HOLIDAY70% OFFMemoKey vs iPhone Text Replacement
Text Replacement is built into iPhone: type a short shortcut and Apple’s keyboard puts in the phrase. MemoKey keeps longer texts as notes and inserts them from its own keyboard. Here is how they compare, using Apple’s help pages for Text Replacement.
Side by side
Yes, Partly, No; Pro = part of MemoKey Pro, an optional in-app purchase; — = not covered by the product’s public help pages, so we leave it out.
| Feature | MemoKey | Text Replacement (iPhone) |
|---|---|---|
| Puts saved text into any app | YesFrom the MemoKey keyboard, in apps that allow added keyboards (not in password fields) | YesType the shortcut with Apple’s keyboard and the phrase replaces it |
| Keeps a text until you delete it | YesNotes stay until you delete them; deleted notes wait 30 days in Trash | YesSaved in the keyboard settings |
| Long texts with several lines | YesLong notes with many lines, inserted in one tap | PartlyMade for phrases you call up with a short shortcut |
| Tags and search | YesTags (10 free, unlimited with Pro) and search in the app; the keyboard lists notes by tag | NoOne list of shortcuts and phrases |
| Lock a note with a passcode | ProPasscode, Face ID or fingerprint per note with Pro; locking the whole app is free | Not covered |
| Works offline, no account | YesNo sign-up and no account; everything works without a connection | Not covered |
| Vietnamese | YesApp and keyboard in Vietnamese; search ignores accents, so “dia chi” finds “địa chỉ” | Not covered |
| Backup and a new phone | YesOptional backup to your own iCloud (iPhone) or Google Drive (Android), automatic every hour; export to JSON, CSV or Markdown | YesiCloud keeps them in sync on your Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account |
| Free to use | YesFree; Pro is an optional in-app purchase | YesBuilt into iPhone, iPad and Mac |
Moving from Text Replacement
From MemoKey 3.7 you can bring your shortcuts along. On a Mac, drag your Text Replacements from System Settings > Keyboard > Text Replacements into a folder, send the “Text Substitutions.plist” file to your phone and pick it in Restore from Backup. Each shortcut becomes a note titled with the shortcut, tagged Text Replacements; ones you already have are skipped.
Step-by-step: bring your text shortcutsIn short
Text Replacement is better when a few words should expand while you type: it is built in, needs no switching and syncs over iCloud. MemoKey is better for long texts with several lines, sorted by tags and found by search, with optional backup and per-note locks with Pro. Many people use both: shortcuts for short phrases, MemoKey for whole replies and templates.
Questions
- Is MemoKey a replacement for Text Replacement?
- Not exactly. Text Replacement expands a shortcut as you type with Apple’s keyboard. MemoKey’s keyboard is for saved notes: you switch to it, tap a note and switch back. It suits longer texts you reuse.
- Can I keep long, multi-line texts?
- In MemoKey, yes: notes can be long with many lines and go in with one tap. Text Replacement is made for phrases you call up with a short shortcut.
- Does MemoKey need an account or iCloud?
- No. MemoKey works offline with no account. Backup to your own iCloud is optional.
Sources
What this page says about the other app comes from these public pages (October 2026). Products change; their own pages are the final word.
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