I Replaced Samsung Keyboard with Gboard and I Should Have Done It Sooner

For years, I used the default Samsung Keyboard on my Galaxy phone without giving much thought to alternatives. It was comfortable enough, and I never truly considered switching. That is, until I discovered Gboard – Google’s keyboard app that completely transformed my mobile typing experience. In this article, I’ll share my journey of replacing Samsung Keyboard with Gboard, explain the benefits I experienced, provide practical tips for making the switch, and why I genuinely believe you should consider it too.

Why Switch from Samsung Keyboard to Gboard?

Samsung Keyboard comes pre-installed on Galaxy devices with a solid range of basic features – but Gboard takes things to a whole new level. Here are some compelling reasons why Gboard is worth your attention and why I decided to replace Samsung Keyboard with it immediately:

• Advanced Autocorrect and Prediction: Gboard’s AI-powered prediction is more accurate and learns your typing style better over time.
• Multilingual Support: Effortlessly switch between languages without changing the keyboard manually.
• Integrated Google Search: You can search and share info, GIFs, and emojis directly from the keyboard.
• Customization Options: From themes and layouts to keypress animations, Gboard offers myriad ways to tailor the experience.
• Gesture Typing: Glide typing is smoother and more responsive with Gboard.
• Emoji and GIF Integration: Easily find and send relevant emojis and GIFs quickly.
• Privacy and Security: Google provides transparency around data usage, ensuring your typing data isn’t misused.

Gboard Features that Make Typing a Breeze

Once I started using Gboard full-time, I realized how many small but impactful features Samsung Keyboard lacked. Let’s look at some standout functionalities that elevated my typing comfort:

1. Smart Text Prediction & Autocorrect

Gboard’s autocomplete function uses machine learning to give accurate next-word suggestions. Unlike Samsung Keyboard, which sometimes gave irrelevant suggestions, Gboard’s predictions aligned closely with my writing style and commonly used phrases.

2. Glide Typing (Swipe-to-Type)

I’m often typing on the go, so glide typing saved a lot of time. Gboard’s swipe recognition is extremely precise, reducing frustrating typos and speeding up my communication.

3. Multilingual and Emoji Support

Writing in both English and Spanish? Gboard automatically detects the language and switches prediction accordingly, making bilingual typing effortless. Plus, its emoji search lets you type words and instantly get matching emojis – e.g., “happy” brings up smiling faces immediately.

4. Expressive GIF and Sticker Search

Integrated Google Search means you never have to leave the conversation app to find a GIF or sticker. This feature kept my chats lively and engaging without interrupting the flow.

5. Cloud Sync and Personal Dictionary

Sync your personal dictionary and keyboard preferences across devices on Gboard, so switching phones or adding a new device is hassle-free.

First-Hand Experience: How I Made the Switch

Switching from Samsung Keyboard to Gboard was surprisingly smooth. Here’s how I did it and some tips to get started:

1. Download Gboard from Google Play Store: It’s free and compatible with most Android devices.
2. Set Gboard as Default Keyboard: Go to your phone’s Settings > General Management > Language and Input > On-screen keyboard > Manage Keyboards. Enable Gboard and disable Samsung Keyboard if you want to avoid accidental switches.
3. Customize to Your Preference: Explore Gboard’s Settings to change themes, enable glide typing, and set up multiple languages.
4. Practice Patience: The autocorrect and prediction will improve with use, so don’t be discouraged by initial hiccups.
5. Backup Your Dictionary: If you want to keep Samsung Keyboard shortcuts or words, you might want to note them down since there’s no direct import.

Benefits I Enjoy Daily After Replacing Samsung Keyboard with Gboard

After weeks of consistent use, these benefits became clear:

• Increased Typing Speed and Accuracy: My messages and emails get typed faster with fewer mistakes.
• Improved Multilingual Messaging: No more manually toggling keyboards when chatting in different languages.
• Seamless Multimedia Sharing: Finding GIFs and emojis is effortless, making conversations more fun.
• Simple Theme Customization: I personalized the keyboard’s look to match my style – something Samsung Keyboard’s themes couldn’t match.
• Cross-device Consistency: Using Gboard on my tablet and phone means a consistent typing experience everywhere.

Practical Tips for Getting the Most out of Gboard

To maximize your experience after installing Gboard, consider these practical tips:

• Enable Glide Typing: Activate swipe-to-type for faster input in Settings > Glide typing.
• Use Voice Typing: Gboard’s integration with Google Voice typing is excellent for hands-free use.
• Customize Themes: Choose from pre-made themes or add your own photo background to brighten up the keyboard.
• Explore Keyboard Shortcuts: Add frequently used phrases to your personal dictionary for quick input.
• Turn on Clipboard History: Save multiple copied items and access them easily within the keyboard.
• Adjust Keyboard Height: Make the keyboard bigger or smaller based on your comfort and screen size.

Addressing Privacy Concerns

A fair concern many have when switching keyboards is privacy. Google openly outlines its data handling in Gboard, and here’s what you should know:

• Gboard collects data to improve suggestions, but only if you opt-in to share usage statistics.
• Typing data for passwords or sensitive fields is not sent to Google.
• You can disable personalized suggestions or turn off cloud syncing any time.

Compared to many third-party keyboards, Gboard strikes a good balance between functionality and privacy – something Samsung Keyboard also considers, but Gboard’s transparency impressed me further.

Conclusion: Why You Should Replace Samsung Keyboard with Gboard Today

In hindsight, I realize I should have replaced Samsung Keyboard with Gboard much sooner. The features, speed, ease of use, and customization options make Gboard the best Android keyboard I’ve ever used. If you value improved typing accuracy, multilingual support, and seamless integration with Google services, switching to Gboard will revolutionize your mobile typing experience.

So, if you’re still sticking to the default Samsung Keyboard, give Gboard a try today-you might just wonder why you waited so long!

Ready to enhance your typing? Download Gboard now from Google Play Store and feel the difference yourself.