Do I need a specific keyboard to use GarageBand shortcuts on iPad?

Any external keyboard connected over Bluetooth or USB works. Apple does not require a specific model, just a keyboard connection recognized by iPadOS.

How do I see the list of GarageBand keyboard shortcuts directly on my iPad?

Turn on Windowed Apps or Stage Manager in Settings > Multitasking & Gestures, then swipe down from or move the mouse pointer to the top of the screen to view the shortcut menus.

Is the coaching tips shortcut available on iPhone too?

No. Show/Hide coaching tips (H) is the one keyboard shortcut Apple documents for GarageBand on iPad that does not appear on the iPhone shortcut list.

GarageBand Keyboard Shortcuts for iPad

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

If you have an external keyboard connected to your iPad, 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/Hide coaching tips: H
Show Help: Opt+H

Intro

GarageBand on iPad 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 set iPhone uses, plus one iPad-only shortcut for coaching tips.

iPad-specific shortcut notes

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

Stage Manager menus. If Windowed Apps or Stage Manager is turned on in Settings > Multitasking & Gestures, swiping down from or moving the mouse pointer to the top of the iPad screen shows menus listing the available keyboard shortcuts, useful for a quick on-screen reference without leaving the app.

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.

One iPad-only shortcut. H shows or hides coaching tips, a shortcut Apple documents for iPad but not for iPhone.

Printable PDF

The GarageBand iPad 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.