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How to increase the size of your Android keyboard to ease your mobile typing woes

Given that I write words for a living, you would think that typing on any keyboard would be effortless. Sadly, that is not the case. If you put a traditional keyboard before me, I'm good to go. However, place a phone in my hand and you'd think I was all thumbs…literally. I type too slowly and too inaccurately on my Android phone.

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Part of the reason for that is the tiny keys. It's not that I have sausage fingers, but something about those small keys turns me into a bumbling oaf.

Also: How to set up a new Android phone

Fortunately, there's an easy way to give your fingers (and eyes) a break by resizing the Android keyboard. Although you won't turn that tiny virtual keyboard into a full-sized version of its miniature self, the slight increase in size does make a big difference.

So, if you're one of those who struggle to type with accuracy or speed on Android, keep reading to enjoy a bit of relief.

How to change the size of the Android keyboard

What you'll need: The only thing you'll need is an Android phone running an updated version of the software. I'll demonstrate on a Pixel 7 Pro , so the process may be slightly different on your device. 

Also:   The best Android phones right now  

Do note that this only works with the default Android keyboard. If you've installed a third-party keyboard , this might not work.

1. Open the keyboard

The first thing to do is open any app that uses the Android keyboard. You could open the Messages app, a note-taking app, Facebook Messenger, or any app that makes use of the keyboard.

Also: How to enable read receipts in Android Messages

Once you've opened the app, do some action (such as composing a text) that will open the keyboard.

2. Open the keyboard settings

With the keyboard revealed, open the settings app. On most versions of Android that will be by way of a gear icon.

Tap the gear icon to open the Gboard Settings on the Mid-tall setting.

3. Open Preferences

On the next page, tap Preferences near the top.

Don't be confused with Android's Preferences within Settings.

4. Open the keyboard height option

Near the middle of the Preferences page, you should see a listing for Keyboard height. Tap that entry.

As you can see, I have my keyboard set for Mid-tall height.

5. Change the keyboard height

In the resulting popup, the keyboard will be set at Normal height. Change that to Mid-tall and then back out of the Settings to check if that's large enough to suit your needs. 

Also:  How to find and remove spyware from your phone

If it's still a bit too small, go back to the keyboard height settings option and change it to either Tall or Extra-tall. 

Try all the settings to find the perfect height to fit your needs.

I've found the difference between Normal and Tall is just enough to greatly improve my accuracy and speed on the Android keyboard. Give this setting a try and see if it makes your typing experience less frustrating. 

Also: 5 simple ways to improve your Android phone security

One thing to keep in mind with setting the keyboard to Tall or Extra-tall is that, by the time you hit Extra-tall, you're taking up almost half of the display, which can be problematic with some applications. 

Because of this issue, you might find yourself having to adjust the keyboard height depending on the app you use. If, however, you can get by with Mid-tall, you should be OK (especially if your phone's display is on the larger side). 

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How to Make a Keyboard Bigger on Android

There's two ways to resize the keyboard

• Beloit College

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• Switching from iOS

What to Know

• Change the keyboard's font size: Open Settings , tap Display > Advanced > Display Size .
• The Keyboard Height setting can change the keyboard's size, but not the font.

This article provides instructions on how to make the keyboard bigger on Android.

These steps will make a keyboard bigger on Android and will work on all Android 11 phones that use the default Settings app.

Open the Settings app.

Tap Display .

Tap Advanced .

Open Display Size .

You’ll see a screen with a slider and a preview of what your Android phone’s interface will look like. Move the slider up until the preview suits your preference.

The new Display Size setting take effect immediately.

Related Android Settings

The above method is the only way to change the font size of the default Android keyboard on most phones that use a stock or near-stock interface. Android has a Font Size setting but counter to what you might expect; this doesn't change the keyboard's font size.

Android's Magnification feature, available through the Accessibility menu, also doesn't work with the default keyboard. If you activate it with the keyboard open, you can only magnify the portion of the screen where the keyboard isn't visible.

There is a downside to the Font Size setting; it changes the size of everything, not just the keyboard. That isn’t ideal if you only want a larger keyboard.

How Do I Enlarge My Keyboard?

