20+ Best Gboard tips and tricks for Android in 2024

Gboard is one of the best keyboard apps for Android out there because of its ton of features to try and customize. Sadly, not everyone is aware of these hidden features of Gboard. But don’t worry; I am going to take you through some of the best tips and tricks of Gboard for Android.

So you can enhance your overall typing experience and boost productivity swiftly. Whether you’re a power user or a casual texter, there’s something for everyone. Read on to learn more, and for visual content, you can have a look at the YouTube video on Gboard tips and tricks attached at the end of the article.

1. Access Google Translate

When it comes to using Google Keyboard on Android, there is a plethora of useful shortcut tricks that I found to be true lifesavers. One such standout feature is quick access to Google Translate. It enables seamless language translation directly in any text field.

1. Access Gboard on your Android device.
2. Tap the Google Translate option.
3. Choose your first language and the second language into which you’d like to translate the text.
   Simply tap the bubble and pick any language.
4. Now, enter the desired text in the dialogue box.
5. Doing so will automatically translate the text for the app or chat you’re currently on.
   Like I did on the Google search engine.
   
   

With this important addition, you can gain access to a wide variety of languages in an instant without leaving the current app. Hence, it is an invaluable feature for professionals working in multilingual environments or having international collaborations.

2. Enable one-handed mode

If you’re typing on the go, using both hands can often become hefty. Thankfully, Gboard allows you to control the keyboard with one hand. It makes it more convenient to reach all keys comfortably.

1. Tap the menu bar in Gboard.
2. Drag and drop the one-handed option in the toolbar.
   
   
3. Now, tap the One-Handed icon from the Gboard toolbar.
4. Switch between left-hand and right-hand modes by tapping the arrow icon.
5. You can further tap the resize icon to adjust the keyboard to your liking.
6. To exit from the One-Handed mode, tap the One-handed icon from the toolbar or tap the Expand icon.
   
   

As a result, you can type comfortably even with one hand while using devices larger than your hands.

3. Set up Floating keyboard mode

When it comes to increasing productivity with Gboard tricks, we shall leave no stone unturned. If you’d like to use the Gboard on your terms, the Floating mode can help.

But before we begin, you must arrange the Floating Keyboard button in the toolbar of Gboard.

1. Open Gboard on your device.
2. Tap the menu icon.
3. Now, drag and drop the Floating option on the Gboard toolbar.
   
   
4. Head back to the keyboard.
5. To enable the Floating mode, simply tap the Floating icon.
   Once enabled, you can drag the keyboard anywhere on the screen and further resize it to your liking.
6. You can exit this mode anytime by tapping the Floating icon again.
   
   

4. Use double-space to add period

Do you also hate to stop your typing flow just to add a period and then start again? If yes, this Gboard trick will surely impress you. Often, adding a period requires one to change the keyboard interface.

But not anymore! While typing, as you are about to end your sentence, simply tap the spacebar twice and this action will add a period and space automatically.

5. Change the keyboard appearance

Customization is the essence of Android, and it remains valid for Gboard as well. Gboard allows users to choose from a variety of themes and decorate their keyboard to their liking. Yes, you’ve read it right.

Being an Iron Man fan, this is one of my favorites.

1. Open Gboard via any app or note.
2. Tap the Theme icon → Select any theme that suits your taste.
3. It features a ton of options in categories titled Default, Colors, Landscapes, Light gradient, and Dark gradient.
4. You may have to download some of these themes to apply them to your Gboard.
   
   
5. For more personalization, go to the top and tap the add (+) icon under My Themes.
6. Now, choose an image from the Photos or Albums gallery.
7. Adjust the image in the given frame → Tap Next.
   
   
8. Set the brightness to your liking → Tap Done.
9. You can further choose to enable or disable Key borders.
10. Once the keyboard theme is set to your liking, hit Apply.
11. Voila, your all-new personalized keyboard, is good to go!
    
