How to Rewrite Text on iPhone with an AI Keyboard

You are typing a message, an email, or a note — and the words just do not feel right. Maybe the grammar is off, the tone is too formal, or the sentence runs too long. On iPhone, the usual fix is to copy the text, switch to another app, paste it into a rewrite tool, copy the result, switch back, and paste again. That friction adds up.

An AI keyboard rewrites text right where you type, without leaving the app you are already in. This guide covers how to set it up, how to use it, and what to expect.

Why rewrite in place instead of copy-pasting

Every app switch costs attention. When you leave Messages to open a separate writing tool, you lose the thread of the conversation. The reply you had in mind drifts. By the time you paste the polished version back, it may not fit the moment.

An AI keyboard keeps you inside the original app. You tap a rewrite action, see the improved version, and replace the text in one motion. The context — the message thread, the email chain, the note — stays visible the whole time.

Step 1: Install QKeyboard

1. Download QKeyboard from the App Store. It is free to start, with Pro available for expanded daily access.
2. Open Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard, then select QKeyboard.
3. Tap QKeyboard in the keyboard list and enable Allow Full Access. iOS requires this for any keyboard that contacts an AI provider. QKeyboard only sends text when you choose a writing action.

Step 2: Switch to QKeyboard while typing

When the standard iOS keyboard is visible, long-press the globe icon (bottom-left corner) and select QKeyboard from the list. The keyboard switches instantly. You will see writing controls at the top of the keyboard.

Step 3: Choose a writing mode

QKeyboard offers several built-in modes. Each mode applies a different style to your text:

• Professional — Makes language clearer and more polished, suitable for work emails and updates.
• Concise — Shortens the text while keeping the core message intact.
• Urgent — Adds clarity and directness for time-sensitive messages.
• Direct — Removes hedging and softeners without sounding rude.
• Custom — You define the voice, structure, and level of detail.

Step 4: Rewrite your text

Once a mode is selected, you have two ways to rewrite:

• Full-field rewrite — Tap the rewrite action and QKeyboard processes the entire text in the input field. You get a preview; tap Replace to commit it.
• Selected-text refinement — Select a specific sentence or phrase, then trigger rewrite. Only the selection changes. This is useful when most of the draft is fine but one sentence needs work.

Step 5: Compare and confirm

After a rewrite, QKeyboard shows a comparison view: the original on the left, the rewritten version on the right. You can see exactly what changed. If the result is not what you wanted, tap Back to see an alternative or Remix for a fresh take.

When you are satisfied, tap Replace. The text in the app updates immediately. No copy, no paste, no app switch.

Privacy: what is sent and what is not

Only text you explicitly request to rewrite is sent to the AI provider. QKeyboard does not store your typing history, and the keyboard does not record keystrokes. If you connect your own provider key (BYOK), the request goes to your provider and the key is stored in Apple Keychain.

When rewriting works best

Rewriting is most useful when you have a rough draft that needs polish but the core idea is already there. It is less helpful for blank-page writing — the AI needs some text to work with. For best results, type out your raw thought first, then rewrite.

Quick tips

• Keep your custom modes focused. A mode named “friendly work update” with clear instructions produces more consistent results than a vague one.
• Use selected-text refinement when one sentence is the problem. You avoid changing parts of the draft you already like.
• If the first rewrite is not quite right, tap Remix instead of typing the whole thing again.

An AI keyboard turns rewriting from a multi-app chore into a single tap. Once it is set up, the friction disappears — and you write with more confidence, one message at a time.