Using Gestures Typing and Accessibility Settings

Practise accurate gestures and text entry, then make the screen comfortable to use.

Part 2 of 10 | Smartphone Skills for Beginners

Learning goals Tap and scroll deliberately, correct a short note and adjust one readability setting. Your output is an edited practice note and a record of the display setting that suits you.

Before you begin Allow 75 minutes. Use an existing Notes, Keep or other simple note app; a blank message draft also works, provided you do not add a recipient. Avoid entering private information. If TalkBack or VoiceOver is already enabled, use its learned gestures and tutorial rather than switching it off for the class.

Give each gesture a purpose A tap briefly touches an item to select or open it. Touch and hold means keeping a finger on an item until another action or menu appears. A swipe moves a finger across the screen. Scrolling moves through a page or list. In a photo or supported webpage, spreading two fingers zooms in and bringing them together zooms out.

Try one action and wait for the response. Repeated tapping can open something just as it moves under your finger. If a long press opens a menu you did not want, dismiss it by tapping away or using the available Back or Cancel action. Do not choose Delete simply to make a menu disappear.

Navigate between screens Android may use Back, Home and Recents buttons or edge gestures. Back normally returns to the previous screen; Home returns to the main app area. On iPhone, apps commonly provide an onscreen back control, while Home uses a button or bottom-edge swipe depending on the model. There is no single universal iPhone Back button.

Use the app switcher to return to an already-open app. On gesture-based phones, swiping up from the bottom and pausing commonly opens it; an iPhone with a Home button uses a double press. Observe the app previews and select the note app. You do not need to clear every preview whenever you leave an app.

Enter and correct text Tap inside a text field to show the keyboard. Type this harmless sentence: I will practise using my phone tomorrow. Use the space bar between words, Shift for a capital and the number or symbol key when needed. Keyboard layouts differ, so read the key labels rather than assuming they match a printed computer keyboard.

To correct a word, position the cursor near it and use backspace or select the word before replacing it. Touching and holding text commonly offers selection controls. Drag selection handles carefully and choose Copy; then tap a new position and choose Paste. Practise on ordinary text, not passwords, because copied information can remain available on the clipboard.

Check predictions and voice input Autocorrect can replace a word even when you typed the name correctly. Read the whole sentence before sending or saving, paying particular attention to names, amounts, dates and locations. Keyboard language affects suggestions. Change language only to an option you understand and can use; language availability depends on the keyboard and device.

If your keyboard offers dictation, you can try a short harmless phrase and inspect the result. Dictation can mishear accents, background sounds and punctuation, and some configurations need internet access. Do not speak account secrets or private messages aloud in a shared place. Typing remains a useful fallback when voice input is inaccurate or unavailable.

Make the display easier to use On Android, search Settings for Font size or Display size. Text size changes lettering, while display size can change the size of more screen elements. On iPhone, explore Settings, Accessibility, then Display & Text Size; larger text options are available within the accessibility controls. Adjust one setting at a time and check an actual message or webpage.

TalkBack on Android and VoiceOver on iPhone are screen readers. They change how tapping and swiping behave. If you want to learn one, use the official tutorial with suitable support and know the exit method before enabling it. Other options include magnification, captions and touch adjustments. Keep a helpful setting; this exercise is not a reason to undo a person's accessibility setup.

Guided exercise 1. Open a harmless note. Scroll through a longer screen, return to the note and use two-finger zoom on a practice photo if supported.

2. Type the practice sentence and deliberately misspell tomorrow. Correct only that word without deleting the entire note.

3. Add the line Practice time 10:30. Check the capital letter, numbers, space and colon. Use a different time if you prefer.

4. Copy the first sentence and paste it on a new line. Remove only the duplicate, then read the remaining text aloud to check accuracy.

5. Adjust one text or display setting by a small amount. Open the note again, assess readability and record the route and chosen setting without taking a screenshot of private content.

Knowledge check 1. What should you do after autocorrect changes a name?

2. Does enlarging text necessarily enlarge every control in every app?

3. Why should a screen reader be learned deliberately rather than switched on casually?

Answer guide 1. Review and correct the name before sending or saving the message.

2. No. Text size, display size and app support differ.

3. It changes navigation gestures, so a learner needs its tutorial and a known way to control or exit it.

Completion standard Create a readable two-line note, correct a word, copy and remove a duplicate and demonstrate one suitable accessibility adjustment. Explain all three answers. Success means accurate, comfortable use, including any assistive method you need, rather than speed.

Sources and verification notes

Google Get around on your Android device. Checked 14 September 2026. Navigation depends on the device and manufacturer. Use the instructions for the navigation mode already enabled.

Apple Learn basic gestures to interact with iPhone. Checked 14 September 2026. Explains tap, touch and hold, swipe, scrolling and zoom gestures.

Google Change text and display settings. Checked 14 September 2026. Font size and display size can be adjusted separately. Availability and effect vary by app and Android version.

Apple Adjust iPhone display and text settings. Checked 14 September 2026. Explains display accessibility controls and text adjustments.

Apple Select edit and move text on iPhone. Checked 14 September 2026. Provides text selection, cursor, copy and paste guidance.