Android: Gboard Tricks

Typing on a phone can feel sloppy. Typos sneak into texts, emails and notes even when you know what you meant to type. The problem isn’t always your thumbs – it’s how you’re using the keyboard. I finally cracked the code by digging into hidden Gboard settings that most people overlook, and it made a huge difference. Here’s how you can reduce mistakes and type faster on your Android device.

1) Activate better text correction and suggestions

Gboard’s auto-correction and suggestions aren’t just random guesses. They work best when properly enabled.

How to do it

• Open any text field to bring up Gboard.
• Tap the ⚙️ settings icon (if you don’t see it, hold the comma key then tap the cog).
• Go to Corrections & suggestions.
• Turn on Suggestion strip, Auto-correction and Auto-capitalization.

Why this matters
The suggestion strip predicts your next word so you can tap instead of type, and auto-capitalization keeps sentences tidy without thinking about shift keys.

2) Build your Personal dictionary

Gboard doesn’t always get names, slang or project codes right. That’s where the personal dictionary shines.

How to do it

• Open Gboard Settings › Dictionary › Personal dictionary.
• Tap your language and add words and shortcuts you use often. {index=2}

Examples

• Add “addr” linked to your full address
• Save your nicknames and common slang
  This tells Gboard to stop overzealous corrections and understand you.

3) Use text shortcuts for speed and accuracy

Shortcuts are like mini macros right in your keyboard. You type a few letters and Gboard expands them into a full phrase.

How to do it

In your Personal dictionary, add a shortcut like:

• sig → your email signature
• omw → “On my way!”

Why this works
You save taps and avoid common typos when long phrases are inserted correctly every time.

4) Work the suggestion strip like a pro

The suggestion strip isn’t just for word predictions. It’s also where Gboard shows corrections and options.

Pro tips

• Tap suggested words instead of correcting after the fact.
• If Gboard miscorrects something, long-press the suggestion and remove it.

Why this matters
You’re training Gboard to learn your style over time, which reduces future mistakes.

5) Try voice typing when typing isn’t the best option

Typing with your voice isn’t just fast — modern voice input is surprisingly accurate and hands-free.

How to do it

• Tap the mic in the Gboard suggestion bar.
• Speak naturally; Gboard will punctuate and format as you go. {index=5}

Bonus
Advanced voice typing can even edit, insert or delete text as you speak using simple voice commands, saving you from tapping through long strings of text.

Quick Gboard Setup Checklist

• Turn on Suggestion strip, Auto-capitalization, and Auto-correction
• Add your commonly used terms and shortcuts in your Personal dictionary
• Use the suggestion strip instead of backspacing to fix mistakes
• Try voice typing when your thumbs can’t keep up

Typing on phones doesn’t have to be a struggle. With a few simple Gboard tweaks, you’ll type cleaner, faster and with less frustration every time.