All Samsung phones come with Samsung Keyboard as the default, which may not be the best option for text input. You can switch to another keyboard app, such as Gboard, and use it as the default input method. Gboard offers a better experience and great features, such as glide typing (sliding your finger from one letter to the next), voice input, handwriting recognition, emoji and GIF search, multilingual typing, and Google Translate support. Here's how to install Gboard on a Samsung phone to replace the default keyboard.

Download the Gboard app

The first thing you'll do to replace the Samsung keyboard is navigate to the Google Play Store to install Gboard. Use the link below to download it.

Change Samsung Keyboard to Gboard

Now that you've installed Gboard, set it as your primary software keyboard on your Samsung device. The app makes the process easy for you.

  1. Open the Gboard app and follow the steps mentioned on the screen.
  2. Tap Enable in Settings to activate Gboard in your phone's Language & input settings.
  3. Turn on the Gboard toggle switch and tap OK.
  4. Tap the back icon in the upper-right corner to continue the process.
  5. Tap Select input method and select Gboard.

You can also change the default keyboard from the default Settings app.

  1. Open Settings on your Samsung phone.
  2. Scroll to General management.
  3. Select Keyboard list and default.
  4. Tap Default keyboard.
  5. Tap the radio button beside Gboard.
  6. Turn on the Show Keyboard button toggle to switch between installed keyboards from the navigation bar.

After completing the above steps, you're taken to the Gboard settings. There are many options to explore, helping you select your themes or preferences. It's best to start typing and return to the settings when you want to change something. You can access the settings when using the keyboard by tapping the cog icon in the bar above the keys. You'll find several icons, such as GIFs and your clipboard. Explore these options and customize them in the settings if needed.

Make Gboard work like Samsung Keyboard

Although you've replaced Samsung Keyboard with Gboard, you may miss some features from the old keyboard app. You can make several changes in the Gboard settings and make it look and work like Samsung Keyboard.

Add a number row in Gboard

Samsung Keyboard keeps the number row visible at the top all the time. Follow the steps below if you prefer the same on Gboard.

  1. Open Gboard in any app.
  2. Tap the Settings gear at the top.
  3. Select Preferences.
  4. Turn on the Number row toggle.

Change the keyboard height

Samsung lets you change the keyboard height with a single tap. The option is buried under the settings on Gboard.

  1. Head to Gboard Settings (check the steps above).
  2. Select Preferences.
  3. Tap Keyboard height under the Layout menu.
  4. The keyboard height is set as Normal. You can pick a relevant option based on your preference.

Reasons to choose Gboard over Samsung Keyboard

Even though Samsung frequently updated the default Keyboard, Google's Gboard remains our go-to keyboard.

  • A rich theme store to change the look and feel of Gboard.
  • Material You support that matches the rest of the app icons and device wallpaper.
  • Better language support.
  • Multilingual typing.
  • The ability to access the same on other Android phones and iPhones.

Enjoy enhanced typing

Gboard is one of our favorite Android apps because of its advanced features and intuitive user experience. It's easy to install and use as a replacement for the default Samsung Keyboard when you follow the guided process. After you give it a try, check out Emoji Kitchen, which lets you build stickers and emojis in Gboard, helping you make the most of the app.