Inside the latest versions of the operating system AndroidSpeaking of devices with minimal modifications (like Pixel phones or some Motorola models), the default keyboard is Google's. Among the available options is the possibility of... change their appearance using the default themes of the game.
And, all this can be done taking advantage of the options offered by the operating system itself, so it is not necessary to install any application on the phone or tablet that is used. Therefore, simplicity is a fundamental part of the change process and, in addition, being sure that nothing you do puts the Android terminal at risk and that, additionally, it is completely reversible.
By the way, apart from the Topics that are available on Android, it is possible through a small configuration to improve the appearance offered by both the keys that are included and some animations. The point is that we are going to explain how to do all this in a simple way and, therefore, without problems.
Change the look of the keyboard
To access the sections you need to manage, you must go into Keyboard Settings, which you can do by pressing and holding the comma key on your keyboard and selecting the gear icon. Now select Google keyboard settings.
Locate the Preferences section and tap it. Now, if you have version 5.0 of the Google Keyboard, the Appearance and design option will appear (otherwise, you must install it from the Play Store). this link). The fact is that if you press the existing possibilities appear: Material Light, Material Dark, Holo White and Holo Blue. Choose the one that best suits your needs. Other possibilities that exist in the Preferences are to establish a greater or lesser separation between the keys or that the edges are much more visible.
Updated advice: In Gboard you can also access it from Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard > Gboard > Topic onThere you choose between colors, gradient backgrounds, and even your own photos. Activate or deactivate the key borders to improve readability depending on the chosen background.
If you want to radically change the look of your keyboard, it is possible to achieve this by using one of the costs that is in the Google store such as Swiftkey, Flesky or Grammarly. They are free and their operation is optimal.
Others Tricks for the Google operating system you can find out at this section of Android Help, where there are options that go beyond the use of the keyboard in the operating system.
More customization options in Gboard
Gboard It stands out for its wide range of aesthetic and functional adjustments. In addition to the theme, you can activate the row of numbers permanent (Preferences > Number row), adjust the keyboard height with several levels and decide whether or not to show the toolbar At the top, in that bar, rearrange icons by dragging them to prioritize what you use most (search engine, translator, GIFs, clipboard).
En Preferences controls the appearance of the keys: borders, magnification when pressed (the key pop-up), time of long press For symbols, toggle "Press and hold to see symbols" if you want them readily available above each key. If you don't use dictation, turn it off. voice input key to clear the design.
Gboard allows a one-sided mode to type with one hand from Preferences, with the option to anchor to left or right and resize its size and position. If you work with many numbers and symbols, you can activate the following in Settings > Languages PC-style keyboard to see direct numbers and symbols in QWERTY.
In Sounds and vibration (Preferences > Key pressure) choose whether there is When you press it, it adjusts its costumes, activates the haptic response and configure the vibration intensityNote that if you disable system vibration, Gboard will not be able to vibrate even if the option is selected.
Compatibility notes: Voice dictation is not available in all languages, and some options depend on the device and Android version. In lighter versions of the system, certain features may not be displayed.
Change your keyboard to a different (safe) one on Android
If you're looking for a different style, install alternatives from Google Play (avoid unknown repositories by) privacy) See how to change the keyboardAfter opening the app, follow its shortcuts to enable it and set it as your input method. You can change it at any time from Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboardWith the switch method icon in the keyboard bar, you can toggle between your active methods on the fly.
It solves problems with physical keyboards and design changes.
If you use a physical keyboard And when you press Ctrl+Space, the on-screen keyboard layout changes but not the physical one; check Settings > System > Languages & input > Physical keyboardAssign the shortcut to change the language, choose the designs by language Make sure the settings are correct and disable "Show virtual keyboard" when a physical keyboard is present if it's in your way. In some interfaces (for example, MIUI), you'll find these options within Additional settings > Languages and input. Keep Gboard and your system updated, and try to clear Gboard cache/data if the conflict persists.
SwiftKey It stands out for its prediction and cloud synchronization; Grammarly It helps you with grammar and style; Fleksy It focuses on speed, gestures, and privacy. All of them allow you to change themes, colors, and size, and are a good complement if you want a different look without sacrificing a great typing experience. (See Gboard vs SwiftKey comparison.)
With these options you can adjust the keyboard to your liking: from a background with your photo and more visible borders, a more comfortable height, or a subtle vibration. Customizing Gboard or trying alternatives will allow you to type faster, with fewer errors, and with a style that matches the rest of the system.
