Gboard: The Smart Keyboard App Every Android User Should Have
Typing on a smartphone should be easy, fast, and even fun—and that’s exactly what Gboard, Google’s official keyboard app, aims to deliver. Whether you’re texting your best friend, writing a work email, or doing a quick Google search, Gboard provides a smooth and smart typing experience packed with useful features.
But this isn’t just another keyboard. Gboard goes beyond tapping letters. It’s like having a mini personal assistant right on your keyboard. Let’s explore how it can transform your everyday phone use.
1. Search Without Leaving Your Chat
Have you ever been mid-conversation and needed to check something on Google? Maybe you wanted to share the score of a football match or look up a funny meme. With Gboard, you don’t have to switch apps.
Just tap the little Google “G” icon in the top-left corner of the keyboard, type in your search, and you’ll get the results right there—without leaving your chat app. I’ve used this feature to quickly send weather updates to family or find the nearest coffee shop while chatting with friends.
Real-life example: I was helping my mom plan her trip while texting, and instead of jumping back and forth between apps, I just searched “Addis Ababa hotels” from Gboard and shared the results instantly. It saved me so much time.
2. Glide Typing and Voice Input: Fast and Hands-Free
Tired of tapping every single letter? Gboard’s glide typing lets you slide your finger across the keyboard to form words. It’s quicker, surprisingly accurate, and great when you’re typing one-handed—like while holding a coffee.
If you’re on the go or just don’t feel like typing at all, voice input has your back. Simply tap the microphone icon and speak naturally. Gboard’s voice typing, powered by Google’s advanced speech recognition, does a great job converting your speech into text.
Pro tip: I often use voice typing while driving (hands-free, of course) to send messages or jot down quick notes without looking at the screen.
3. Emoji and GIF Search Made Simple
Let’s be honest—sometimes a well-placed emoji says more than words. But scrolling through endless emoji menus is no fun.
With Gboard, you can search emojis by keyword. Type “laugh” or “pizza” and it brings up all relevant icons instantly. You can do the same for GIFs—type “happy birthday” and you’ll get dozens of fun animations to send.
Real-life example: My cousin was celebrating a birthday, and instead of opening a browser or another app, I found the perfect birthday GIF and sent it within seconds—all from Gboard.
4. Multilingual Typing That Just Works
If you speak more than one language, Gboard makes your life easier. You can add multiple languages, and Gboard will automatically recognize which one you’re using. It even offers suggestions in the correct language as you type.
There’s no need to switch keyboards or deal with weird autocorrections.
Example: I often text in both English and Amharic. Gboard seamlessly switches between them, suggesting the right words and fixing typos in each language—without me doing anything extra.
5. Clipboard and Text Editing Tools
Need to copy and paste something long—like an address, recipe, or caption? Gboard has a clipboard feature that saves copied text for up to an hour, making it easy to paste it into other apps.
It also comes with a text editing mode where you can precisely move the cursor, select words, and fix mistakes easily—especially helpful when editing a long message or social media post.
6. Customize Your Keyboard Look
Who says your keyboard has to be boring? With Gboard, you can change the theme, add your favorite background photo, or choose from pre-designed themes like dark mode, colorful gradients, or even minimalist looks.
You can also enable a number row, activate one-handed mode, or adjust key size based on your typing style.
Personal tip: I love using a nature photo as my keyboard background. It makes typing feel more personal and less like a chore.
7. Privacy You Can Trust
Since Gboard is a keyboard, it sees everything you type—so privacy is important. Thankfully, Google makes this clear: Gboard does not send your personal text (like passwords or private messages) to their servers.
Most suggestions and processing happen on your device, and you have full control over what data is shared. You can even choose not to send anonymous usage data.
This makes Gboard not just convenient, but also safe to use, even for sensitive conversations.
Final Thoughts
Gboard isn’t just another keyboard app. It’s a powerful productivity tool that simplifies your life and enhances how you use your phone.
From in-keyboard Google search and emoji suggestions to voice input and personalization, Gboard brings everything to your fingertips—literally.
And the best part? It’s completely free, with no ads.
Summary of Key Benefits:
• Built-in Google search
• Glide typing & voice input
• Smart emoji & GIF search
• Multilingual support
• Clipboard and editing tools
• Customizable themes
• Strong privacy settings
Try It Out Today
If you’re still using your phone’s default keyboard, it’s time for an upgrade. Download Gboard from the Play Store, set it as your default keyboard, and start exploring all the smart features.
Whether you’re typing in English, Amharic, or mixing both, Gboard is the keyboard that makes your Android experience faster, smoother, and more enjoyable.