Use your keyboard

You can enter text and use images, like emojis and GIFs. You can change your keyboard language without changing your mobile device's language. You can handwrite words on your keyboard to enter text.

Important: Gboard is available for iPhones and iPads with iOS 9 and up.

Get started with Gboard

Write with Gboard

1. On your iPhone or iPad, install Gboard.
2. Open any app that you can write with, such as Gmail or Keep.
3. Tap where you can enter text. From here, you can:
   • Move your cursor: Swipe left or right on the space bar.
   • Turn on caps lock: Double-tap Shift . To turn it off again, tap Shift .
   • Find accents and more options: Touch and hold a key.

Use emojis and GIFs

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open any app that you can write with, such as Gmail or Keep.
2. Tap where you can enter text.
3. Tap the Emoji icon . From here, you can:
   • Insert emojis: Tap one or more emojis.
   • Insert a GIF: Tap GIF. Then choose the GIF that you want.
4. Tap Send .

Tip: To go back to entering letters, tap ABC.

Customise your keyboard layout

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap Keyboard Keyboards.
4. Add or turn on the layout that you want to use.

Manage language settings on Gboard

Add a language

When you use Gboard, your iPhone or iPad's language settings aren't affected.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, install Gboard.
2. Open any app that you can type with, such as Gmail or Keep.
3. Tap where you can enter text.
4. At the bottom of your keyboard, touch and hold globe .
5. Tap Settings Languages.
6. Tap Add language.
7. Tap the language that you want to turn on.

Switch between languages

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open any app that you can type with, such as Gmail or Keep.
2. Tap where you can enter text.
3. At the bottom of the keyboard, touch and hold Globe .
4. Tap the language that you want to use.

 

Related resources

• About proofread with Gboard
• Change your keyboard theme, sound or vibration