Gboard is arguably the best virtual keyboard ever, so it’s no surprise that it comes pre-installed on most Android phones. While many people use it every day, most treat it as a simple, basic writing tool rather than the productivity hub it really is.
Even if you’ve been using Gboard for years and explored its options, there’s still a good chance you don’t know all the power-user tricks it hides under the hood. Here are some advanced tricks that will not only save you time on your phone, but will also make it much more convenient and fun.
Write with one hand using one-handed mode
Thumb typing at its finest
Writing with one hand is nothing new; in fact, it is one of the Gboard main features. And although the app makes it very easy to switch to one-handed mode, the vast majority of people never use it because they forget or don’t know it exists.
To enable it, simply tap the four square grid icon to open the characteristics menuand then play with one hand. The keyboard will shift slightly to the left or right; You can change sides by touching the either > icon. There is also an option to resize the one-handed keyboard if it is too small for your preferences.
If you’re in a hurry and need to type while holding something in your other hand, like a grocery bag, this feature makes one-thumb typing much easier.
Search and translate without leaving the keyboard
Translating text has never been easier
Google has made language translation on our phones easier and easier with each new update to Android and Google apps, with Gboard being one of the top apps to get. Phenomenal Google Translate integration.
If you’re chatting with someone who speaks a different language, like an international business partner or an Airbnb host, this is extremely helpful. It means you will no longer have to switch between a translation app and your chat, as the entire conversation can be handled directly through Gboard.
You can access Translate by opening the features menu and playing Translate.
A translation strip opens above the keyboard and from there you can set which language you’re translating to and from and then simply type your message. As if by magic, the translated text will appear in the text bar within a second, while the translation strip shows the original text.
Copy more than one thing with Clipboard history
Access a complete library of copied text and screenshots
The Gboard Clipboard is a real time saver. If you are familiar with Clipboard History on Windows PCYou will easily recognize the value this feature brings. In essence, The clipboard shows a history of recently copied text and screenshotsinstead of just the last element you get when you paste.
This allows you to store and access multiple pieces of text, even if you don’t need them right away. it’s a incredibly useful and versatile featureand I honestly can’t imagine using my phone without it; the key is to remember to use it.
You can access it by opening the functions menu and tapping Clipboard. Since it’s very useful and something you’ll probably use all the time, I highly recommend setting it to automatically appear in the suggestions bar by tapping, dragging, and dropping the Clipboard into the suggestions strip at the top of Gboard.
Slide Typing Is Better Than You Think
Slide like you’ve never done before
Slide typing (also known as slide) is an amazing alternative to thumb typing. Although it is It is not the fastest method For those of us who have mastered thumb typing, many people find slide typing more comfortable and convenient.
If the last time you tried swipe typing was in 2013, when quick key was in the headlines and you hated it, you should give the show another chance. Thanks to more accurate predictions, machine learning and various other improvements such as quick gestureGboard’s Glide Typing proves to be a valuable solution for tired thumbs and quick texting on the go.
You can enable swipe typing by heading to Gboard settings, scrolling down to Slide typingand alternating Slide typing in. Just like that, you can use your finger to slide across the keyboard from key to key to form words.
Recover accidentally deleted text using hidden Undo and Redo buttons
Bet you didn’t know your phone also had Ctrl+Z
Undo and Redo are easily the most useful tools in modern computing. They’ve saved me hundreds of hours of work I would have otherwise wasted over the years on my PC, and I can’t believe how long it took me to realize that Gboard has this feature too.
You’re probably already familiar with how Undo and Redo work, but in case you need a refresher, Undo reverses your last action (for example, if you deleted a word, Undo can bring it back), while Redo restores it if you touched Undo by mistake and want to revert it.
You can access Undo (and, by extension, Redo) in it features menuand like the Clipboard, it is another of those buttons that you are going to use so much that you should consider placing it in the quick access options.
Customize your Gboard to make it truly yours
This article has featured some of the most interesting features of Gboard which you may not be using, but trust me when I say we’re barely scratching the surface here. Gboard is a great keyboard in its “standard” configuration, but since it’s incredibly customizable, you need to learn how to take advantage of it. I encourage you to dive into Gboard’s settings and review each option to see what’s available.
