Control F on iPhone: 3 Ways to Search a Word on iPhone

Smartphones rarely let us miss our computers these days. Writing emails, editing videos, consuming content, the smart devices in the palm of our hands have become so powerful that they have been replacing many other devices in our lives, including the good old computer.

However, there are moments when you still miss your notebook or desktop. And one of these is when one has to use those handy shortcuts that one often only associates with computers and notebooks. We often end up missing the simplicity of pressing a couple of keys together and getting the results right away. One such keyboard shortcut that we used to (yes, ‘used to’) miss dearly while browsing on our iPhones is the mighty Control+ F (Command + F on Mac).

How to Control F on iPhone

Ctrl F search command helps you find one particular word amongst what could be a sea of image images and text. Just press the Ctrl and F key together on your computer, and a nifty little search bar pops out where you can type the specific word you are looking for, and that word will get highlighted on that screen. Now, unfortunately, this does not work if you are using an iPhone or an iPad.

But that does not mean that you cannot search for words in a browser window on your iPhone or iPad. You can actually do something similar to a Ctrl F on iPhone as well. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

How to Search Within a Page on Safari?

1. Go to Safari and open the webpage you want to search:
   On your iPhone, you get a pre-installed browser called Safari. Please find it and open it. Once you have opened the app, you have to type in the webpage address in the search bar on top to open the webpage on which you want to search.
   
2. Type the word in the search bar
   Once the webpage you wanted is loaded, you can now type the specific word or phrase that you are looking for in the address bar. Yes, type it in the place where you typed in the URL. Just remember not to hit enter!
3. Head to “On this page:”
   After typing the word/phrase in the search box, a number of options will appear below the word. In this, you have to go all the way down to “On this page,” below which will be the word you typed with “Find” in front of it. This is the option you need to choose.
   
4. Voila, the word is highlighted on the page:
   Just like on a computer, the word you have typed in will get highlighted on the webpage. On the base of the page, you will also see a box with the word you are searching for, along with the number of places where it has been found on the page. Use the arrows in front of it to move to the other places on the page where the word is found. You can simply tap on these arrows accordingly to find the particular sentence that you are looking for.
   
5. Search for more terms or press “Done:”
   Once you are through with your search, you can search for another term by typing it in the search box at the base, or if you are finished, simply press the “Done” option in the box, and you will be left with your usual webpage.
   

How to Search Within a Page on Chrome

Safari might be the default browser on your iPhone, but that does not mean that you cannot use Chrome, the most popular browser in the world. Yes, you can. If you are not a Safari person and want to enjoy the benefits of a Control+F command on Chrome, you can do so too. (Click here if you want to know how to change the default browser on iOS.)

1. Open the Chrome app on your iPhone:
   Just open the Chrome app on your iPhone and type the address of the webpage you wish to search in the search box.
2. Tap on the three dots:
   After you have successfully loaded the webpage on your Chrome app, you have to tap the three dots icon (…) present on the bottom right side of the screen.
   
3. Select “Find in page:”
   Tapping on the dots icon will open up a list of options. You need to scroll down in the list, find the “Find in page” option, and select it.
   
4. Type in the word or phrase:
   A search bar will appear right on top of the page as soon as you select the “Find in page” option. All you need to do now is type in the specific word or phrase you are looking for, and the results will get highlighted on the page.
   
5. Use the arrows to browse:
   Like in Safari, this search bar also has upwards and downwards arrows in front of it, which you can use to get to the result you are looking for.
6. Do another search or tap on “Done:”
   Once you are through with your search, you can search for another term in the same box, or if you have finished your search, simply click on the “Done” option next to the search box, and you will have your regular webpage back!
   

The Easiest Way to Find a Word on iPhone

Yes, there is a third way too. And this option works regardless of whether you are using the Chrome app or Safari app for browsing and is actually the easiest option in our book.

1. Open the webpage:
   You can do this on either Safari or Chrome. Simply open the webpage on which you wish to search for a word.
2. Tap on the Share icon:
   Once you have opened up the webpage, you have to tap on the Share button. On the Safari app, you will find it on the base of your screen, while on the Chrome app, it is placed within the address box on the top right-hand side of your screen. In both cases, it looks like an arrow pointing upwards and outwards from a box.
   
3. Click on “Find on/in Page”:
   After clicking on the Share icon, a new list of options (share sheet) will pop up on your screen. From here, you have to select the “Find on Page” option if you are using Safari or select “Find in Page” if you are using Chrome.
   
4. Type in the word/ phrase:
   Clicking on the option will instantly open up a search bar with a keyboard on your screen. Now all you have to do is type the word you are looking for, which will be highlighted on the page.
   
5. Use the arrows:
   You will get the upwards and downwards arrows in this case well. You can navigate your way through your searches until you find the one that you are looking for.
6. Search more or just be Done:
   Once you are done with your search, you can type in another term or word to search for, or simply tap on the “Done” option present next to the search box, and you will be back to your regular page.

Frequently Asked Questions