You are trying to type a character @, open a hidden menu or enter a special character on your smartphone, but can’t find the usual button Alt? On a computer keyboard it is always at hand, but on Android it seems to be hidden. In fact, everything is logical: mobile devices are optimized for touch input, and many functions of the PC keyboard work differently here.

In this article we will not only show where exactly is the Alt button hidden on Android (spoiler: it is not in its usual form), but we will also tell you how to get the same result without it. You'll learn about hidden gestures, alternative keyboards, and even how to emulate a full PC keyboard on your phone. And at the end - a table of hot keys for popular applications, where Alt still comes in handy.

Why is there no Alt button on Android (and what replaces it)

On physical keyboards Alt (from English Alternate - “alternative”) is used to access hidden functions: combinations like Alt+Tab switch windows, and Alt+code enters special characters. On Android, this logic is not needed for three reasons:

  • 📱 Touch input: there are no physical keys, and the virtual keyboard adapts to the task (for example, when entering email, it automatically appears @).
  • 🔄 Context menus: long presses are used instead of hot keys, swipes or buttons in the interface.
  • 🤖 Android is not Windows: the operating system was originally designed for mobile devices, where the priority is simplicity rather than compatibility with PCs.

However, this does not mean that the functions Alt are completely unavailable. They were simply implemented differently:

  • 🔠 For special characters (like @, #, $) use the button ?123 or Sym on the virtual keyboard.
  • 🔄 For switch windows swipe on the bottom panel (on new Androids) or press the square button □.
  • 🖱️ For hot keys (for example, in games or a terminal), connect a physical keyboard via Bluetooth.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices with DeX Mode (for example, Samsung Galaxy) when connected to the monitor, a full-fledged keyboard with Alt. But in mobile mode it is still not there.

Where to look for the “hidden” Alt button on a standard keyboard

If you use Gboard (keyboard from Google) or Samsung Keyboard, then analogue Alt hidden in the symbols menu. Here's how to find it:

  1. Open any text entry field (for example, in Notes or Messages).
  2. Press the button ?123 (or Sym) to switch to the numeric keypad.
  3. A button =/< or \|{} will appear in the lower left corner - click it. Rare symbols are hidden here. which are entered on a PC via Alt.
  4. To enter @ or # it is enough to hold the corresponding number (for example, hold 2 for @).

On some keyboards (for example, SwiftKey) path another:

  1. Click on the button with ⌨️ (or +) next to the spacebar.
  2. Select the tab Symbols or Smileys and symbols.
  3. Scroll down - there will be symbols like , § or °, which on a PC are entered via Alt+code.

Make sure the keyboard updated to the latest version|Try holding down the number keys (for example, 0 for °)|If there is no character, install an alternative keyboard (see next section)|Check the input language (some characters are only available on the English layout)-->

If you need ASCI codes (for example, Alt+0169 for ©), then on Android they are entered differently - through Unicode. To do this:

  1. Copy the character from the Unicode table (for example, unicode-table.com).
  2. Paste it in the text field.

How to emulate Alt using a physical keyboard

If you connect it to a smartphone Bluetooth keyboard (or use a phone with a docking station, like Samsung DeX), then the button Alt will appear in its usual form. This is how it is. works:

  • 🔑 On a physical keyboard Alt will perform the same functions as on a PC: switching windows, accessing menus, etc.
  • 🎮 In games (for example, in emulators or Minecraft) Alt often used to control the camera or inventory.
  • 💻 In terminal applications (like Termux) Alt needed for commands (for example, Alt+F4 closes the session).

To connect keyboard:

  1. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone: Settings → Connected devices → Bluetooth.
  2. Turn the keyboard into pairing mode (usually hold down the power button).
  3. Select it from the list of available devices on phone.
⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, Microsoft Office or Photoshop Express) may ignore hotkeys with Alt, even if the keyboard is connected. In this case, use touch analogues in the interface.

If you don't have a Bluetooth keyboard but need full input, try:

  • 🖥️ USB-OTG adapter: connect a wired keyboard via an adapter (works on most modern Androids).
  • 📱 Emulation via Termux: you can send virtual keystrokes in the terminal Alt by command input keyevent.

Gboard (Google)|Samsung Keyboard|SwiftKey|Other virtual|Physical (Bluetooth/USB)-->

Alternative keyboards with support for Alt-like functions

If the standard keyboard is not satisfied, install one of these alternatives - they offer advanced functions, including analog Alt:

Keyboard Alt function Additional features Link (Play Market)
Hacker's Keyboard Full Ctrl, Alt, Esc and arrows Ideal for terminal and SSH, supports Tab Download
AnySoftKeyboard Long press on keys for special characters Customizable layouts, Unicode support Download
Fleksy Gestures for quick access to symbols Minimalistic design, GIF support Download
Termux:Styling Emulation Alt+combinations for terminal Works only in Termux, but supports Alt+F1-F12 Download

Important: The keyboard Hacker's Keyboard is the only one in this list that emulates a full PC keyboard, including Alt+Tab for switching applications (does not work on all devices).

