Use the Keyboard on your Galaxy Tablet

Everyone has their own preferences when they're typing messages or documents. To help you get the most out of it, the on-screen keyboard on your tablet comes with different customization features and settings, so you can make it work for you. If you prefer a physical keyboard, you can find compatible book cover keyboards on our website.
Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra displaying Samsung Notes in portrait mode Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra displaying Samsung Notes in portrait mode
Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra displaying Samsung Notes in portrait mode Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra displaying Samsung Notes in portrait mode

Use the Keyboard on your Galaxy Tablet

Note
Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider and software version.

Samsung Keyboard settings

Samsung Keyboard settings displayed on a Galaxy tablet

Samsung Keyboard is the default on-screen keyboard for your tablet. It can be customized to make it even more useful and convenient.

 

To customize the Samsung Keyboard, navigate to Settings. Search for and select Samsung Keyboard.

 

Customize the available settings the way you want them:

  • Language and types: Change or add a new language that will display on the keyboard.
  • Writing assist: Enable AI writing assistance functions, such as Chat translation. Tap Writing assist, then tap Continue, and then tap OK.
  • Predictive text: Enable or disable predictive text.
  • Suggest emojis: Allow the keyboard to suggest emojis while typing.
  • Suggest stickers while typing: Allow the keyboard to suggest Emoji pairs, Bitmoji, AR Emoji, mojitok, and downloaded stickers.
  • Auto replace: Tap the spacebar or the Enter key to enter suggested words.
  • Suggest text corrections: The keyboard will automatically suggest spelling and  grammar corrections.
  • Text shortcuts: Create shortcuts for frequently used phrases. For instance, you could set "example@samsung.com" to be suggested whenever you type "email."
  • More typing options: You can access additional typing options such as Auto capitalize and Auto spacing.
  • Keyboard toolbar: Enable or disable the keyboard toolbar.
  • High contrast keyboard: Select from different contrasting colors so you can see the keyboard more easily.
  • Theme: Select a light or dark theme for the keyboard.
  • Mode: Choose from Standard keyboard, Split keyboard, or Floating keyboard.
  • Size and transparency: Customize the size of the keyboard if you’d like to make it smaller or larger. If you are using a floating keyboard, you can also change the transparency.
  • Layout: Select the Button and symbol layout, and turn on Alternative characters for the keys.
  • Font size: Increase or decrease the font size of the keyboard’s letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Voice input: Select Samsung voice input or Google Voice Typing as your preferred input option.
  • Handwriting: Enable Pen detection for handwriting.
  • Translation: Select Samsung or Google as your translation provider.
  • S Pen to text: Use your S Pen to write in search fields, address bars, and other text areas. Your handwriting will be converted to text, but you can still scratch out, add to, and edit the converted text with your S Pen.
  • Swipe, touch, and feedback: Change the keyboard’s swipe controls, touch and hold delay time, backspace speed, space bar, touch feedback, and spoken input.
  • Save screenshots to clipboard: You can save your screenshots to your device’s clipboard.
  • Select third-party content to use: Choose to receive relevant content as you type, such as writing assistance from Grammarly.
  • Reset to default settings: Reset your keyboard settings or remove personalized predictions.
  • About Samsung Keyboard: View the current software version of the Samsung Keyboard and update it if one is available.
  • Contact us: Contact Samsung Support using the Samsung Members app and ask any questions you may have.
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Switch the keyboard input language

Manage input languages screen displaying on a Galaxy tablet

If you're multilingual or learning a new language, you can use more than one language for your on-screen keyboard. But first, you'll need to add the other languages you want to use.

 

From Settings, search for and select Manage input languages. Select Manage input languages again. From here, tap the switch next to your preferred language. Or, you can download a language under Available languages.

 

To learn how to switch between languages when the keyboard is open, please refer to the next section.

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Change the keyboard input language

Language icon highlighted on the lower right corner of a Galaxy tablet

You can change the keyboard's input language even if you've already started typing.

 

First, open an app that uses the keyboard, and then open the keyboard. Then, swipe left or right on the spacebar to switch the language input.

 

You can also tap the Language icon (it looks like a globe) until you reach the desired language.

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Download keyboards from the Play Store

Galaxy tablet displaying the Gboard app in the Play Store

You can download nearly an unlimited amount of keyboards directly from the Play Store.

 

From the Play Store, search for the desired keyboard, then select it, and then tap Install. Tap Open, and then follow the on-screen prompts to add it to your available keyboards. Or, if you'd like to set up the keyboard a different way, navigate to and open Settings, and search for and select Keyboard list and default. Tap Keyboard list and default again, and then tap the switch next to the newly added keyboard.

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Change the default keyboard

Choose input method window with Samsung Keyboard selected

If you have more than one choice of keyboard, you can set your preferred one as the default. You can easily change the default keyboard anytime you wish.

 

Navigate to and open Settings, and search for and select Keyboard list and default. Tap Keyboard list and default again, and then tap Default keyboard. From there, choose your desired keyboard.

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Samsung voice typing

Microphone icon highlighted on the lower left hand corner of a Galaxy tablet

Samsung voice input lets you type words using only your voice. It's super helpful, especially if your hands are full.

  1. To use it, open an app that uses the keyboard. Then, tap the Microphone icon.
  2. If it's your first time using Samsung voice input, a pop-up will appear. Allow the permissions when prompted and then agree to the terms.
  3. Next, navigate back to an app that uses the keyboard. Tap the Microphone icon.
  4. Begin talking, and your voice will be converted to text! Select the Microphone icon again to pause the input if needed.
  5. You can also touch and hold the Microphone icon to change its icon on the keyboard.
  6. If you'd like to adjust the microphone's settings, tap the Settings icon on the keyboard’s toolbar. Tap Voice input, and then adjust your desired settings.

    Note
    : This feature is enabled by default and is built into your Samsung Keyboard.
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Change the keyboard modes

Mode settings screen displayed on a Galaxy tablet

Besides the regular keyboard mode, the Samsung Keyboard offers other modes to make typing easier. For example, the Floating keyboard can be moved around to different positions.

 

To change the current keyboard mode, open an app that uses the keyboard, and open the keyboard itself. Tap the Settings icon on the keyboard, and then tap Mode.

 

You can choose from the following modes under Portrait view and Landscape view:

  • Standard keyboard: A regular QWERTY keyboard that is the default mode.
  • Split keyboard: This will split the keyboard in half with one part on the right side of the screen and the other on the left. This may make it easier to type with two hands on the tablet.
  • Floating keyboard: A keyboard that you can move around the screen. It's perfect for when you are trying to type something and don't want the keyboard blocking your view.
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Back cover and keyboard accessory

Person typing on a Galaxy tablet using the keyboard cover

If you prefer typing with a physical keyboard, you can attach the keyboard cover to your tablet. It will feel like you're using a regular keyboard on a laptop. It connects to the special connector on the tablet, and doesn't require a separate power source or Bluetooth connection!

 

The book cover keyboard is sold separately. For the Galaxy Tab S9 series, there are two types of keyboard covers for the different tablet models. You can choose between the regular Keyboard Cover and the Keyboard Cover Slim for your Tab S9, S9+, or S9 Ultra. There are also some keyboard covers that are compatible with the S8 and S7 series tablets!

 

Once you've gotten your keyboard cover, install it properly to get the most out of it.

 

The Galaxy Tab A8 does not have a keyboard cover, but there are many options available on our website to protect your tablet.

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