If you use an iPhone or iPad and are still using the old Apple keyboard (How to change keyboards on your iPhoneIf you're not using a keyboard, you might be missing out on a lot of very useful features. Gboard, Google's keyboard, has been one of the most powerful on the market for years, and iOS is no exception: fast typing, on-the-fly translations, GIFs, stickers, integrated search, and much more that make it a Swiss Army knife for writing.
Throughout this guide we will see All the important features of Gboard on iPhone and iPadLearn how to activate them and how to get the most out of them every day. You'll see tricks for typing faster, customizing your keyboard to your liking, taking advantage of the translator, emojis, GIFs, and much more, all explained in Spanish (Spain) with a practical approach so you can get started in minutes.
What is Gboard and why is it worth it on iPhone and iPad?
Gboard is Google's official keyboard for mobile phones and tabletsIt was first released on iOS and then made the leap to Android, and since then it has continued to grow in features. Essentially, it replaces Apple's keyboard, but it doesn't just display letters: it integrates Google Search, an automatic translator, support for GIFs, stickers, voice typing, and even swipe typing.
On iPhone and iPad, Gboard's great advantage is that it concentrates many common actions. directly on the keyboard, without having to switch between apps: you can search for a YouTube video, find an address on Google Maps, or translate an entire message without leaving WhatsApp, Telegram, Mail, or whatever app you're using, as we explain in our Guide to essential apps and tricks for iPhone.
Being a Google app, Gboard leverages the full power of the search engine and the company's servicesThis integration explains why it has become one of the favorite alternatives to the native iOS keyboard, especially for those who frequently use Google products or write in multiple languages.
However, there are nuances in iOS: Gboard is a third-party keyboardTherefore, it's not as deeply integrated into the system as Apple's. In practice, this means that, on occasion, it might take a little longer to appear or consume slightly more battery, and you need to grant it specific permissions (such as full access) to use all its features.
It's also worth remembering that, being from Google, Some of the keyboard usage data may be sent to their servers. to improve predictions, translations, and more. This part is configurable, but it's something to keep in mind if you're very protective of your privacy and don't want a third party managing information about your writing.
How to install and activate Gboard on your iPhone or iPad
First of all is Download Gboard from the App StoreSimply search for "Gboard" and make sure the developer is Google LLC. Once the app is installed, the keyboard won't be active yet: on iOS, you need to take a couple of extra steps in the system settings.
To activate Gboard, Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPadGo to the "General" section and then to "Keyboard". Within that, go to "Keyboards" and tap "Add new keyboard". "Gboard" will appear in the list of third-party keyboards; select it to add it.
Once you've added it, you'll see Gboard listed alongside the iOS keyboard and any others you have installedTap on "Gboard" and enable the "Allow full access" option if you want to use all its features (translation, search, GIFs, etc.). Without this permission, the keyboard will still work, but with very limited functionality.
To start using it, open any app with a text field (Messages, WhatsApp, Notes, Mail…) and press and hold the globe icon in the bottom left corner of the keyboard. A list of available keyboards will appear; select “Gboard” and it will switch instantly.
At any time you can Return to the original Apple keyboard by repeating the same gestureTo switch keyboards, simply press and hold the globe icon and choose "Spanish keyboard" or your usual keyboard. You're not tied to Gboard: you can switch between keyboards as often as you like.
Gboard top bar: the keyboard control center
Once activated, you will see that Gboard has a bar at the top of the keyboard with various icons: the Google G, the search bar, shortcuts to emojis, GIFs, stickers, the translator, settings, etc. This bar is like a quick toolbox that you can customize to your liking.
By pressing on the The Google "G" icon opens a panel with extra features.Web search, translation, access to maps, contacts, YouTube, and more, depending on your version. The idea is that you can do all of that without leaving the messaging app or browser you're using.
If you go into the Gboard settings menu (either by clicking the gear icon or through the Gboard app), you can organize which shortcuts appear visible in the bar and which ones remain hidden in the three-dot menu. This way you prioritize what you use most: perhaps you prefer to always have GIFs and the translator at hand, and hide other secondary options.