These steps will further increase the size of your Android keyboard but won't increase the size of the font. The results don’t improve readability but can make the keyboard easier to use for those who find the standard size cramped. It’s possible to reduce the size of the keyboard, as well.

Unlike the first method, this option only makes the default Android keyboard larger. It doesn’t change the rest of the interface.

Open the Messages app.

Open any message.

Tap the Text Message field you'd normally use to send a message.

Tap the Gear icon that appears at the top of the Android keyboard.

Open Preferences .

Tap the Keyboard Height option. You'll see seven different options ranging from "Extra-short" to "Extra-tall." The default is "Normal." Tap the option you prefer. Your selection takes effect immediately.

More Ways to Resize Your Android Keyboard

The methods above use the default settings options in Android to change the size of the keyboard. They’re the quickest, most straightforward way to resize the Android keyboard. However, these default methods won't satisfy everyone because they can impact how other elements of Android appear. They also don't offer much versatility.

You can further customize the size of Android's keyboard by installing a third-party option. The best Android keyboards , like Swiftkey and MessagEase, offer alternatives that can not only resize the Android keyboard but entirely change the typing experience, offering better one-handed use or more aggressive predictive text.

To choose your default Android keyboard , go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard . You can also download custom Android keyboards from the Google Play Store.

To turn on text-to-speech on Android , go to Settings > Accessibility > Select to Speak . To change the language and voice, go to Settings > General management > Language and input > Text-to-Speech .

Android accessibility options include vision, hearing, and dexterity support. For a completely screenless Android experience, use  Talkback to control your phone with your voice.

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How to Make Your Keyboard Bigger (iPhone and Android)

Makes it much easier to sext

Mobile phone keyboards are too tiny. If you frequently have trouble seeing characters or keep hitting the wrong keys, then increasing the size of the keyboard makes a world of difference.

Although there isn’t much screen real estate to work with, this tutorial will walk you through several methods to make the on-screen keyboard bigger on your iPhone or Android.

How to Make the iPhone Keyboard Bigger

If you use the default keyboard for the Apple iPhone, you can zoom in on the display, switch to horizontal orientation, or activate bold text to make the keys bigger and easier to see.

Enable Zoomed View on iPhone

Zoomed view enlarges the default size of the iPhone keyboard, including the entire iOS user interface (buttons, menus, icons, etc.) and the apps that run on it.

To enable Zoomed view:

• Open the iPhone’s Settings app.
• Enter the Display & Brightness category.
• Scroll down and tap Display Zoom .

• Switch the Display Zoom view from Default to Larger Text .
• Tap Use Zoomed on the confirmation pop-up.

Your iPhone’s screen should momentarily darken while it switches to Zoomed view.

If you don’t like how everything appears zoomed in, you can always switch to the Default display setting via Settings > Display & Brightness > Display Zoom .

Use iPhone in Horizontal View

Almost every app on your iPhone works in horizontal orientation (a.k.a. landscape view). That enlarges the keyboard, minimizing typing errors.

Just hold your iOS device sideways to enter landscape view. The keyboard should also expand to automatically fill the screen’s width whenever you invoke it.

If your iPhone fails to work in horizontal orientation:

• Swipe down the top-right of the iPhone’s screen to open the Control Center.
• Make sure that the Portrait Orientation Lock icon (lock with a circling arrow) is inactive.

Note : iOS does not support landscape view for the iPhone’s Home Screen , so you can’t use the horizontal version of the keyboard while interacting with, say, Spotlight Search .

Enable Bold Text on iPhone

Enabling bold text on the iPhone does not make the keyboard bigger but impacts the text size and improves character visibility.

To enable bold text:

• Open Settings.
• Tap Display & Brightness .
• Enable the switch next to Bold Text .

Bold text applies to all text you see on your iPhone. If you don’t like that, you can always switch back to normal text via the Display & Brightness screen.

What About Third-Party Keyboard Apps for iPhone?

Popular third-party keyboards for the iPhone—such as Gboard and Microsoft SwiftKey —do not provide additional options to increase the key size. However, the App Store features several keyboards that offer such functionality but from lesser-known developers—e.g., TuneKey and ReBoard .

As an example, here’s how to increase the key size in ReBoard:

• Download and install ReBoard.
• Open the ReBoard app, tap Start Installation , and follow all on-screen prompts to add the keyboard to your iPhone.

