​How to change the keyboard on your Android smartphone

Smartphones have evolved from feature phones with keypads to touchscreen flagships with on-screen keyboards. Stock Android keyboards were not as productive as they are today. With every new iteration of the OS, developers have been given access to take advantage of all the functionalities in Android.

So many users, like myself like to use third-party keyboards. My personal favourite being SwiftKey and Google's Gboard. The app is an essential replacement to the stock Android keyboard for anyone who wishes to send messages quickly while also suggesting names of contacts or places (depending on the context of the message).

So, we show you how you can change the keyboard of your Android smartphone in just a few easy steps.

Step 1:
Most new Android phones will require to install or update Gboard . So, head over to the Google Play Store and see if the app has already been installed or if you need to update it.

Step 2:
Once the installation/update is done, head over to the app where you wish to compose your message. This could be WhatsApp, Gmail or even Facebook.

Step 3:
Once the keyboard opens, you need to swipe down the notification centre, where you will find the settings pop-up for your keyboard.

Step 4:
On clicking the pop-up, you are redirected to the settings page of 'Languages and Input'. This is where you can also manage the system and keyboard languages. You can add other languages too before you change your keyboard.

Step 5:
Diving into the 'Keyboards' section, you can select Gboard from the available keyboards. The advantage of Gboard is that it turns your keyboard into a mini-Google search bar while you message your friends and family. To make your conversations more fun, you can even search and send GIF files and images right from the keyboard.