Gboard is a custom keyboard developed by Google for iPhone and other iOS products. You can find the settings within the Gboard app. Many of the built-in menu options are identical to those available for the iPhone's default keyboard, but only affect Gboard's features. However, some app preferences take precedence over general settings when using the Gboard keyboard. Likewise, some iOS main keyboard settings, such as key order and automatic text replacement are also used by Gboard.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Using the Gboard App
Step 1. Download and install Gboard
This is a custom keyboard that allows for built-in Google searches and Android-style swipe typing. Search for Gboard in the App Store and press "Get" to install it. Once the app is open, follow the simple on-screen instructions to set it up.
Step 2. Access the Gboard keyboard settings
Launch the app and press "Keyboard Settings". The list of keyboard options will appear.
Step 3. Activate swipe typing
This feature allows you to write words by sliding your finger from key to key without lifting it from the screen. This is a unique feature of Google keyboards, not available on iOS.
The button turns blue if the setting is active, otherwise it is gray
Step 4. Turn on Emoji Suggestions
This feature suggests emojis in addition to words as you type (for example, typing the word "happy" will suggest a smiley face instead of the word).
Step 5. Turn on Auto Correction
This feature automatically corrects misspelled words. Pay attention to proper names and place names when it is active; those terms may not be recognized by the phone dictionary and may be changed to unwanted words.
Step 6. Turn on Auto Caps
This feature automatically inserts capital letters at the beginning of sentences and for proper names that are recognized.
Step 7. Activate Offensive Word Block
This option omits words considered vulgar by the filter. It doesn't prevent you from writing words of that type by hand (although they can be changed by the autocorrect), but they won't appear when typing and scrolling through suggestions.
Step 8. Activate Pop-up buttons
This feature shows a small pop-up of the key you just pressed while typing.
Step 9. Turn on Caps Lock
This feature allows you to write only uppercase letters by holding down the "Up Arrow" (or Shift) key on the keyboard. Caps lock is indicated by a line under the arrow. If you happen to accidentally enable Caps Lock, you can turn this feature off altogether.
Step 10. Turn on Show lowercase letters
This option allows you to choose whether the keyboard should show lowercase letters when uppercase is not active. By disabling this feature, the keyboard will always show capital letters, such as physical ones.
Step 11. Activate the Double space per dot shortcut
This feature allows you to place points by pressing the space key twice. It can be useful if you write very quickly.
Part 2 of 2: Changing the Key Order and Substitutions
Step 1. Open the iPhone or iPad settings
From here you can access all installed keyboards. The options present both here and on Gboard will not be applied to the Google keyboard. You will need to change those settings within the app for them to take effect.
Step 2. Access the keyboard settings
Go to "General> Keyboard" to open them.
Step 3. Press Keyboards
A list of all available keyboards will be displayed.
Step 4. Set Gboard as your primary keyboard
Press "Edit" and drag Gboard as the first item on the list. Press "Done" to save the settings. This way Gboard will be first on the list when you switch keyboards.
Step 5. Edit the text replacements
Go back to the keyboard settings and hit "Text Replacement". Here you can set filters and shortcuts to apply when writing. Press the "+" button to enter a phrase and the word to replace it with, then press "Save" to complete the operation.