    

In this way, you can enjoy a visually appealing keyboard that matches your style or mood.

6. Permanent number row

I hate jumping back and forth to type numbers. It is very frustrating and disrupts my writing flow. However, Gboard offers a way you can permanently place a number row above the regular QWERTY keyboard. Here’s what you have to do:

1. Tap the settings icon displayed on the Gboard.
2. Select Preferences.
3. Toggle on the Number row.
   
   
4. Now, access the Gboard again and enjoy quick access to the number row.

This Gboard tip is a small but necessary adjustment that will help you deal with numerical inputs such as phone numbers or passwords on Android.

7. Show emoji switch key to your Gboard

Another handy Gboard trick I find useful and use daily is the Emoji switch keys feature. It gives you one-tap access to the emoji library without switching keyboards and saves the trouble of searching for emojis in a separate menu.

1. Access the Gboard keyboard settings menu.
2. Choose Preferences.
3. Enable the Show emoji-switch key.
   
   

This action will replace the language switch key with an emoji icon if you’ve multiple languages set up. Now, while typing, you can tap the small emoji icon and get quick access to all smileys, emoticons, stickers, GIFs, and much more.

So, this intuitive functionality not only saves time but also makes expressing oneself through visual elements effortless.

8. Search for emojis on Google Keyboard

The emoji library features a ton of emoticons based on different moods and expressions. However, there are times when you’re in a hurry and cannot find that one emoji that complements your text the best.

This is where the Google Keyboard shortcut to search for emojis directly within the keyboard interface can help you.

1. Open the Emoji library on your Gboard.
2. Tap the search bar.
3. Enter any expression or mood.
   • I typed happy.
4. Now, all emojis that reflect the same context will appear.
   
   

This makes it easy to find the right emoji without scouring through the vast ocean of expressions.

Moreover, Gboard also provides smart suggestions based on context, making it easier than ever to express oneself through emojis.

9. Use the spacebar as a trackpad

Do you just hate it when you’ve got to delete a small section from a big paragraph? When I am typing long messages or emails on my Android phone, it’s very hard to correct that one misspell from the paragraph.

Fortunately, the Gboard can also work as a mini trackpad. It transforms the spacebar into a touch-sensitive area that allows users to easily move their cursor and precisely position it within text.

Simply press and hold the spacebar and glide through the text as you like. Hence, you can quickly edit and correct mistakes, enhancing the overall typing experience.

10. Add custom phrases to Personal Dictionary

If you’re tired of repeatedly typing the same information in different places, you’ll love this Gboard trick on Android. Personally, I dislike entering my address on websites while shopping online. So, I use this easy Gboard hack.

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go to System → Select Keyboard.
3. Tap Personal dictionary.
   
   
4. Tap the (+) icon from the top-right corner.
5. Enter the text phrase of your liking.
6. Now, assign a shortcut to the phrase.
   
   
7. Once set, tap Done from the keyboard or Exit the interface.

Now, as you type the respective shortcut, your Gboard will recommend the saved phrase.

This empowers individuals who frequently use specific jargon or industry-related terms to have those phrases readily available while typing.

11. Access Fraction action

As we’re going through high-quality tips and tricks to turn you into a master of Gboard, there’s another feature that can come in real handy. With the help of the Fraction action, you can effortlessly access complex fractions with ease.

1. Open Gboard on your Android device.
2. Tap the key representing ?123.
3. As the new keyboard layout appears, press and hold any number.
4. A new pop-up will appear with the supported fraction.
5. Slide through the available options and select the one that you require.
   
   

This advanced Gboard feature is particularly useful for students or individuals dealing with numerical data regularly.

12. Enable Autospace after punctuations

One of the most useful Gboard tips for Android users is enabling the auto-space feature after punctuation. This feature automatically inserts a space after punctuation marks, saving time and reducing errors.