• Tap on a text input area to invoke Reboard .
• Tap the Settings icon on the lower left corner of the keyboard.
• Tap the Plus icon next to Keyboard Size .

Privacy Warning : Before installing a third-party keyboard, review the app’s data collection policies (scroll down the App Store page) and make sure they don’t violate your privacy and security.

How to Make Keyboard Bigger on Android Devices

If you use Google’s default Gboard on your Android phone , you can increase the display size, raise the keyboard height, or switch to horizontal view to make the keys bigger.

Increase the Android Display Size

Android lets you increase the display size to make the user interface and the keyboard appear larger. To do that:

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap Display .
• Scroll down and tap Display size and text .
• Use the slider next to Display size to make everything (including the keyboard) bigger or smaller.

Increase the Gboard Height

Gboard for Android allows you to increase the keyboard height to minimize typing errors. To do that:

• Tap on any text input field to bring up the Gboard—e.g., start composing a new message.
• Tap the Gear icon on the top right corner of the keyboard.
• Tap Preferences .

• Tap Keyboard height .
• Pick an option to increase the keyboard size—e.g., Mid-tall , Tall , Extra-tall .

Activate Bold Text on Android

You can activate bold text on the iPhone to make keys easier to see. To do that:

• Open the Settings app on Android.
• Go to Display > Display size and text .
• Turn on the switch next to Bold text .

Use Android Device in Horizontal Orientation

Another way to make the Gboard bigger and more accessible to see is to hold your Android phone in horizontal orientation.

If the Android user interface fails to switch to landscape view, open the App Drawer (swipe down from the top of the screen) and make sure that Auto-Rotate is off.

What About Third-Party Keyboards for Android?

Unlike on iOS, most third-party keyboards for Android feature separate settings that let you increase the keyboard size. As an example, here’s how to access them in Microsoft SwiftKey :

• Download and install Microsoft SwiftKey.
• Open the Microsoft SwiftKey app, tap Enable SwiftKey , and follow all on screen instructions to activate the keyboard.

• Visit the SwiftKey keyboard settings screen and tap Layout & keys .
• Tap Resize .
• Drag the surrounding handles to adjust the keyboard size.

Android keyboards from OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) —like Samsung—also allow you to change the key size. For example, if you use the Samsung Keyboard, you can visit the phone’s keyboard management screen via its Settings app to make the keyboard bigger.

It’s Now Easier to Type On Your iPhone or Android

A larger keyboard goes a long way toward reducing typos and increasing typing speed on mobile devices, and the various methods and workarounds above should help you with that. Use a third-party keyboard app on your iPhone or Android if you need more customization options.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn't hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube. Read Dilum's Full Bio

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How to make the keyboard bigger on an iPad

If you find your iPad’s onscreen keyboard is awkwardly small or split in half, it’s pretty easy to expand it to a full-size layout. We’ll explain below.

QUICK ANSWER

If you're stuck with a small iPad keyboard, place two fingers on it and spread them apart until the silhouette of a full-size keyboard appears. If the problem is a split keyboard, tap and hold on the keyboard icon in the lower-right corner, then slide to select Merge or Dock and Merge .

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

Can you disable the floating keyboard gesture on an iPad?

When you’re faced with a tiny, iPhone-sized keyboard, that’s what Apple refers to as the “floating” keyboard. It’s intended to maximize screen space, say if you’re in an illustration app but still to need to type occasionally.

To change the size of the floating keyboard:

• Place two fingers anywhere on the keyboard, then spread them apart as if you were zooming in in Apple Maps. When you see the silhouette of a full-size keyboard, let go.
• If you ever want the floating mode back, using a pinching gesture instead.

The Split keyboard is now only available on iPads with a physical Home button, but can be easier to use if you need to hold an iPad with both hands.

To switch between the Split and unified keyboards:

• Tap on a text field to make the keyboard appear.
• Tap and hold on the keyboard icon in the lower-right corner. Don’t let go just yet.
• Slide your finger to either Merge or Dock and Merge , then let go. You can go back to the Split view the same way.

