How to Make a Keyboard Bigger on Android

Search the Settings app for 'keyboard' or look through the options in your keyboard's settings for size controls

By
Matthew S. Smith
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Matthew S. Smith
Writer
  • Beloit College
Matthew S. Smith has been writing about consumer tech since 2007. Formerly the Lead Editor at Digital Trends, he's also written for PC Mag, TechHive, and others.
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Updated on February 27, 2024
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
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Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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What to Know

  • Samsung: Go to Settings > General management > Samsung Keyboard settings > Size and transparency.
  • Pixel: With the keyboard open, tap the four squares, then Resize. Use the controls to adjust the size.

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

How to Increase the Keyboard Size on Android

You can make your Android keyboard bigger or smaller through either the Settings app (Samsung) or the keyboard's options (Google Pixel). Other phones should work similarly.

Change the Samsung Keyboard Size

Samsung devices have keyboard size controls hidden away in the Settings app. Here's how to get there:

  1. Open the Settings app.

  2. Tap General management.

  3. Choose Samsung Keyboard settings.

  4. Tap Size and transparency.

  5. Use the controls along the edges of the keyboard to adjust its size.

  6. Tap Done to save the new size.

Some phones work differently. If the above steps don't work for you, pull up the keyboard and tap the gear icon. Then, go to Preferences > Keyboard height.

Change the Pixel Keyboard Size

Follow these steps to change the size of the keyboard on a Pixel phone via the Gboard settings:

  1. Select a text box to trigger the keyboard, then tap the four dots from the top left side of the keyboard.

  2. Tap Resize.

  3. Tap-and-drag the top or bottom of the keyboard to resize it.

  4. Press the checkmark when finished to save.

    The four dot menu, Resize, the top handle, and the checkmark highlighted in Gboard for Android.

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.

Install a Different Keyboard

The keyboard that comes with your phone isn't the only option available to you. The best Android keyboards offer all kinds of features you might not get with your stock keyboard. Some can be resized and change the typing experience, offering better one-handed use or more aggressive predictive text.

FAQ
  • How do I change the keyboard on Android?

    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.

  • How do I use Text-to-Speech on Android?

    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.

  • What accessibility features does Android support?

    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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