To set up one of these keyboards:

  1. Install the application from Play Market.
  2. Go to Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard.
  3. Enable the new keyboard and set it as default.
  4. Launch any text field and click on the keyboard icon in the status bar to switch.
💡

If you need characters like ¢, ¥ or €, but they are not on the keyboard, try entering them via Google Search: just type in search bar "cent symbol" - and copy the result.

Although there is no virtual keyboard, some applications support its functions through other methods. useful combinations: Alt missing, some applications support its functions through other methods. Here is a table of the most useful combinations:

Application Function Analog of Alt on Android
Termux Switching tabs Swipe left/right on the top panel or Volume Up+D
VLC Playback control Long press on the volume buttons (adjust the sound in 1% increments)
Microsoft Word Insert special characters Press Insert → Symbol in the menu
Chrome Close a tab Swipe tabs left/right in the tab bar
Solid Explorer Hidden files Click ⋮ → Show hidden files

In games (for example, in Minecraft or emulators PPSSPP) Alt often emulated through:

  • 🎮 Setting up controls in the game menu (assign the action to swipe or double tap).
  • 🖱️ Connecting a gamepad (on some models the button Select works like Alt).
How to enter the © character without Alt?

Copy it from here: © - or use Unicode: hold your finger on the input field, select "Paste" → "Symbols" → "Special" and find © in the list.

What to do if Alt does not work even with a physical keyboard

If you connected a Bluetooth keyboard, but Alt does not work, check the following:

  1. Keyboard mode: some models (for example, Logitech K380) have a switch between Android/iOS/Windows. Set it to Android.
  2. Application settings: in Termux or VNC clients You may need to enable hotkey support in the settings.
  3. Firmware update: on some phones (for example, Xiaomi or OnePlus) older versions MIUI/OxygenOS is ignored Alt. Update the system.

If the problem persists, try:

  • 🔄 Reconnect the keyboard: remove it from the list of paired devices and add it again.
  • 🛠️ Use Termux: enter the command termux-setup-storagethen pkg install x11-repo and pkg install tiger-vnc to emulate a full Linux environment with support Alt.
  • 📱 Enable developer mode: sometimes it helps to recognize the keys. To do this, press 7 times on Build number Enable developer mode Settings → About phone.
⚠️ Attention: On some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), you may need to manually configure the file /system/usr/keylayout/Generic.kl for correct operation AltWithout root access, this cannot be done.

Bonus: how to enter ASCII codes on Android without Alt

On a PC, to enter characters like ♥ (heart) or ☺ (smiley) use the combination Alt+code (for example, Alt+3 for ♥). On Android this method does not work, but there are alternatives:

  • 🔢 Via Unicode: copy a character from the table (for example, unicode-table.com) and paste it into the text.
  • 📝 Via Gboard:
    1. Click on ?123, then on =/<.
    2. Hold your finger on the number 1 —a menu with emoticons and symbols will appear.
  • 🤖 Via Termux: set package figlet (pkg install figlet) and use the command figlet "text" to generate ASCII art.

    • For frequently used characters (for example, ©, ®, ™) you can create text abbreviations:

    1. Open Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard → Gboard → Dictionary → Personal dictionary.
    2. Add a new word: in the field Enter "Abbreviation" (c)in the "Phrase" field - ©.
    3. Now when you type (c) it will be automatically substituted ©.
    💡

    On Android there is no direct analogue of Alt, but all its functions are available through the virtual keyboard, physical devices or special applications. know where to look.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Alt button on Android

    Is it possible to add an Alt button to the virtual keyboard?

    No, standard keyboards (like Gboard or Samsung Keyboard) do not support adding Alt. But you can use alternative keyboards like Hacker's Keyboard, where this button is by default.

    How to enter the € (euro) symbol without Alt?

    Switch to the English layout, hold key E —in most keyboards there will be an option with the € symbol. Or copy it from here: €.

    Why does Alt+Tab not work on the connected keyboard?

    Android does not support global hotkeys like Alt+Tab However, in some. launchers (for example Nova Launcher) or modes like Samsung DeX this combination can work.

    How to emulate Alt in games on Android?

    In most games (for example, in emulators PPSSPP or Dolphin) button Alt can be assigned to a swipe or double tap in the control settings. You can also connect a gamepad and configure Select or L3 as Alt.

    Is there a way to enter ASCII codes on Android?

    There is no direct analogue, but you can use Unicode. For example, the character Alt+code no, but you can use Unicode. For example, the symbol ♥ has a code U+2665. (like Termux) you can enter characters through the command echo -e '\u2665'.