You can’t, unfortunately, which is a shame given how easy it is to make the gesture accidentally. The only permanent solution is connecting a physical keyboard , which disables an iPad’s onscreen keyboard as long as it’s in use. You don’t have to buy something as expensive as Apple’s Magic Keyboard — there are less expensive cases, and even a standalone Bluetooth keyboard will do.

7 Ways to Make the Keyboard Bigger on iPhone and iPad

Are you unable to type smoothly on your iPhone’s keyboard due to its small size? Did the keyboard accidentally become smaller than its default size on your iOS device, and you’re just not sure how to return it to the default size? This guide shows several methods to make the keyboard bigger on your iPhone and iPad.

1. Using Display Zoom

2. switch to landscape mode, 3. use third-party apps, 4. turn off one-handed mode, 5. turn off the floating keyboard on ipad, 6. turn off split keyboard on ipad, 7. make the keyboard bigger on ipad with apple pencil, frequently asked questions.

Apple doesn’t offer a native way to increase the size of the keyboard on an iPhone or iPad. You will have to rely on workarounds, such as the Display Zoom setting.

The Display Zoom option is a helpful display scaling feature that will increase the size of every interface element that is displayed on your iPhone or iPad, including the keyboard. This is one of the easiest ways to make the keyboard bigger on an iPhone. To enable Display Zoom on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

• Open the Settings app.
• Go to “Display & Brightness.”
• Scroll down a bit, then tap on “Display Zoom.”

• Select “Larger Text.” It’s the opposite on an iPad: choose “Default.”

• Tap “Done” at the top. A confirmation message will show up. Tap on “Use Zoomed.” Your iPhone will restart, with the interface appearing much larger.

Tip : to revert to the normal zoom, select “Default” in step 3. On an iPad, select “More Space.”

Another easy way to make your keyboard larger is to switch to landscape orientation. Start by turning off the Portrait Orientation lock on your iPhone or iPad, then rotate your device while typing to get a bigger keyboard. Follow the steps below:

• Activate Control Center on your iPhone or iPad by swiping down with one finger from the upper-right corner of the display.
• If the Portrait Orientation Lock button is red, your iPhone will not rotate automatically. Tap on the button to turn it off.

• Open the app where you’ll be typing, then rotate your iPhone to switch to landscape orientation, allowing you to type on a bigger keyboard.

Good to know: learn how to add a number row at the top of the iPhone’s keyboard.

Even though the default keyboard app on an iPhone and iPad and some popular keyboard apps like Gboard do not allow you to change the keyboard’s size, there are some third-party keyboard apps that can rescue you from the default keyboard size.

The free app “Fleksy” allows you to enlarge your keyboard. Follow these steps to make your iPhone or iPad keyboard bigger using Fleksy.

• Download the Fleksy app on your iPhone or iPad.
• Open the Fleksy app and follow the on-screen instructions to add the keyboard to your iPhone.
• If the Fleksy keyboard is not working as expected, open the Settings app, then “Fleksy -> Keyboards.”

• Enable the toggles next to “Fleksy” and “Allow Full Access.”

• If the Fleksy keyboard is failing to appear, go to “Settings -> General -> Keyboard -> Keyboards.” Tap on “Add New Keyboard.” Scroll down and select “Fleksy” listed under “Third-Party Keyboards.”

• Open any app where you can type text, such as Notes. Long-press on the “Globe” icon on your current keyboard, then select “Fleksy” from the list.

Note: if you are using a hardware keyboard, you will not have the Globe option. The key or combination of keys you’ll need to press are different with various keyboard manufacturers. It may take some experimentation on your part.

• To make the Fleksy keyboard larger, open the Fleksy keyboard app by tapping on its icon on the home screen or in the App Drawer.

• Tap on the “More” icon at the top followed by “Keyboard Size.”

• Tap on “Large.”

Other free keyboard apps that you can use to enlarge your keyboard include:

ReBoard : tap on a text field in any app to open the ReBoard keyboard, then tap on the Settings icon in the bottom-left corner and press the “+” icon to increase the size of the keyboard.

TuneKey : open the TuneKey app on your iPhone. Tap on “Adjust Key Size” and drag the slider to the left to make it larger.

Tip : if the keyboard or any other onscreen elements are behaving unexpectedly on your iPhone, it may be a good idea to learn how to factory reset your iPhone .

Is your iPhone keyboard stuck and aligned to the left or right side? It’s just in one-handed mode .

