How To Strikethrough Text On IOS Devices

Hey guys! Ever found yourself needing to strikethrough text on iOS? Maybe you're drafting an email, writing a note, or even sending a quick message, and you want to indicate something has been crossed out, amended, or is no longer relevant. It's a super common need, but honestly, iOS doesn't make it as straightforward as, say, bold or italics. You won't find a dedicated strikethrough button right there on your keyboard. But don't sweat it! I'm here to walk you through the simple tricks and methods to achieve that neat strikethrough effect on your iPhone or iPad. We'll dive into the different ways you can do this, whether you're using built-in apps or third-party tools. So, grab your device, and let's get this done!

The Magic of Copy-Pasting for Strikethrough iOS

Okay, so the most reliable and widely compatible method for strikethrough text on iOS involves a bit of copy-pasting. Since iOS doesn't have a native strikethrough keyboard function, we need to use special Unicode characters that look like strikethrough text. Think of it like using emojis – they’re special characters that display a certain way. The trick is to find a generator online that can create this strikethrough text for you. You type your normal text into one box, and it spits out the strikethrough version in another. Then, you just copy that strikethrough text and paste it wherever you need it on your iOS device. It works in almost every app that supports text, which is pretty much all of them! This method is fantastic because it doesn't require downloading any new apps or making complicated settings changes. It's a quick, no-fuss solution. You can find these generators with a simple search for "strikethrough text generator" or "strikethrough generator iOS." Just pick one, type your words, copy the output, and paste! Easy peasy.

Finding and Using a Strikethrough Generator

When you're looking for a generator, you'll want to make sure it's user-friendly. Most of them are pretty straightforward: a text input field for your original words and an output field for the generated strikethrough text. Some popular options might even offer different styles of strikethrough, though the standard one is usually what you'll need. Once you've found a generator you like, the process is always the same. Type your message, for instance, "This offer is no longer valid." Then, the generator will transform it into something that looks like this: This offer is no longer valid. You then highlight the generated text, tap 'Copy,' and navigate to the app where you want to paste it. In Messages, Notes, Mail, or even social media apps, just long-press on the text field and select 'Paste.' Voila! Your text now has that professional-looking strikethrough. It's a lifesaver for edits, cancellations, or just adding a bit of emphasis.

Why Unicode for Strikethrough iOS?

So, why does this copy-paste magic work? It's all thanks to Unicode. Unicode is a standard that assigns a unique number (a code point) to every character, symbol, and emoji across different writing systems. For strikethrough text on iOS, we're not talking about a hidden feature within the standard keyboard. Instead, we're using combining diacritical marks. These are characters that are designed to be placed over another character. When you type a letter followed by a combining strikethrough character, the rendering engine displays it as a single character with a line through it. For example, the letter 'A' might have the Unicode code point U+0041, and the combining diacritical long stroke overlay has the code point U+0336. When put together, your device displays 'A' with a line through it. This is why you see text generators online that essentially repeat this combining character after every letter in your input. It's a clever workaround that leverages the flexibility of Unicode to achieve formatting that isn't natively supported by the standard keyboard input. This is also why it works so universally – as long as the app supports Unicode text, it will display correctly. This is a key reason why this method remains the go-to for many iOS users looking to strikethrough text on iOS without any hassle.

Alternative Methods for Strikethrough iOS

While copy-pasting is king, there are a couple of other ways you might achieve a strikethrough effect on iOS, depending on the app you're using. These aren't as universally applicable as the Unicode method but can be useful in specific contexts. Let's check them out!

Using Notes App Formatting (Limited)

Some of you might be surprised to learn that the native Apple Notes app has some built-in formatting options that can mimic a strikethrough. It's not a direct strikethrough tool, but you can achieve a similar visual effect. Here's the trick: when you're typing in Notes, you can use the Format menu (usually an icon that looks like an 'A' with lines next to it, or sometimes accessed by tapping the text and then selecting 'Format'). Within this menu, you can select different styles like Bold, Italics, Underline, and Strikethrough. Yes, you read that right! It's one of the few places within iOS where you'll find a direct strikethrough option. However, there's a catch. This formatting is often proprietary to the Notes app. This means that if you copy text formatted this way from Notes and paste it into another app (like Mail or Messages), the strikethrough formatting might disappear or get converted into something else. So, while it's a convenient way to strikethrough text on iOS within the Notes app itself, it's not a great method for cross-app compatibility. If your goal is just to make notes with strikethroughs for your own reference, then this is a fantastic and easy option. But if you need to share that strikethrough text elsewhere, you'll likely need to revert to the Unicode copy-paste method.

How to Use Strikethrough in Apple Notes

To use this feature, open the Notes app and start typing your text. Once you have the text you want to format, double-tap on the word or tap and drag to select the desired text. After selecting, a menu will pop up. Look for the 'B/U' icon (or similar formatting icon) and tap it. This will reveal options like Bold, Italic, Underline, and Strikethrough. Simply tap Strikethrough, and your text will get that line through it. It’s incredibly straightforward within the Notes app. Remember, though, the limitation is sharing. If you copy this strikethrough text and paste it into an email or a message, the strikethrough formatting might not transfer. It will likely appear as plain text. For universal sharing, the Unicode method is still the best bet for strikethrough iOS users.

Third-Party Keyboard Apps

Another avenue for strikethrough text on iOS involves downloading third-party keyboard apps. The App Store is brimming with them, and many offer enhanced text formatting options that the default iOS keyboard lacks. Some of these keyboards come with dedicated buttons or easy-to-access menus for applying styles like bold, italics, underline, and, you guessed it, strikethrough. When you install one of these keyboards, you'll need to enable it in your iOS settings (Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard...) and then switch to it when you're typing. The user experience can vary greatly between these apps. Some are incredibly well-designed and integrate seamlessly, while others might feel a bit clunky or slow. The main advantage here is that they often provide a more integrated typing experience, meaning you don't have to switch away from your app to generate the text. You can apply the strikethrough directly as you type. However, the compatibility of the strikethrough formatting when pasted into different apps can still be an issue, similar to the Notes app method. Also, be mindful of privacy policies when downloading third-party keyboards, as they have access to everything you type. It's always best to stick with reputable apps.

Choosing a Reliable Keyboard App

If you decide to go the third-party keyboard route for your strikethrough iOS needs, do your homework. Look for keyboards with high ratings and positive reviews. Check if they explicitly mention strikethrough support and how they handle it. Some popular choices often include features for generating fancy text styles, which can be fun for social media. Remember to grant keyboard permissions carefully. For instance, a keyboard that needs full access might pose a security risk. Opt for keyboards that offer