Ever tried typing 38° on your iPhone and ended up with "38o" or just gave up? You're not alone. I remember last winter when texting friends about -10° weather, I must've sent "negative ten O" three times before googling how to type the actual degree symbol. Turns out Apple hides it better than my AirPods case.
Let me save you that frustration. After testing every method across multiple iPhone models and iOS versions, I've got you covered. Whether you're a weather buff, math teacher, or just trying to sound precise in texts, you'll find your solution here.
Why the Degree Symbol Matters More Than You Think
That tiny ° symbol pops up everywhere once you notice it. Recipes say "bake at 180°", your gym posts "pool is 28°", and your weather app constantly uses it. Without it, "it's 95 outside" could mean Fahrenheit or Celsius – big difference between a beach day and a hospital visit. Honestly, Apple could make this easier, but since they haven't, here's how to beat the system.
Method 1: The Keyboard Shortcut (Easiest for Most People)
This is my daily go-to. Takes 2 seconds once you know the trick:
Step-by-Step Guide
- Open any app where you can type (Messages, Notes, etc.)
- Switch to the numeric keyboard by tapping "123"
- Press and hold the 0 (zero) key. Don't just tap – give it a firm long press
- Slide your finger to select the ° symbol when it appears above the key
- Release to insert
Works in 90% of apps. But last week when I tried this in an old banking app? Nothing happened. Some outdated apps block special characters. If that happens, try pasting from Notes instead.
Supported Keyboard Languages
| Keyboard Type | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English (US/UK) | ✓ Yes | Most reliable |
| Spanish/French/German | ✓ Yes | Same zero key |
| Arabic/Hebrew | ✗ No | Use text replacement instead |
| Chinese/Japanese | ⚡ Partial | Only in number keyboard mode |
Method 2: Create Your Own Shortcut (Best for Frequent Use)
If you type temperatures daily like my meteorologist friend, this trick will save you hours. I set mine up 2 years ago and it's been flawless:
Setting Up Text Replacement
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard
- Tap Text Replacement → "+" icon
- In Phrase field: Paste the degree symbol (copy it from here: °)
- In Shortcut field: Type an abbreviation like deg or ;;
- Tap Save
Now whenever you type your shortcut, it instantly becomes °. I use deg because it's intuitive. My nephew uses dd because it's faster to type. Choose what feels natural.
Why this beats other methods:
- Works in every app including email subjects
- No keyboard switching needed
- Syncs across all Apple devices via iCloud
Downside? You'll get annoyed when using someone else's phone without your shortcuts. Happened at my sister's when I tried to text "heatwave 40°" and just got "40deg".
Method 3: Copy-Paste Trick (Quick Fix)
When all else fails or you just need it once:
- Copy the degree symbol from here: °
- Long-press in any text field
- Select Paste
Keep a note in your Notes app called "Symbols" with ° © ® ™ € for quick access. I've had this since 2018 – it's bailed me out countless times.
Method 4: Ask Siri (Hands-Free Option)
Works surprisingly well if you phrase it right:
- "Hey Siri, type degree symbol" → She opens Notes with ° inserted
- "Add degree sign to this message" → Works while composing texts
But try this in a quiet room. At a baseball game last month, Siri heard "type deer symbol" and gave me . Not helpful when texting about 90° heat.
Method 5: Third-Party Keyboards (For Power Users)
The default keyboard works fine, but alternatives like Gboard or SwiftKey put symbols upfront. Here's what they offer:
| Keyboard App | Degree Symbol Access | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|
| Gboard (Google) | Long press "?123" key | 2 minutes |
| SwiftKey | Special symbols toolbar | 3 minutes |
| Grammarly | Not directly available | - |
I used Gboard for 6 months. Liked the dedicated number row but switched back because autocorrect got weird. Your mileage may vary.
Why Won't My Degree Symbol Work? (Troubleshooting)
If these methods fail, here's what might be wrong:
- iOS version too old (< iOS 10): Update or use copy-paste
- App restrictions: Banking/password apps often block symbols
- Keyboard reset: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary
My iPhone 7 once stopped showing symbols after a botched update. A keyboard reset fixed it immediately.
Beyond Degrees: Other Hidden Symbols
While we're here, unlock these with similar tricks:
| Symbol | How to Type | Keyboard Location |
|---|---|---|
| © Copyright | Long press C | Alphabet keyboard |
| ™ Trademark | Long press T | Alphabet keyboard |
| € Euro | Long press $ | Numbers keyboard |
| • Bullet point | Long press - | Numbers keyboard |
Pro tip: Long press ANY symbol key to discover variations. The comma key? Turns into semicolons, en dashes, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I type the degree symbol in Instagram captions?
Absolutely. Use the keyboard shortcut method or text replacement. Works in captions, comments, and bios.
Why doesn't holding zero work on my iPhone?
Three possibilities: 1) You're not pressing firmly enough (try more pressure), 2) Your iOS is outdated (update to iOS 15+), or 3) You're using a non-Latin keyboard (switch to English temporarily).
Is there a difference between ° and º?
Big difference! ° is the real degree symbol. º is the masculine ordinal indicator (like in "1º"). They look similar but aren't interchangeable. Always use ° for temperatures.
Can I add the degree symbol to my keyboard permanently?
Not on the main keys, but with text replacement it'll feel permanent. For physical customization, try third-party keyboards.
Why do some fonts show the degree symbol differently?
Font styling varies. In Helvetica it's a perfect circle, in San Francisco it's slightly oval-shaped. But it's always recognized as the same character.
Which Method Should You Actually Use?
Based on your habits:
- Casual user (once a month): Keyboard shortcut
- Frequent texter (daily): Text replacement shortcut
- Multi-device user: Text replacement (syncs via iCloud)
- Accessibility needs: Siri or third-party keyboards
I personally use text replacement 90% of the time. Set it once and you'll type "42°" as fast as "LOL".
Final thought? It's ridiculous we still need workarounds to type such a common symbol in 2023. But until Apple redesigns the keyboard, these methods have you covered. Next time someone asks how to type the degree symbol on iPhone, send them this guide. They owe you coffee.
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