Install an Arabic keyboard on Android

On most Android phones, the keyboard you already have, Gboard or Samsung Keyboard, can type Arabic: you only need to add the language. This guide explains how to install the Arabic keyboard on Android, pick a layout and switch between English and Arabic while you type.

How to use

Open the Gboard settings: tap the gear icon above the keyboard, or go to Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard > Gboard (the path varies by phone maker and Android version).
Tap Languages, then Add keyboard.
Type Arabic or العربية in the search box and select the Arabic language.
Choose one of the layouts on offer, using the preview shown on screen, then confirm.
Go back to a messaging app: a globe key appears near the space bar as soon as two languages are installed.
Tap the globe, or press and hold the space bar, to switch between English and Arabic.
With Samsung Keyboard, open its settings, then Languages and types > Manage input languages, turn on Arabic and download it if the phone asks you to.

Installing the Arabic keyboard on Android: Gboard or Samsung Keyboard?

To check which keyboard your phone uses, open Settings > System > Languages & input, then the on-screen keyboard section (its name depends on the manufacturer): the default keyboard is listed there. Gboard, Google’s keyboard, comes with a large share of Android phones. Samsung Galaxy phones use Samsung Keyboard by default, but you can install Gboard from the Play Store if you prefer it.

Both keyboards handle Arabic with no extra app. They type from right to left, join the letters automatically and suggest Arabic words as you type. In most apps, the text direction adjusts by itself from the first Arabic letter.

Choosing your Arabic layout

When you add Arabic, Gboard shows several layouts with a preview. The one that follows the usual Arabic keyboard order suits people who already know the computer layout. The other options match different typing habits, so take a moment to look at the preview before confirming.

For vowel marks and less common letters, try pressing and holding keys: many mobile keyboards hide variants there, such as the forms of alif with hamza. Where they are depends on the keyboard and the layout you picked.

Troubleshooting on Android

Arabic is not in the list. Update Gboard or Samsung Keyboard from the Play Store or Galaxy Store, then try again.
The keyboard changes language on its own. A long press on the space bar, or a swipe on some keyboards, may have triggered it. Tap the globe again to go back.
Suggestions stay in English. They follow the active language, so make sure Arabic is selected before you type.
The wrong keyboard is in use. Under Settings > System > Languages & input, choose the default keyboard (the exact section name varies by manufacturer).

Typing Arabic without changing any settings

On someone else’s phone, or for a one-off message, the online Arabic keyboard needs no installation. It replaces the phone keyboard with touch-friendly keys, and its Words mode understands Arabizi: type salam followed by Space and it becomes سلام. Then copy the text into WhatsApp or any other app.

Other devices to set up? See the Windows, Mac and iPhone guides.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add Arabic to my Android phone's keyboard?

In the Gboard settings, open Languages, tap Add keyboard and choose Arabic. On a Samsung phone using Samsung Keyboard, turn Arabic on under Languages and types > Manage input languages. Arabic then sits next to your other languages.

Why is there no globe key on Gboard?

The globe only appears when at least two languages are installed. If it is still missing, look in the Gboard preferences for the option that shows the language switch key; its name varies between versions. Pressing and holding the space bar also changes the language.

How do I type Arabic with English letters on Android?

For some languages, Gboard offers transliteration layouts: you type in Latin letters and the keyboard suggests the original script. What is available depends on the language and the app version. The Phonetic mode of the online Arabic keyboard works on any phone.

How do I remove the Arabic language from my Android keyboard?

In the Gboard settings, open Languages, tap the pencil-shaped edit icon, select Arabic and delete it. On Samsung Keyboard, simply turn Arabic off in Manage input languages.

Can I type in Arabic on a phone without changing its keyboard?

Yes. The online Arabic keyboard opens in your browser and, on mobile, takes the place of the phone keyboard while you type. The Phone keyboard button brings your usual keyboard back, and the Copy button grabs your text.

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