Gboard is a custom keyboard developed by Google for iPhone and other iOS products, offering integrated Google Search and unique features like glide typing. While Gboard settings are conveniently located within the app itself and override general iOS keyboard settings while in use, some system-level preferences like keyboard order and text replacement still carry over. This guide will walk you through configuring Gboard settings and setting it as your primary keyboard on your iOS device.
A step-by-step guide to configuring Gboard settings
Follow these instructions to download the app, customize your typing preferences, and ensure Gboard is set as your default keyboard.
Part 1: Using the Gboard App
- Download and install Gboard. Search for Gboard in the App Store and press Get to install. Upon launching, follow the explicit instructions displayed to get set up.
- Access Gboard’s keyboard settings. Launch the Gboard app and tap Keyboard Settings. A list of keyboard settings will appear.
- Toggle Glide Typing. This feature allows you to type words by sliding your finger from key to key without lifting it. This is unique to Google keyboard and will not appear in iOS settings.
- Toggle Emoji Suggestions. This recommends emojis alongside word suggestions as you type (e.g., typing “happy” suggests a smiley face).
- Toggle Auto-correction. This automatically changes misspelled words. Warning: Keep an eye on names and places, as they may be incorrectly changed.
- Toggle Auto-capitalization. This automatically capitalizes words at the beginning of sentences and recognized proper nouns.
- Toggle Block offensive words. This omits profane words from glide typing and suggestions, though manually typed words are not blocked.
- Toggle Character preview. This displays a small popup of the key you just pressed while typing.
- Toggle Enable caps lock. This allows the keyboard to be locked into uppercase letters by tapping and holding the Shift (⬆️) key.
- Toggle Show lower case letters. This controls whether the keyboard display switches to lowercase letters when uppercase is not set.
- Toggle period shortcut. This allows you to add a period by double-tapping the space key.
Part 2: Changing Keyboard Order and Text Replacement
- Open iPhone or iPad Settings.
- Access keyboard settings. Go to General > Keyboard to access the keyboard options.
- Tap Keyboards. This button displays a list of all usable keyboards.
- Set Gboard as the main keyboard. Tap Edit and drag Gboard to the top of the list. Release and press Done to save.
- Edit text replacements. Go back to keyboard settings and tap Text Replacement. Tap the + button to enter a phrase and its shortcut. Note: Changes here also apply to Gboard.
Why this matters
Customizing your keyboard settings is essential for maximizing typing efficiency and personal comfort. By toggling features like Glide Typing and Auto-capitalization, you can significantly speed up your workflow and reduce the number of keystrokes required for daily communication. A personalized keyboard adapts to your specific habits, whether you prefer rapid sliding, precise tapping, or specific text shortcuts.
Furthermore, understanding the distinction between system-level settings and app-specific overrides allows you to troubleshoot issues more effectively. Since Gboard ignores certain iOS preferences in favor of its own, knowing where to find the correct toggle prevents frustration. Properly configuring Gboard ensures that you get the full benefit of Google’s technology without sacrificing the stability and integration of your device’s operating system.
