If you use the control F on your computer (that is all about searching), you must have wondered if your iPhone has similar features that will help you quickly locate a specific word in a text-filled webpage or word document. Though there is no iPhone Ctrl F, there are still ways to find the words or phrases you are looking for. This article is about how you can search for specific words or phrases on your iPhone’s browser (Chrome and Safari).
What is Ctrl F and What Does it Do?
Control-F is a computer shortcut that helps users locate specific words in a webpage or a word document. When you press the Ctrl and F keys together, your computer will open a search bar where you can type the word or phrase you are looking for. The word will be highlighted on that screen for easier identification.
What is the Solution to Actioning Ctrl-F on an iPhone
Since iPhones are not designed like computers, it is not possible to use the Ctrl F shortcut on an iPhone. However, this does not mean that you cannot find phrases and words on your iPhone’s browser. There are similar means of finding specific words and phrases on a browser, as explained below.
How to Search within a Page on Safari
You can follow the steps below to search for a specific word on your iPhone when using Safari.
- Go to Safari and open the webpage on which you want to search
- Wait for the webpage to load, and then type the specific word you are looking for in the address bar. Remember to avoid hitting enter!
- After typing the word on the search box, several options will appear below the word. Go to the “On this page” option, and you will see the word you typed with “Find” in front of it. This is the option you should choose.
- 4. Just like on your computer, the word will be highlighted on the webpage. A box with the searched word, together with the places it has been found, also appears on the webpage. Use the arrows in front of the box to find other paragraphs with the word. The arrows will help you find the particular sentence you are looking for.
- 5. Once you are through with your search, you can search for another word by typing it on the search box at the bottom of the base. If you are done, press the “Done” option in the box to go back to the usual webpage.
How to Search a Word within a Page When Using Chrome
Though Safari comes as the default browser on your iPhone, you can use Chrome as your browser. Below is how you can search a specific word within a page on Chrome.
- Open the Chrome app on your iPhone and type the address of the webpage you wish to search on the browser’s search box.
- Once the page has been successfully loaded, tap on the three dots icon (…) at the bottom right side of the screen.
- From the list of options, find the “Find in Page” option and select it. A search bar will appear on the top right side of the page.
- Type the specific word you are looking for in the search bar, and it will be highlighted on the page. Remember you should hot hit enter after typing the word.
- Like search box in Chrome also has arrows in front of it to help you find the exact sentence you are looking for. Use the arrows to scroll up and down when looking for the word or phrase.
- If you are done with your search, you can search for another word by typing it on the same box. Once done with the search, click on the “Done” option on the right side of the search box, and you will go back to your regular webpage.
Search a Word within a Web Page Using the Share Button
This option is the easiest way to find a word on your iPhone’s browser. You can use it on both the Chrome app and the Safari app. Here are the steps for searching a word on a web browser using the share button.
- Open the webpage on which you wish to search for a particular word or phrase. It can be either Safari or Chrome browser.
- Once the webpage has loaded, tap the share button. The icon is found on the base of the screen on Safari and within the address box on the top right-hand side of the screen in Chrome.
- After clicking on the share icon, select the “Find on Page/ Find in Page” option from the list of options that will appear on your screen.
- On the search bar that opens after clicking the find on page option, type the word you are looking for, and it will be highlighted on the page.
- Use the arrows in front of the search box to find the exact sentence you are looking for.
- If you are done with the search, you can type in another word or go back to your regular web page by simply clicking on the “Done” option found next to the search box.
In a Nutshell
Though the iPhone does not have the Control + F shortcut, it provides ways to find specific words or phrases on a webpage. Use any of the above methods to enjoy a search similar to the Ctrl F on your iPhone.
