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GarageBand Keyboard Shortcuts for iPhone

Keyboard shortcuts for GarageBand on iPhone with an external keyboard connected. Covers playback, track selection, recording, region editing, and Live Loops.
Key label style

Keyboard shortcuts

If you have an external keyboard connected to your iPhone, you can use keyboard shortcuts in Tracks view to play, navigate, and edit your GarageBand song.

Start or stop playback
Space
Go to the beginning
Return
Move forward
.
Move back
,
Create a new track
Cmd+Opt+N
Duplicate the selected track
Cmd+D
Delete the selected track
Cmd+Fwd Del
Select previous track
Up
Select next track
Down
Solo the selected track
S
Mute the selected track
M
Undo
Cmd+Z
Redo
Cmd+Shift+Z
Select all regions or cells
Cmd+A
Delete the selected regions
Fwd Del
Select the previous region on the selected track
Left
Select the next region on the selected track
Right
Add previous region to selection
Shift+Left
Add next region to selection
Shift+Right
Split selected region or event at the playhead
Cmd+T
Join selected regions or notes
Cmd+J
Cut
Cmd+X
Copy
Cmd+C
Paste
Cmd+V
Loop the selected region
L
Start recording
R
Turn the metronome on/off
K
Turn count-in on/off
Shift+K
Show/Hide Remix FX
Opt+R
Show/Hide Automation
A
Open Loop Browser
O
Instrument Browser - Previous Instrument
Left
Instrument Browser - Next Instrument
Right
Show Help
Opt+H

Intro

GarageBand on iPhone needs an external keyboard, Bluetooth or USB, connected before any of these shortcuts respond. Once one is connected, Command-based shortcuts work in Tracks view for playback, track management, and region editing, the same modifier convention as GarageBand on Mac.

iPhone-specific shortcut notes

External keyboard required. Without one connected, GarageBand on iPhone is touch-only; none of these shortcuts are available from the on-screen keyboard.

Left and Right Arrow do double duty. The same keys select the previous or next region in Tracks view, and separately step through instruments in the Instrument Browser, depending on which one is open.

Live Loops. These shortcuts apply in Tracks view. GarageBand's Live Loops grid on iPhone is primarily touch-driven.

Printable PDF

The GarageBand iPhone shortcut list is available as a printable PDF. The recording and region-editing shortcuts are the most useful for quick keyboard-driven sessions.

FAQ

Need more than shortcuts?
Visit the GarageBand app page for an overview and helpful links.

Want to suggest a new app, report a bug, or get help? Email us at info@hkeys.app.

For anything else or just a quick hello, write to us at info@hkeys.app.