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How to add a number row to the iPhone keyboard

Published · 3 min read

Apple’s iPhone keyboard keeps its digits on a second page, behind the 123 key. There is no setting to add a row of numbers above the letters. There is a faster way to reach them, though, and keyboards that do have the row.

In short. Apple’s iPhone keyboard cannot show a number row. To type one digit quickly, touch the 123 key, slide to the digit and lift your finger: you are back on the letters. For a permanent number row, add a keyboard that offers one, such as Pilcrow (Settings › Numbers & symbols › Number row).

The quickest digit on Apple’s keyboard

Instead of tapping 123, the digit and ABC, use one stroke: touch 123, slide your finger to the digit you want and lift. The digit is typed and the letters come back by themselves. The same works with the shift key for one capital letter.

Keyboards with a number row

A third-party keyboard can draw a row of digits above the letters. It costs a little height, and in return every digit is one tap away. Add one under Settings › General › Keyboard › Keyboards › Add New Keyboard, then turn the row on in its app.

A number row compared with digits in the key cornersLeft: a keyboard with a row of digits above the letters. Right: a keyboard with a small digit in the corner of each top-row key, and a flick up on E typing 3. A number row Digits in the corners 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 q w e r t y u i o p a s d f g h j k l ⇧ ⌫ z x c v b n m 123 ⏎ q 1 w 2 e 3 r 4 t 5 y 6 u 7 i 8 o 9 p 0 a s d f g h j k l ⇧ ⌫ z x c v b n m 123 ⏎ 3 every digit one tap away hold a key, or flick it up
Two ways to keep digits on the letters page. Both are settings in Pilcrow; Apple’s iPhone keyboard has neither.

Numbers in Pilcrow: a row, or in the corners

  • Number row (Settings › Numbers & symbols › Number row) puts the digits above the letters. Switching to 123 with it on keeps every row in place, so nothing jumps under your thumb.
  • Numbers on long-press is on from the start: each top-row key shows its digit small in the corner, and holding the key types it. Any accents on that key stay next to your finger, as on Apple’s keyboard.
  • Flick up types the corner character straight away, without waiting for the hold.
  • Symbols on long-press, off unless you want it, puts @ # $ & ( ) and ! ? : ; on the lower rows the same way.
  • Your own symbol keys: any key on the 123 and #+= pages can type the character you actually use.

The number row, the long-press digits and your own symbol keys are part of what you unlock after the three free days.

Last checked October 2026 against Apple’s iPhone User Guide for iOS 27. If anything here is out of date, write to info@pilcrowtype.com.

Sources

  1. Apple, Type with the onscreen keyboard on iPhone
  2. Apple, Add or change keyboards on iPhone

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