Typing on a smartphone should be fast, easy, and intuitive—and that’s exactly what Gboard, Google’s official keyboard app, delivers. Whether you’re chatting with friends, writing emails, or searching the web, Gboard offers powerful features that improve your typing experience while keeping everything smooth and simple.
In this post, we’ll explore what makes Gboard one of the best keyboard apps available today. From built-in Google Search to multilingual typing, here’s why you should consider switching to Gboard—or start using it more efficiently if you already have it.
1. Built-in Google Search at Your Fingertips
One of Gboard’s standout features is the built-in Google Search bar. Imagine you’re texting a friend and want to share a nearby restaurant, weather info, or trending news—you can do it without ever leaving the chat. Just tap the Google “G” icon on the keyboard, type your query, and instantly send the result.
This small but powerful feature saves you time and makes multitasking a breeze.
2. Glide Typing and Voice Input
Tired of typing every letter manually? Gboard supports glide typing—also known as swipe typing—where you slide your finger from letter to letter. It’s much faster than tapping keys and surprisingly accurate once you get used to it.
Prefer speaking over typing? Gboard’s voice typing feature is excellent. Just tap the microphone icon and start speaking. The app will convert your words to text with impressive accuracy, powered by Google’s speech recognition technology.
3. Emoji and GIF Search Made Easy
Finding the right emoji or GIF can sometimes be a hassle, especially when you’re in the middle of a conversation. Gboard makes it simple. You can search for emojis by name (try typing “happy” or “dog”), and you’ll instantly see matching icons.
The same goes for GIFs. Tap the GIF icon, enter a keyword like “funny” or “happy birthday,” and you’ll get a collection of relevant animations to send instantly.
This makes your chats more expressive without wasting time scrolling endlessly.
4. Multilingual Typing Support
If you speak more than one language, Gboard has you covered. You can add multiple languages and switch between them effortlessly. Even better, Gboard can detect which language you’re typing in and suggest appropriate words and corrections—without you needing to switch keyboards manually.
This is especially useful for bilingual users or people who regularly mix languages while chatting.
5. Clipboard and Text Editing Tools
Gboard includes a built-in clipboard that stores copied text for up to an hour. This makes it easy to copy and paste between apps, especially if you’re dealing with longer messages or social media captions.
There’s also a handy text editing mode, accessible via the three-dot menu. It lets you move the cursor precisely, select words quickly, and delete text more efficiently—perfect for editing longer messages or documents on your phone.
6. Custom Themes and Layouts
Everyone likes a personalized phone, and Gboard lets you customize your keyboard to match your style. Choose from dozens of themes, including light and dark modes, or use your own photo as a keyboard background.
You can also adjust key height, layout, and even toggle number rows or one-handed mode—giving you complete control over how your keyboard looks and functions.
7. Privacy You Can Trust
With a keyboard app, privacy matters. Gboard processes most of your typing suggestions and voice input on your device—not on Google servers. It doesn’t send your personal text (like passwords or messages) to Google.
Of course, you can still opt in to share anonymous data to help improve predictions, but the choice is yours. This makes Gboard not only smart but also trustworthy.
Final Thoughts
Gboard is more than just a basic keyboard—it’s a smart productivity tool built right into your Android device. It simplifies typing, enhances your conversations, and makes communication faster and more fun.