On iOS, just like on Android, The toolbar can be rearranged by dragging the icons.You just need to go into the appropriate section within Gboard settings and place each option in the position that feels most comfortable for your daily use.
One interesting trick is that Some features you rarely use can be removed. To free up visual space. If you never use, for example, the shortcut to certain stickers or certain searches, there's no point in them taking up space on the bar.
Integrated translation: write in one language and it comes out in another
One of the star features on iPhone and iPad is the Gboard's built-in translatorStarting with version 1.42.0 of the iOS keyboard, Google added the option to directly translate what you type, without using the Translator app or resorting to the browser.
When you tap on the translator icon within the Gboard bar, A strip opens above the keyboard with two languages.: the language you will write in and the language the text will be translated into. You can change both at any time by tapping on each one.
From there, all you have to do is write normally in your languageGboard will send the text to Google's servers and display the translated version right above it, in the form of a Google Translate card ready to be inserted into the text field.
This feature is especially useful if you usually have conversations in another language (for example, chatting in English or French) and you're tired of copying and pasting from the Translator app or resorting to methods to translate WhatsApp messagesHere you do everything without moving from the keyboard, smoothly and quite quickly.
The quality of the translation relies on the classic Google Translate engine, Therefore, it is usually more than enough for everyday chats, emails, and messages.Even so, if you need something very technical or legal, it's always a good idea to review it carefully or consult a more specialized source.
Access Google Search, YouTube, Maps, and more from your keyboard
Besides the translator, Gboard's other great advantage is that integrates Google search directly into the keyboardWhen you press the G or the search icon, a field appears where you can type what you want to search for.
As soon as you launch the search, Gboard displays compact results within the keyboard itself: cards with definitions, links, YouTube videos, Google Maps locations, images, and other relevant information depending on what you've searched for.
Each result includes a A share button that inserts a link or content directly into your conversationFor example, if you're looking for a restaurant, you can send the Google Maps listing with a tap; if you're looking for a video, the YouTube link is shared, ready for the other person to open.
On iOS, just like on Android, you can Use the keyboard as a gateway to the Google ecosystem: explore videos, locate addresses, consult quick information or even access your contacts associated with your Google account when the version and permissions allow it.
If you don't want the search bar to be always visible, You can disable the search button in Gboard settings.You also have the option to keep the web search but hide certain types of content, such as GIFs or emojis, from the search bar itself, to simplify the interface.
Fast typing: swipe, voice, and smart predictions
One of Gboard's strengths is everything it does to make writing is faster and more comfortableIt's not just typing letter by letter: the keyboard includes swipe typing, voice dictation, and a sophisticated suggestion system.
La swipe writing It works the same way as on Android: instead of tapping each key, you hold your finger down and slide it from one letter to another. Gboard interprets the movement and predicts the most likely word. It's especially handy when you're typing with one hand or walking.
In the top bar, to the right of the suggestions, you will see the icon of a microphoneTapping it activates Google's voice dictation; if you're looking for alternatives or additional tools, see the programs to convert voice to textAs you speak, the keyboard transcribes your voice to text on the screen, which is ideal when you don't feel like typing or can't do it comfortably.
For dictation to be useful, it is important also say the punctuation marks out loud (commas, periods, question marks, etc.), otherwise the text will be one very long block without commas or periods. It feels strange at first, but you get used to it in a few days.
Another key piece is the word suggestions and predictive keyboardGboard adapts to your writing style, learns the words and phrases you repeat, and over time, accurately completes what you want to write, in one language or several if you have configured it that way.
Useful gestures for moving the cursor and deleting text
Gboard hides several gestures that make it more manageable edit text on the touch screen, something that with the native iOS keyboard is sometimes a bit more awkward.
For example, you can Move the cursor by sliding your finger left or right on the space barThis way you can move forward or backward character by character within the word or phrase, without having to precisely place your finger on the point where you want to correct.
