How to use your iPhone 6 Plus one-handed

February 17, 2015

The iPhone 6 Plus has an amazing 5.5-inch 1080p display, but while bigger is better for apps and the web, bigger can also be harder to use one-handed. With a smaller display, it's easier to balance the phone and reach your thumb all the way up and across, from corner to corner. With a larger display, you may need to shift your grip more and maybe even bring the interface elements to you.

1. Put your best hand forward

Just because you're right or left handed, doesn't mean that hand will be the best one to hold your phone. Some people prefer using their dominant hand, others want to keep it free for other things. For example, I prefer using my iPhone with my right hand, even though I'm left handed. Spend some time using your iPhone in both hands and figure out which one is easier for you.

That'll be the hand you use for the rest of these tips.

2. Grip higher

Most of us have learned to grip the iPhone at the bottom. Now that the iPhone 6 Plus is here, however, it pays to grip it higher. Teach yourself to bring your hand up so it rests slightly below the middle of the phone. This way you can still reach the bottom but your thumb can also reach closer to the top.

3. Optimize your apps

Now that you know what hand is best for you, pick up your iPhone 6 Plus and fan your thumb across the screen. That's the sweet spot — the area that's easiest for you to reach. And that's where you should arrange all your most-used apps. So, for example, if you're holding your iPhone in your left hand, the bottom left is where you'll want to cluster your go-to apps.

4. Reach for Reachability

For apps, buttons, and other elements that aren't in the sweet spot, there's Reachability, which brings the entire interface halfway down the display. Since it's new, it won't be habitual. If you make a conscious effort to use it, however, you can make it a reflex. Any time you find yourself straining to reach the top of the screen, don't use your other hand, practice using Reachability instead.

How to better use the iPhone 6 an 6 Plus one-handed with Reachability

5. The slide

Once you get better at using your iPhone 6 Plus one handed, The balance will click and you'll get better at shifting your grip around as well. In other words, you'll get better at relaxing your hand, letting your iPhone slide a bit higher or lower, and then tightening your grip again. It'll let you expand your up-and-down each, and the area where you can hit apps and buttons.

6. The turn

What the slide does for up-and-down, the turn does for side-to-side. By resting the side of your iPhone 6 Plus on your palm, a turn of your wrist lets your thumb reach the previously unreachable — even without Reachability. You'll still need the previous tips from time to time, but with the slide and the turn, you'll need them less often.

7. The pinky plank

Extreme situations call for extreme grips. Once you've mastered the slide and the turn, you can go for gold with the pinky plank. When you need to reach something on the extreme opposite of the screen, balance your iPhone 6 Plus on your pinky, and then reach your finger all the way up and across. It gives you both stability and flexibility.

8. The case for cases

Some people find the iPhone 6 Plus slippery. If you're one of them, it'll make one-handed use more stressful and perhaps even more accident prone. To compensate for it, you can use a case. You'll want one that's got some grip, but not one that restricts your grip. That means thin and smooth.

Apple iPhone Leather Case - $49.00 - Order now
Case-Mate Tough Air Case - $24.95 - Order now
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Your tips

The iPhone 6 Plus has an incredible display but its size makes using it one handed a challenge. These are some of the tips that I used to make myself as productive as possible with my iPhone 6 Plus when I need to use it one handed. With some practice and attention, it's surprising just how good anyone can get.

If you're using an iPhone 6 Plus one-handed, let me know how you're doing, and more importantly — let me know your tips!