How to create custom keyboard shortcuts on your iPhone or iPad

Yes, it’s a lot easier to just type “ut” on the iPhone’s virtual keypad than it is to tap out “You there?” The only problem is that not everyone will know what “ut” means, not to mention “omw” (on my way) or even the ubiquitous “omg” (oh my god!).

Luckily, there’s a new feature in iOS 5 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch that lets you set up your own custom, time-saving keyboard shortcuts—perfect for spelling out exactly what you mean, without having to type all those letters.

You can create a series of custom shortcuts in the Keyboard settings of your iPhone or iPad.

Here’s what you do:

1. On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, tap Settings, General, then Keyboard.
2. Scroll down to the Shortcuts section, then tap “Add New Shortcut.”
3. In the blank next to “Phrase,” type in “You there?” Then, in the Shortcut section, tap in the letters “u” and “t.”
4. Tap the “Save” button. All done!

Now, let’s give our new shortcut a try. Go to Messages, compose a new message, and tap “ut.” A bubble should appear right above the text, with our new “You there?” shortcut. Press the space bar or a punctuation mark to accept.