Gboard is arguably the best virtual keyboard of all time, so it’s no surprise that it comes pre-installed on most Android phones. While many people use it every single day, most treat it as a simple, basic typing tool rather than the productivity powerhouse it actually 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 hacks it hides under the hood. Here are a few advanced tricks that will not only save time on your phone but also make it a lot more convenient and enjoyable!
Type with just one hand using One-Handed Mode
Thumb typing at its finest
One-handed typing is nothing new; in fact, it’s one of the core Gboard features. And even though 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, just tap the four-square grid icon to open the features menu, then tap One-handed. The keyboard will shift slightly to the left or right—you can swap sides by tapping the or > icon. There’s also an option to resize the one-handed keyboard if it’s too small for your preferences.
If you’re in a rush and need to type while holding something in your other hand, like a grocery bag, this feature makes typing with just one thumb a lot easier.
Search and translate without leaving the keyboard
Translating text has never been easier
Google has made language translation on our phones progressively easier with each new Android and Google app update, with Gboard being one of the core apps to get phenomenal Google Translate integration.
If you’re chatting with someone who speaks a different language, like an international business partner or Airbnb host, this is extremely handy. It means you no longer have to switch between a translation app and your chat, as the whole conversation can be handled directly through Gboard.
You can access Translate by opening the features menu and tapping Translate.
A translation strip opens above the keyboard, and from there, you can set which language you’re translating from and to, then simply type your message. Like magic, the translated text will appear in your text bar in a second, while the translation strip displays your original text.
Copy more than just one thing with Clipboard history
Access a whole library of copied text and screenshots
Gboard’s Clipboard is a real time-saver. If you’re familiar with Clipboard History on Windows PCs, you’ll easily recognize the value this feature brings. In essence, the clipboard shows a history of your recently copied text and screenshots, rather than just the last item you get when you paste.
This lets you store and access multiple snippets of text, even if you don’t need them immediately. It’s an incredibly useful and versatile feature, and I honestly can’t imagine using my phone without it—the key is remembering to use it.
You can access it by opening the features menu and tapping Clipboard. Since it’s so useful and something you’ll likely use all the time, I strongly recommend setting it to appear in the suggestions bar automatically by tapping, dragging, and dropping the Clipboard into the suggestion strip at the top of Gboard.
Glide typing is better than you think
Slide like you’ve never slid before
Glide (aka slide) typing is an incredible alternative to thumb typing. Even though it’s not the fastest method for those of us who have mastered thumb typing, many people find glide typing more comfortable and convenient.
If the last time you tried glide typing was in 2013, when SwiftKey was making headlines, and you hated it, you should give the feature another shot. Thanks to more accurate predictions, machine learning, and various other enhancements like the flick gesture, Gboard’s Glide typing proves to be a worthy solution for tired thumbs and quick texting on the go.
You can enable Glide typing by heading over to Gboard settings, scrolling down to Glide typing, and toggling Glide Typing on. Just like that, you can use your finger to glide across the keyboard from key to key to form words.
Recover accidentally deleted text using the hidden Undo and Redo buttons
I bet you didn’t know your phone had Ctrl+Z too
Undo and Redo are easily the most useful tools in modern computing. They’ve saved me hundreds of hours of otherwise lost work 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 (e.g., if you deleted a word, Undo can bring it back), while Redo restores it if you tapped Undo by mistake and want to reverse it.
You can access Undo (and, by extension, Redo) in the features menu, and just like the Clipboard, it’s another one of those buttons you’re going to use so much that you should consider placing it in the quick access options.
Customize your Gboard to make it truly your own
This article has highlighted some of the coolest features in Gboard that you might not be using, but trust me when I say that we’re barely scratching the surface here. Gboard is a great keyboard in its “stock” settings, but since it’s so incredibly customizable, you should learn to take advantage of it. I encourage you to dive into Gboard settings and go through each option to see what’s available.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
