Paddle1]

Tapping on the URL in safari or editing search on Twitter always selects the entire text. Can’t even deselect as I want to insert the cursor text I-beam at a specific location. So frustrating.

Maybe I’m doing it wrong but it use to be easy to insert a flashing cursor.

You can hold the spacebar to move the cursor. (Or 3D Touch if your phone has it)

 

[satchmo]

You can hold the spacebar to move the cursor. (Or 3D Touch if your phone has it)

Thanks, I know that moves the cursor. Unfortunately I need to place the cursor on deselected text first.
And as I said, tapping on the field always selects the entire field.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I agree it is frustrating at times. Selecting all text should be with a double tap or a long press. Maybe Apple will change that at some point.

 

[Paddle1]

Thanks, I know that moves the cursor. Unfortunately I need to place the cursor on deselected text first.
And as I said, tapping on the field always selects the entire field.

I might be misunderstanding what you're saying, but holding the spacebar automatically deselects all text.

Agree this is an area that could use some improvement.

 

[mrochester]

I agree it is frustrating at times. Selecting all text should be with a double tap or a long press. Maybe Apple will change that at some point.

I presume the logic is that if a user taps on the address bar it’s because they want to search or navigate somewhere else entirely. If the entire text wasn’t highlighted by default then users would have to highlight and delete what was already there before they could proceed to search or navigate elsewhere.

 

[satchmo]

I might be misunderstanding what you're saying, but holding the spacebar automatically deselects all text.

Agree this is an area that could use some improvement.

Yeah, holding the space bar only works if text is already deselected at the time.

Otherwise, it will delete the text.

I presume the logic is that if a user taps on the address bar it’s because they want to search or navigate somewhere else entirely. If the entire text wasn’t highlighted by default then users would have to highlight and delete what was already there before they could proceed to search or navigate elsewhere.

I know what you’re saying, but what if the user simply want to edit part of the URL, or made a typo.
There needs to be a defined way of selecting all versus inserting cursor.

 

[cupcakes2000]

Yeah, holding the space bar only works if text is already deselected at the time.

Otherwise, it will delete the text.

No it doesn’t. It deselected if the text is selected. Doesn’t delete anything and works whether or not the text is selected.

 

[martin2345uk]

No it doesn’t. It deselected if the text is selected. Doesn’t delete anything and works whether or not the text is selected.

I concur, this is also how it works for me

 

[satchmo]

No it doesn’t. It deselected if the text is selected. Doesn’t delete anything and works whether or not the text is selected.

I stand corrected. I must not have held down long enough or mispressed. Thanks.

 

[NoGood@Usernames]

Edit: Delete