While the issue of Keyboard Lag or Slow iPhone Keyboard is more commonly reported after an iOS update, this issue can also occur at other times due a variety of reasons.
Also, the problem is not necessarily limited to iMessage, as users have reported experiencing the Keyboard lag on iPhone while using WhatsApp, Facebook and Safari browser.
iPhone Keyboard Lag: Slow iPhone Keyboard
If the Keyboard on your iPhone has become slow or getting stuck, you should be able to fix the problem using the following methods.
1. Reset Keyboard Dictionary
Resetting the keyboard dictionary has helped many users to fix the issue of Keyboard Lag on iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. On the next screen, select the Reset option
3. On the pop-up, select Reset Keyboard Dictionary option.
4. Enter your Lock Screen Passcode > tap on Reset Dictionary to confirm.
2. Disable Predictive Text
The Predictive Text feature is designed to make typing faster on iPhone. However, this feature can also slow down the keyboard.
1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
2. On the next screen, move the toggle next to Predictive to OFF position.
After this try to use the Keyboard and you should be able to notice an improvement in its speed.
3. Enable Reduce Motion
The motion settings on iPhone control visual effects like popping up of letters as you type, app transitions and other animations. Reducing the Motion of user interface can help in speeding up the virtual keyboard on your iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > General > Accessibility
2. From the next screen, go to Reduce Motion > move the toggle next to Reduce Motion to ON position.
4. Disable All Keyboard Settings
iPhone keyboard has plenty of customization options like autocorrect, smart punctuation, auto-capitalization, spelling check and others.
Try disabling these features one-by-one and see if this helps in fixing the Keyboard lag on your iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
2. On the next screen, disable Auto-Correction, Auto-Capitalization and other keyboard option.
If this did not help, turn OFF more features and test the Keyboard.
5. Install Update
Sometimes, the problem is due to an update waiting to be installed on your device.
1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Allow iPhone to check for updates > tap on Install (if an Update becomes available).
6. Force Restart iPhone
If you are still experiencing Keyboard lag on iPhone, follow the steps below to Force Restart iPhone and this should fix the problem on your device.
iPhone 8 and above: Press and release Volume Up > Volume Down buttons > and then press and hold the Side button (ON/OFF), until Apple logo appears.
iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold Volume Down + Power (ON/OFF) buttons, until you see Apple logo.
iPhone 6 and below: Press and hold Home + Power (ON/OFF) buttons, until you see iPhone starting with Apple logo.