Want to add an escape key to the hardware keyboard connect to your iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini or iPad Pro? Here's how you do it.
iPadOS Lets You Add the 'Escape' Key to your Hardware Keyboard Connect to iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad mini
Apparently, the 'escape' key is super important for a lot of people out there. So important that Apple even added the hardware key back to its MacBook Pro range of laptops.
Given the type of workflow I have, even if the escape key ceases to exist on the planet completely, I won't be bothered at all. But, for those who crave the escape key on their iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro or iPad mini, for any reason at all, we will show you how you can add one.
At this point, we're sure that you have guessed it already - you need a hardware keyboard for this to work. Whether it's Apple's very own Smart Keyboard Folio, Magic Keyboard or just any regular Bluetooth keyboard, it needs to be a real one in order for this to work. This will not work with the software, on-screen keyboard.
Tutorial
Step 1. First of all, launch the Settings app on your iPad. Make sure your hardware keyboard is connected to the iPad while you do this.
Step 2. Tap on General.
Step 3. Now tap on Keyboard and then tap on Hardware Keyboard.
Step 4. Tap on Modifier Keys.
Step 5. Select the key which you want to turn into the escape key. For this tutorial, I'll be going with the Control key.
Step 6. Now tap on Escape.
That's it. Whenever you press down on the Control key, it will act as Escape. Obviously, it doesn't have to be the Control key at all. You can choose between the Caps Lock, Option, Command, Control and Globe keys. We wish there was an option to assign a completely custom key for this, therefore you have to make do with the options that are given to you.
The one place the escape key could come in handy is when you're remotely accessing your Windows PC or Mac on your iPad. And if you're typing away code, then it makes a lot of sense too. Other than that, iPadOS doesn't want to play ball with escape, that's why Apple didn't even feel the need to add a key to its range of keyboards for iPad.
For more helpful guides and tutorials, head over to this section.
