You can enter text and use images, like emojis and GIFs. You can change your keyboard language without changing your mobile device's language. You can handwrite words on your keyboard to enter text.
Important:
- Talk-to-text doesn't work with all languages.
- Some of these steps only work on Android 7.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Write with Gboard
- On your Android phone or tablet, install Gboard.
- Open any app that you can type with, such as Gmail or Keep.
- Tap where you can enter text. From here, you can:
- Move your cursor: Swipe left or right on the space bar.
- Turn on caps lock: Double-tap Shift
. To turn it off again, tap Shift
.
- Find accents and more options: Touch and hold a key.
. To turn it off again, tap Shift 
.Use emojis and GIFs
- On your Android device, open any app where you can write, such as Gmail or Keep.
- Tap where you can enter text.
- Tap Emoji
. From here, you can:
- Insert emojis: Tap one or more emojis.
- Insert a GIF: Tap GIF. Then choose the GIF that you want.
- Tap Send
.
.Tip: To go back to entering letters, tap ABC.
Add a language on Gboard
When you change languages with Gboard, your Android device's language settings aren't affected.
- On your Android phone or tablet, install Gboard.
- Open any app that you can type with, such as Gmail or Keep.
- Tap where you can enter text.
- At the top of your keyboard, tap Open features menu
.
- Tap More
Settings
.
- Tap Languages
- Pick the language that you want to turn on.
- Pick the layout that you want to use.
- Tap Done.
.
Settings 
.Add a language on Gboard through Android settings
- On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app.
- Tap System
- Under 'Keyboards', tap Virtual keyboard.
- Tap Gboard
- Pick a language.
- Turn on the layout that you want to use.
- Tap Done.
Switch languages on Gboard
- On your Android phone or tablet, open any app that you can type with, such as Gmail or Keep.
- Tap where you can enter text.
- Touch and hold the space bar to switch languages.
Switch languages using the language switch key
- On your Android phone or tablet, open any app that you can type with, such as Gmail or Keep.
- Tap where you can enter text.
- In the bottom left of your keyboard, touch and hold the comma, then drag your finger to Settings
- Tap Preferences.
- Tap the Show language switch key
.
.Tip: If 'Show language switch key' is greyed out, turn off Show emoji switch key 
Important: Handwriting is not available in all languages.
Turn on Handwriting
- On your Android phone or tablet, open any app that you can type in, such as Gmail or Keep.
- Tap where you can enter text. Your keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen.
- At the top left of the keyboard, tap Open features menu
- Tap Settings
- If you don't find Settings: Tap More
- If you don't find Settings: Tap More
- Tap Languages
- Swipe right and turn on the Handwriting layout. If you don’t find it, Handwriting is not available for your language.
- Tap Done.
Select a handwriting keyboard
- On your Android phone or tablet, open any app that you can type in, such as Gmail or Keep.
- Tap where you can enter text. Your keyboard will appear at the bottom of the screen.
- Touch and hold globe
- Select a handwriting keyboard, such as English (US) Handwriting. Your keyboard will become a blank writing area where you can enter words.
- With a finger or stylus, handwrite words on the keyboard to enter text.
Tip: In most languages, Gboard predicts when you need a space. If it misses one, tap the spacebar at the bottom of your screen.