Gboard is the default keyboard on a large number of Android smartphones around the world, and it is not limited to Pixel devices. If you own an Android device, you may have been using Gboard for years without giving it much thought. Its default settings work well, predictive text suggestions are useful, and you can swipe to type when needed.
However, like many other Android apps and features that appear simple on the surface, Gboard has plenty of useful features hidden beneath its straightforward interface. Explore its menus, adjust a few settings, and learn some gestures, and you will discover many tools that can make Gboard faster and easier to use without having to switch to a completely different keyboard. Here are my favorite Gboard tips, tricks, and features.
Pin Frequently Used Text to the Clipboard for Instant Access
You do not need to search for an ad-filled clipboard manager on Android. Gboard has a capable clipboard manager built right in, although the feature is not enabled by default.
In the Gboard app, tap the Menu button and select Clipboard. The first time you use it, enable the feature. You will then see everything you copy listed in one convenient place.
Gboard automatically deletes clipboard entries after one hour, which is a useful security feature. However, you can pin individual clipboard items by using the long-press menu. Once pinned, an item will remain available.
You can use this feature to store frequently used content, such as email templates or your mailing address, so you can quickly copy and paste it whenever you need it.
Use the Personal Dictionary to Quickly Expand Long Phrases
If you are an advanced Android user or manage a business or college assignments from your Android smartphone, you may want a faster way to enter long pieces of text.
On Mac and Windows, you may already be familiar with text expansion features and apps. Gboard for Android offers something similar, although for some reason it is called the Personal Dictionary.
Here, you can add custom phrases and their corresponding shortcuts. When you enter a shortcut, the expanded phrase will appear in the suggestion bar.
Go to Gboard Settings > Dictionary > Personal Dictionary and tap the Plus button to add a new phrase.
Use These Swipe and Hold Gestures for Faster Input
The Backspace (or Delete) key on Pixel devices is not as static as it may seem. If you swipe left from the Backspace key, you can delete entire words instead of removing individual letters.
Similarly, you can move the cursor using the spacebar. Press and hold the spacebar, then move your finger left or right to position the cursor precisely.
If you want to enter symbols without switching keyboard layouts, simply press and hold the Period key to display the full symbol keyboard. Swipe to the symbol you want to enter, release your finger, and you are done.
Use This Gesture to Enter Numbers Quickly Without Switching Keyboards
If you need to enter numbers in Gboard, there are two ways to do it.
First, there is a hidden gesture that lets you swipe on a key to enter its alternative symbol. For example, swiping down on the letter “e” will enter the number “3” instead. It is very convenient and can be enabled from Settings > Preferences > Swipe on keys to enter symbols.
However, if you frequently type numbers, nothing beats Gboard’s dedicated number row, even though it takes up additional space. From Preferences, you can enable the Number row to get quick access to number keys.
Use One-Handed Mode for Easier Typing on Large Phones
Tap the Menu button on the Gboard keyboard and select the One-handed option.
You will now see a smaller keyboard positioned along one side of the screen. You can tap the Arrow button to change its position.
You can also tap the Edit button to freely move and resize the keyboard, making it smaller or positioning it closer to the bottom edge of the screen.
Adjust the Keyboard Height to Regain Screen Space
If you do not like the default size of the Gboard keyboard, you can make it shorter or make it occupy a larger portion of the screen with bigger keys.
Tap the Menu button in the Gboard toolbar and select the Resize option. You can then drag the handles to make the keyboard taller or shorter. This feature does not allow you to change its width.
Use the Floating Keyboard to Type Anywhere on the Screen
On large-screen phones or Android tablets, entering text while trying to see what is underneath the keyboard can be inconvenient, especially when using a multi-app view.
However, Gboard does not have to stay attached to the bottom of the screen. From the Gboard Menu, tap the Floating button to detach the keyboard.
You can then drag the handle to move the keyboard anywhere on the screen. You can also resize the keyboard to make it smaller.
Use Gboard’s Text Editing Feature to Adjust Text Anywhere
Text editing is easier and faster on a computer. You have arrow keys for moving around, a mouse for precise selection, and keyboard shortcuts for copying and pasting.
Google may have recognized this limitation on smartphones and tablets, which is why Gboard includes a Text Editing feature in its Menu.
When enabled, this feature replaces the standard keyboard with a set of large buttons designed specifically for selecting and manipulating text.
The new keyboard includes large directional buttons with arrows and a Select button in the center. You can use the arrows to move the cursor one character at a time or press and hold them to move between words.
Once you have selected text, use the Cut, Copy, and Paste buttons to manipulate it without dealing with long-press gestures or awkward screen swipes.
Use Emoji Kitchen to Create New Emojis
Emojis can feel a little repetitive in 2026, while finding the perfect GIF can sometimes feel like a lot of work.
Gboard’s Emoji Kitchen sits somewhere between the two. Open the Emoji tab in Gboard, choose two emojis, and Google will combine them into a unique emoji sticker.
You will see several combination options, allowing you to choose the one you like best.
Add an Undo Button to the Toolbar to Quickly Remove Text
Did you paste some text that you now need to remove? Instead of selecting the text piece by piece, use Gboard’s built-in Undo button.
Tap the Menu button, and you will see Undo in the list of available features. To make it easier to access, add the button to the toolbar by tapping the Edit button and dragging Undo to the top toolbar.
Save your settings, and you will now have dedicated Undo and Redo buttons that are easy to access whenever you need them.