To enable this function,

1. Go to the Gboard settings.
2. Tap on Text Correction.
3. Toggle on Autospace after punctuations.
   
   

Thanks to this simple yet powerful Google Keyboard shortcut, users can efficiently type long sentences or paragraphs without having to manually insert spaces after each punctuation mark.

Furthermore, this function ensures proper grammar usage, as it prevents run-on sentences or misplaced spaces in text messages or documents.

13. Use Google voice search

One of the cool Gboard features on Android is the voice search feature, which can greatly enhance efficiency and convenience. With Gboard opened,

1. Tap the microphone icon located on the keyboard.
2. As your keyboard prompts, Speak now and narrate your input.
3.  Now, the narrated input will appear as text in its respective place.
   
   

This amazing feature allows you to conduct hands-free searches, compose messages, or dictate texts with incredible accuracy.

Furthermore, Goard’s voice dictation also supports various languages, making it an excellent tool for multilingual individuals.

Further, Gboard’s built-in Android System Intelligence ensures real-time transcription when you use voice input, ensuring that you will hear exactly what you say.

14. Fast character access on Android

If you’re tired of accessing a different menu to use symbols or special characters, this trick will save much of your time. Yes, you’ve read it right. This trick allows you to use commonly used symbols without any hassle.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Press and hold the ?123 key and drag it through your keyboard.
2. Take it to the character or number of your choice.
3. Now, lift your finger.
4. Doing so, the character will be inserted, and your keyboard will return to the QWERTY panel.
   
   

We’re not done here. By long-pressing certain keys on the keyboard, users can reveal a range of related characters and symbols.

For instance, if you press keys like the dollar sign ($), options such as pound (£), euro (€), and yen (¥) signs appear. It can significantly reduce the need for repetitive navigation between different keyboard layouts or inserting characters manually.

15. Customize Gboard suggestion control

Another tip that can streamline your typing experience on Android is the suggestion control of Gboard. With the help of auto-correction and predictive text, Gboard can help you indefinitely.

To personalize your Gboard:

1. Tap the Settings icon in Gboard.
2. Select Text Correction.
3. Here, you can customize a series of actions for your Gboard.
4. There are popular categories like Suggestions, Corrections, Spelling and Grammar.
   
   
5. Enable the features that you’d like to use in your day-to-day lives.

Remember to customize these suggestions according to your preferences rather than relying solely on them.

16. Swipe to delete gesture on Gboard

When typing long paragraphs, I also find the ability to delete text with a gesture very helpful. Users can delete a whole text string by holding the delete key and swiping left.

This saves time and effort as there’s no need to go back and individually delete each character or word. Additionally, this gesture is incredibly intuitive and smooth, providing a seamless typing experience.

Whether you’re writing lengthy emails or composing quick messages, the Gesture Delete feature allows for efficient editing without interrupting your flow.

17. Switch keyboard language on Android

Regarding the optimized language usage on Android, Gboard offers a direct and simple way to change languages while typing. You can seamlessly switch between multiple languages in one tap.

1. Starting off, go to your Gboard settings.
2. Select Languages.
3. Press Add keyboard and add a language of your preference.
   
   
4. Once added, head back to the Settings menu.
5. Select Preferences.
6. Toggle on the Show language switch key.
   
   
7. Finally, access the Gboard keyboard on your Android device.
8. Now, as you press the Globe key, the keyboard language will change instantly.
9. In case you’ve added multiple languages, press and hold the Globe icon and select the one you prefer.
   
   

Alternatively, you can long-press the spacebar or the keyboard icon in the bottom-right corner and select a language you desire.

This feature is perfect for multilingual individuals or those who frequently communicate in different languages.

18. Use stickers in Gboard

There’s no denying the fact that stickers can really elevate a conversation. But what if I tell you that with Gboard, you can access and enjoy the library of your favorite stickers in one tap?

To use this feature effectively,

1. Tap the Sticker icon within Gboard.
2. Choose any sticker that grabs your interest.
3. You can go through the library or search for specific GIFs.
   
