“The keyboard keeps popping up” can mean two different things on an iPhone 13. Either the whole on-screen keyboard appears when you don’t want it, or each letter you tap pops up in a little bubble above the key. There’s no single switch that turns the keyboard off, because apps open it whenever you tap a text field, but you can stop the common triggers and turn off the letter bubbles. This guide covers both.
Quick answer
To stop the letter bubbles, go to Settings > General > Keyboard and turn off Character Preview. To hide a keyboard that’s already open, swipe down on the text above it or tap outside the text field.
Turn off the letter pop-ups (Character Preview)
- Open Settings.
- Tap General > Keyboard.
- Turn off Character Preview.
Letters no longer enlarge above your finger as you type. This doesn’t affect the passcode keypad, which always shows the numbers you tap.
Why the keyboard opens on its own
- Apps focus a text box. Many apps put the cursor in a search or message field when they open, which brings up the keyboard automatically.
- Spotlight search. Swiping down in the middle of the Home Screen opens search with the keyboard ready.
- Type to Siri. If this is on, activating Siri opens a text box and keyboard instead of listening.
- Back Tap. A double or triple tap on the back of the phone may be set to open something that uses the keyboard.
- A hardware keyboard disconnecting. If you use a Bluetooth keyboard, the on-screen keyboard reappears when it disconnects or goes to sleep.
Fixes for each cause
Turn off Type to Siri
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Siri and turn off Type to Siri.
Check Back Tap
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and set Double Tap and Triple Tap to None if you don’t use them. A case or setting your phone down can trigger them by accident.
Avoid accidental Spotlight swipes
You can’t disable the Spotlight swipe, but swiping from the very top edge opens Notification Center or Control Center instead, without the keyboard.
Bluetooth keyboards
If you use one, keep it charged and connected. To use only the on-screen keyboard, turn off the Bluetooth keyboard or disconnect it in Settings > Bluetooth.
Hide a keyboard that won’t go away
- Tap an empty area outside the text field.
- Swipe down on the content above the keyboard. Many apps, like Messages and Notes, hide the keyboard this way.
- Tap Done, Return, or Cancel if the app shows them.
- If the keyboard is frozen, swipe up to close the app, then reopen it. Restarting the iPhone fixes a stuck keyboard in most cases.
Still having problems?
If the keyboard lags, types the wrong letters, or acts strangely, resetting the keyboard dictionary can help. See resetting the keyboard on iPhone. To change other keyboard behavior, like sounds and haptics, see turning off keyboard feedback.
Frequently asked questions
Can I disable the iPhone keyboard completely?
No. iOS needs the keyboard for typing, so there’s no way to turn it off. You can only control when it appears and use dictation or a Bluetooth keyboard instead.
Why does the keyboard pop up when I open a specific app?
That app places the cursor in a text field when it launches. Some apps have a setting to change this. If not, tap outside the field to dismiss it.
Does this apply to other iPhone models?
Yes. The settings are the same on newer iPhones and on any iPhone running a recent version of iOS. Menu names can differ slightly between iOS versions, so use the search bar at the top of Settings if you can’t find an option.
Summary
- Turn off Character Preview to stop letter bubbles.
- Turn off Type to Siri and unused Back Tap actions.
- Keep Bluetooth keyboards connected or disconnect them.
- Swipe down or tap outside to hide the keyboard.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.