My themed Android keyboard is spacy.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Android is a reasonably versatile working system. In contrast to iOS, there is a world of customizations ready so that you can dig into. These customizations vary from the overarching to the simplistic (and all the pieces in between).
One of many smaller customizations you possibly can undertake is for the keyboard. Out of the field, the keyboard honors your system theme, which suggests both darkish or gentle.
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However do you know you possibly can theme the keyboard properly past that binary choice? Even higher, you are able to do this activity with out putting in third-party software program, which could be dangerous to make use of.
This customizable characteristic has been part of Android for some time now (since Android 12), and it is hiding in plain sight. You possibly can even create your individual themes from photographs.
Let’s dive in and learn the way simple it’s to theme your Android keyboard.
The right way to change the Android keyboard theme
What you may want: The one factor you may want is an Android machine operating no less than model 12 of the working system.
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Do observe that this technique solely works with the built-in Gboard keyboard. In the event you use a third-party keyboard (which you should not, and it is best to think about eradicating it, as they’re identified to comprise malware). That is it — let’s theme.
Unlock your machine and open any app that makes use of the keyboard. I will display this method with the Android Messages app.
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Open Messages after which faucet to both reply to a present message or create a brand new one, which ought to open the keyboard.
With the keyboard open, it is best to see a small icon that appears like a painter’s palette. Faucet that icon to open the keyboard-theming device.
You possibly can open the keyboard from any app.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
From the keyboard-theming device, you possibly can choose from a pre-configured theme, a strong shade, or a gradient.
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On the prime of the device, you may see a +. In the event you faucet that, you possibly can choose from any photograph you’ve got saved to your machine (be it from the digital camera, screenshots, or downloads).
You possibly can select from one of many built-in themes or create your individual.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
In the event you choose to go along with a customized theme, you can’t solely choose the portion of the picture to make use of, but additionally the brightness of the picture.
Creating an area theme for the Android keyboard from a downloaded picture.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Earlier than you apply the theme, you too can disable key borders should you favor extra of your background picture to look.
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As soon as you’ve got perfected the theme, faucet Apply — and also you’re finished. The brand new theme will now seem each time you open the keyboard.
My newly themed Android keyboard is able to use.
Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET
Congratulations, you’ve got additional personalised your Android expertise. Now, take pleasure in that spiffy new keyboard.