• Tap on the arrow icon on either the left or right side of the keyboard to make it bigger.

• If that doesn’t work, long-press the Globe icon and press the keyboard icon in the middle.

If the keyboard on your iPad is small and randomly placed on the screen instead of being at the bottom, it’s in floating mode . To change the iPad keyboard back to its normal size, you have to turn off the floating keyboard. You can do it in two ways, as shown below.

• The first method involves using gestures. You can use the pinch-out gesture on the small floating keyboard to expand it to its normal size. Simply move two fingers away from each other while holding them over the keyboard.

• Alternatively, hold the floating keyboard using the small bar/handle at the bottom, then drag it to the bottom edge of the screen. The keyboard will become larger and restore to its default size.

Good to know : tired of typing on that tiny keyboard every time you need to sign in to an account? Discover Apple Passkeys and how to use them using our comprehensive guide.

If the keyboard on your iPad is split into two halves, it’s in split mode .

• To join the keyboard halves back together, place one finger on each half of the keyboard, then move both fingers toward each other until both halves of the keyboard reattach.

• Alternatively, long press on the keyboard icon in the bottom-right corner of your keyboard, and without lifting your finger, slide it toward the “Dock and Merge” option, then let go.

Tip: changing the size of your keyboard is just one of the many ways you can personalize your iOS device. Also learn how to customize the lock screen on iPhone and iPad.

Sometimes when you tap on a text field with an Apple Pencil that’s connected to your iPad , the floating keyboard will show instead of a regular keyboard docked at the bottom.

To prevent this from happening, disable the “Scribble” Apple Pencil feature, visit “Settings -> Apple Pencil,” then disable the toggle next to “Scribble.”

How do I make the text on my iPhone or iPad keyboard appear bold?

On your iPhone or iPad, visit “Settings -> Display & Brightness,” then enable the toggle next to “Bold Text.”

How do I turn off the keyboard click sound on my iPhone or iPad?

Go to “Settings -> Sounds & Haptics -> Keyboard Feedback,” then turn off the toggle next to “Sound.” Are you on Android or using a third-party iPhone keyboard app? Learn how to turn off the keyboard sound on Android and third-party iPhone keyboard apps using this guide.

Can you make the onscreen keyboard bigger on Android phones as well?

Yes. Unlike iPhone and iPad devices, all of the default and popular third-party keyboard apps on Android allow you to change the keyboard size. Check out our guide on how to make keyboards bigger on Android phones .

Image credit: Unsplash . All screenshots taken by Mehvish Mushtaq

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Mehvish is a tech lover from Kashmir. With a degree in computer engineering, she's always been happy to help anyone who finds technology challenging. She's been writing about technology for over six years, and her favorite topics include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, social media, and web apps.

Use the floating keyboard on your iPad

With iPadOS, you can use the floating keyboard on your iPad to make the keyboard smaller, so it's easier to type with one hand. Then you can change the keyboard back to its full size.

How to make your iPad keyboard smaller

• Open an app that uses the iPadOS keyboard — like Notes or Messages.
• Use two fingers to pinch the keyboard inward to make it smaller.

To use QuickPath to type with one hand, just swipe your finger from letter to letter to spell the words that you want to use.

How to make your iPad keyboard full size

• Place two fingers on the floating keyboard.
• Spread your fingers apart to enlarge the keyboard back to full size.

Do more with your iPad

Want to split and move the keyboard on your iPad?  Learn how .

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How do I make the keyboard bigger on iPhone?

iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 9.1, iPhone 6s Plus 64GB iOS 9.1

Posted on Jan 11, 2016 1:15 PM

Jan 11, 2016 1:32 PM in response to ReeceS1

Set your Display Zoom view to zoomed, and change the text size to whatever size you want. This will allow your keyboard to turn bigger and the font to stay the same size.

These are a few third party apps:

Thick Buttons

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Jan 11, 2016 2:08 PM in response to ReeceS1

Have a look at a Bluetooth keyboard works on iphone/ ipad.

Dec 28, 2016 7:56 PM in response to JonCalB

How do you do this? I can't seem to find this feature.

Feb 22, 2017 5:35 PM in response to JonCalB

That worked just perfectly! Thank you!