How to Select a Paragraph on the iPhone

Early versions of the iPhone's iOS firmware did not include the capability to select, copy and paste text. Fortunately, more recent versions do allow this function. If you have iOS version 3 or newer on your iPhone, you can select text, including entire paragraphs, and paste the paragraph into other applications, email and text messages.

Step 1

Navigate to the paragraph you want to select. Although this function is not available every application, it is available for email, text messages, Safari Web pages and many other apps.

Step 2

Press and hold a word in the paragraph until it is highlighted in blue with a slider on either side of it, and a magnifying glass appears over it. Any word in the paragraph will do, but the first or last word is simplest to choose. You can slide the magnifying glass over the text with your finger to find the specific point where you want to begin the selection. Lift your finger from the screen.

Step 3

Drag one or both sliders until the blue highlighting encompasses the entire paragraph. After it is selected, copy the text by tapping the "Copy" button that is displayed above the selection. You can paste the paragraph into a new text message, email or area of a supported app. Press and hold the area where you want to paste the selected text to appear and tap the "Paste" button that is displayed.

References

• Apple: Pages for iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch): Select and Edit Text

About the Author

Heather Harris received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Old Dominion University. Since 2008 her writing has appeared at Pop Bunker, Geek Girls Network, and various other sites. She has appeared on podcasts such as the Meltdown Comics Meltcast and the Paul and Spike Show. She also owns and operates StreetSpirit Photography along with her husband.

Photo Credits

• Hannah Johnston/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images