You also have a gesture for delete entire sections of textIf you hold down the backspace key (the delete key) and slide your finger to the left, Gboard will start selecting words. When you release your finger, it will delete the entire selected block at once.
To switch between uppercase and lowercase letters in already written wordsSelect the word or group of words and repeatedly press the Shift key. The keyboard will alternate between all uppercase, all lowercase, or only the first letter capitalized.
Finally, there are shortcuts for quick access to punctuation marks and symbolsHolding down the period key usually brings up a small menu with common symbols like question marks, exclamation points, parentheses, and quotation marks. This way, you don't need to switch screens every few minutes.
Emojis, GIFs and stickers: add color to your messages
In a world where almost everything is accompanied by an emoji or a GIF, Gboard is stepping up its game with a search engine for emojis, GIFs and stickers integrated into the keyboard. On iOS, it works very similarly to Android, with some aesthetic adjustments; if you need more details on how to add these options, consult our guide for add emojis and stickers on your iPhone.
To open the emojis, tap on the smiley face that appears in the toolbar or at the bottom of the keyboard, depending on your design. From there you can explore emojis by category or go directly to the GIFs or stickers section from the tabs at the top.
The GIFs tab uses the Giphy search engine, one of the largest catalogs on the InternetYou can type whatever you want ("applause", "laughter", "Friday", etc.) and Gboard will show you a collection of related GIFs that you can insert in one tap into many compatible messaging apps.
In the stickers section, Gboard includes custom sticker packs and Bitmoji compatibilityIf you download the Bitmoji app separately and link it, you can use your custom avatar as a sticker directly from the keyboard.
Another curious feature of the Gboard ecosystem is that, in some cases, The keyboard is able to suggest emojis related to what you type.This suggestion depends on the language and version, but when available it saves you from having to search for the emoji manually.
Clipboard and copy history
Although in iOS some clipboard behavior is managed by the system, Gboard has a dedicated clipboard that remembers what you're copying for a short period of time. This feature is more developed in Android, but the concept is the same.
From the toolbar or the three-dot menu you can open the Clipboard sectionThis displays the text you've recently copied. This way, you're not limited to the last copy; you can reuse several different snippets.
When you activate the clipboard for the first time, Gboard will ask you to explicitly enable itFrom then on, the keyboard will temporarily store what you copy. It's not an infinite history, but for everyday use (phrases, numbers, codes) it's more than enough.
This feature comes in very handy if You often copy data from one app to another (addresses, one-time passwords, repetitive texts) and you always remembered how tedious it was to copy and paste one thing at a time.
Usage modes and on-screen comfort settings
On large screens, like iPhones with their large screens or iPads, typing with one hand can be a bit of a pain. That's why Gboard offers a keyboard mode reduced to one side, which groups the keys closest to the thumb.
On iOS, you can activate this one hand mode From the toolbar or by holding down the comma key or certain keyboard icons (depending on the version). When activated, the keyboard narrows and snaps to the right or left side of the screen; you can also combine it with other options. virtual keyboard on iPad for more comfortable writing on tablets.
Within that mode, you have options to move the keyboard to the opposite side, return it to full size, or manually scroll it. to place it wherever is most comfortable for you. It's especially recommended for larger iPhones if you tend to type with your thumb.
Gboard also allows adjust keyboard heightIn the settings, under preferences, you can choose whether you want it lower or higher. The higher it is, the larger the keys are, but they also take up more screen space; the lower it is, the more content you see, but the keys become slightly smaller.
Finally, from the same preferences you can Show or hide the permanent number rowHaving that fixed row above the letters makes typing numbers very fast, even though it means the keyboard takes up a little more vertical space.
Visual customization and typing feel
Beyond its features, Gboard lets you to significantly affect the aesthetics of the keyboardYou can choose flat color themes, gradients, backgrounds with images, or even use your own photos as the keyboard background, similar to Android.
On iPhone and iPad, you enter the Themes section from the Gboard app or from the keyboard settingsThere you'll find collections of light and dark backgrounds, with landscapes or solid colors. Many include the option to show or hide the key borders to improve readability.
