Using symbols on an iPhone adds clarity, expression, and creativity to your messages, notes, emails, and social media posts. Whether you’re adding a degree sign (°), currency symbol (€), or a checkmark (✓), iOS makes it simple.
In this guide, we cover every method to access symbols on your iPhone—whether you’re texting, browsing, or customizing shortcuts.
✅ 1. Using the iPhone Default Keyboard
📌 Step-by-Step:
- Open any app with a typing field (Messages, Notes, Safari, etc.).
- Tap the “123” key in the bottom-left corner to switch from letters to numbers and basic symbols.
- Tap the “#+=” key for access to extended symbols.
💡 Common Symbols You’ll Find:
! @ # $ % & * ( ) - + = ~ \ | / : ; " '? ! _ ^ { } [ ] < > # * \ ° § • …
✋ 2. Access Hidden Symbols with Long Press
The iPhone keyboard hides many additional characters in long-press menus.
🧠 Examples:
| Key | Press and Hold to Reveal |
|---|---|
0 | ° (degree symbol) |
. | .com, .org, .net, .edu |
- | – — • |
' | ‘ ’ |
" | “ ” |
e | é è ê ë ē |
a | á à â ä å ā |
Long-press vowels and punctuation for international or stylistic variations.
🌍 3. Switch to Emoji & Symbol Keyboard
iOS includes an Emoji & Symbol Keyboard with many graphic icons and shapes.
🔄 How to Access:
- Tap the Globe 🌐 or Emoji Face 😊 on the keyboard.
- Browse or search for symbols such as:
- ✅ ✔️ ☑️ (checkmarks)
- ➡️ ↩️ ↪️ (arrows)
- 💲 💶 💷 💴 (currency)
- ⚠️ ☠️ 🚫 (signs)
- ❤️ ★ ◆ ☁️ ☀️ (shapes, hearts, weather)
🛠️ 4. Create Custom Shortcuts for Symbols
Use Text Replacement to insert symbols faster.
📋 Set It Up:
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement
- Tap +
- In Phrase, enter the symbol (e.g.,
✓) - In Shortcut, enter something like
chk
Now, typing chk will automatically turn into ✓.
🔣 5. Use Special Characters with Dictation
Using voice commands, you can speak certain symbols into the iPhone keyboard.
🎙️ Example Commands:
- Say: “Dollar sign” → Types:
$ - Say: “Open parenthesis” → Types:
( - Say: “Hashtag” → Types:
#
Enable Dictation:
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard
- Toggle “Enable Dictation” ON
Tap the microphone icon 🎤 on the keyboard to start.
📲 6. Use a Third-Party Symbol App (Optional)
There are apps that provide extended symbol libraries, including:
- Mathematical symbols
- Arrows
- Greek letters
- Currency
- Decorative characters
🔥 Popular Apps:
- Symbol Keyboard
- Character Pad
- Fonts – Fancy Keyboard & Emoji
- Cool Fonts & Symbols
Available on the App Store.
🧠 Bonus: Symbols for Social Media or Notes
Popular Copy-Paste Symbols:
- ✅ ✔️ ☑️ (Checkmarks)
- ★ ☆ ✦ ✧ (Stars)
- ♡ ♥ ❤ ❣ (Hearts)
- ☀ ☁ ☂ ❄ (Weather)
- ☎ ✉ ✏ (Communication)
- ☕ 🍎 🛒 🐾 (Emoji-style symbols)
Want a ready-to-use list? Ask for a copy-paste symbol sheet.
📌 Final Tips
- Rotate the phone sideways in Notes or Mail for more symbols (especially on older iPhones).
- Keep frequently used symbols in Shortcuts or Notes for easy access.
- Combine symbols and emojis for creative posts 💡✅🎉