   

Also, Gboard suggests relevant stickers based on the chat conversations. Besides, you can look for a preferred sticker from the search bar. It is a lifesaver for users who prefer visual expressions over words.

19. Generate emoji combos using Gboard on Android

The ability of emojis often goes unnoticed. Many users are still not aware they can mix two emojis to create unique and expressive combinations.

1. Go to the Settings menu of Gboard.
2. Select Preferences → Toggle on the Show emoji switch key.
   
   
3. Head back to the main page and choose the Emojis, stickers, and GIFs option.
4. Enable Emoji Stickers.
   
   
5. Now, access any chat to open Gboard.
6. Tap the emoji icon on the keyboard.
7. Select any two emojis of your choice.
8. At the top, a new sticker menu will appear, representing the combination of selected emojis.
   
   
9. Swipe right at the stickers bar to discover all suggestions.
10. Simply choose any one of these to make your conversation more fun and engaging.

Exploring this mix-and-match functionality within Gboard’s emoji library is definitely worth trying.

20. Enhance your clipboard 

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were copying and pasting data from one document to another, only to realize that the data you previously moved is not properly placed in the new document?

If so, you would have to go back to the original file, copy the data again, and paste it into the new document. This can be quite frustrating and time-consuming.

By using clipboard on your Gboard keyboard, you can keep track of previously copied data and use it later however you like.

1. Launch the Gboard keyboard on your Android device.
2. Open the menu bar.
3. Hold and drag the Clipboard icon to the toolbar.
   
   
4. Now, tap the clipboard from the Gboard toolbar.
5. Select the Turn on Clipboard option to proceed.
   
   
6. From this point forward, all of your copied information will be readily available on Clipboard.
7. Be it text, screenshots, or phone numbers, you can paste your previously copied data in one tap.

Note: There’s a limit to this feature as well. It can hold a handful of information together. Once it reaches the limit, the clipboard will keep on replacing old data with new ones.

21. Share GIFs from Gboard itself

If you’re a fan of GIFs, this Google Keyboard trick is simply perfect for you. Gboard consists of an extensive library of animated images covering various themes and emotions.

1. Open the Emoji menu on your Gboard.
2. Go to the GIF menu.
3. Now, scroll or search to locate your favorite GIF.
4. Tap the GIF you like to send it.
   
   

Whether you want to add humor to a conversation or express yourself in a more visual way, Gboard’s GIF integration simplifies the process.

22. Enable Handwriting mode

Gboard can be more than a keyboard, a blank slate. Yes, with Gboard, users can scribble text on their Android devices via fingers or stylus. To enable this setting:

1. Tap the Settings icon in Gboard.
2. Select Languages.
   
   
3. Here, you can take on either of the following actions:
   • If you wish to enable handwriting mode for an added keyboard, select the language → Tap Handwriting → Done.
   • Alternatively, tap Add Keyboard → Choose a language → Select the Handwriting mode → Hit Done.
     I have demonstrated the process by altering the existing keyboard.
     
     
4. Now, access Gboard on your Android device.
5. Press and hold the Globe key and select Handwriting for the respective language.
6. You can now write in the added language, and it will smartly reflect the same as input.
   
   
7. The space bar and delete key work the same.

With smart recognition technology, Gboard can accurately identify and convert written text into digital format. Hence, it proves useful when typing is inconvenient or difficult, such as in situations where one is wearing gloves, has limited mobility, or prefers handwritten notes over typed ones.

Video: Gboard tips and tricks for Android

Elevate your Gboard skills!

Gboard is an amazing keyboard addition for all Android users. From using voice dictation to accessing emojis and GIFs, the Gboard tips and tricks for Android we’ve covered in this article will help you boost your efficiency and productivity.

So, what are you waiting for? Try out these tricks for yourself today and take your Android game to the next level!

Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.