If you prefer a more understated style, you can activate a dark or high contrast theme that works better with iOS's dark mode. This not only helps with eyesight at night, but also makes the keyboard integrate better with the rest of the system.
In the keystroke section, Gboard lets you adjust vibration (on devices that support it) and sound of each touch. You can decide if you want a soft key press, if you prefer it to just vibrate, or if you don't want any feedback beyond seeing the lyrics on the screen.
It is also possible to modify the time that a key must be held down for alternative characters to appear (such as accents, symbols, or secondary numbers). Shortening it makes the additional options appear faster; lengthening it prevents accidental taps.
Language management, personal dictionary and own words
If you write in more than one language, Gboard is especially interesting because It allows you to activate multiple languages at once and detects which one you are typing in.This way, suggestions and automatic correction adapt without you having to manually switch keyboards every few minutes.
From the Gboard settings on iOS you can add new language keyboardsSimply go to the app's language section, tap "Add language," and select the languages you want to use. The keyboard can handle several simultaneously, but it's best not to use too many to avoid chaos.
Within each language you can choose the keyboard layout type (Classic QWERTY, variants with or without the ñ key, and even alternative layouts like Dvorak or Colemak in some configurations). This is very useful if you're used to a specific layout on your computer and want to replicate it on your mobile phone or tablet.
Gboard also incorporates a personal dictionary where you can save your own words, slang, or abbreviationsFor example, if you always use an unusual expression or a word that the spell checker flags as an error, you can add it so that it stops flagging it.
That dictionary also serves to create text shortcutsYou can save a short abbreviation associated with a longer phrase. Every time you type the abbreviation, Gboard will suggest expanding it. It's perfect for email signatures, template messages, or repetitive replies.
Automatic correction, optional censorship, and keyboard behavior
In the spell checking section, Gboard offers a fairly fine control over how and when to correct what you writeYou can turn autocorrect on or off, and decide whether you want it to directly change the words or only suggest alternatives without modifying anything on its own.
You can also indicate if you want that takes into account the names of your contacts for suggestionsYou can choose whether it should learn from the words you use frequently or filter out certain expressions. All of this can be turned on or off in the spelling options.
One interesting option is to hide offensive words In voice dictation and some writing contexts, if enabled, when you say or type words marked as offensive, the keyboard may replace them with asterisks or milder versions. If this doesn't bother you, you can disable it so everything appears exactly as you say it.
If any specific suggestion bothers you (for example, a word that Gboard insists on suggesting even though you never want to use it), You can delete it by pressing and holding it and dragging it to the trash. that appears above the keyboard. From then on it should stop appearing, although if you use it a lot again the system will probably relearn it.
You are free to do so at any time. completely disable suggestions or autocorrect If you prefer to type "without input" and don't want the keyboard to touch anything, you'd lose one of Gboard's biggest advantages: speeding up typing with intelligent predictions.
How to use Gboard in WhatsApp and other iOS apps
Once configured, Gboard can be used in virtually any iOS app that allows writingWhatsApp, Telegram, Mail, Messages, Notes, Safari, social media apps… the keyboard appears in all of them when you select it from the globe icon.
On WhatsApp, for example, it's enough to Open a conversation, tap in the text box, and switch to the Gboard keyboard. From the keyboard selection button. From that moment on, you can send GIFs, stickers, search on Google, or translate messages directly while chatting.
If at any point you want to stop using Gboard, You can disable it from the iOS settingsGo to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, enter the list and remove Gboard, or simply stop selecting it as the active keyboard and return to Apple's keyboard.
If you uninstall the Gboard app from the home screen, The keyboard will no longer be available throughout the systemNo problem: if you regret it later, you can reinstall it from the App Store, repeat the activation, and enjoy all its features again.
With all this, Gboard is becoming a very serious option to replace the native iOS keyboard on iPhone and iPadIf you type a lot, switch between languages, often use GIFs or stickers, or rely on Google Translate, having all these tools integrated directly into the keyboard saves you time, taps, and app switching, making typing much more comfortable and, dare I say, more fun.
