The keyboard on a smartphone is one of the most popular tools, but its standard location is not always convenient. If you left-handedsuffer from thumbs or just want to optimize your text input, changing the keyboard position can make life a lot easier. Fortunately, Android offers several ways to adapt it to your needs - from basic settings to hidden functions and third-party applications.

In this article we will look at all available methods for shifting, scaling and customizing the keyboardincluding solutions for devices s Android 10+, Samsung One UI, Xiaomi MIUI and other popular shells. You will learn how to:

  • 🔄 Move the keyboard left/right for the convenience of left-handers
  • 📏 Change its size or transparency
  • ⚙️ Customize gestures and floating window
  • 📱 Use alternative keyboards with advanced functions

Important: features may vary depending on the version Android and smartphone manufacturer. If your device does not support standard settings, don’t worry, we will provide workarounds!

1. Standard keyboard settings in Android

Most modern smartphones on Android allow you to change the position of the keyboard without installing additional applications. This method works on Gboard (keyboard from Google), which is pre-installed on most devices, as well as on proprietary keyboards Samsung, Xiaomi and other brands.

To find these settings:

  1. Open any application where the keyboard appears (for example Messages or Notes).
  2. Tap the icon gears ⚙️ on the keyboard panel (usually in the top row on the right).
  3. Select item Keyboard settings or Advanced settings.
  4. Look for sections like Location and size, Position on the screen or For left-handers.
Where can I find settings on different shells?

Samsung One UI: Keyboard settings → Layout and input → Keyboard position
Xiaomi MIUI: Additional settings → Size and position
Stock Android: Themes and design → Gboard → Settings → Preferences

In some versions Android the keyboard shift option may be hidden. For example, in Gboard it can be found along the path:

Settings → Themes, design and layout → Position on the screen
⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12 and newer, some parameters may be moved to the section Special features (for example, on Pixel or Motorola). If you don’t find the item you need, check there.

2. Shift the keyboard left or right for left-handers

If If you left-handedness or hold the phone with one hand, the standard keyboard layout can create discomfort. Fortunately, many keyboards (including Gboard and Samsung Keyboards) support sideways.

How to enable:

  • 📱 Open the keyboard in any application.
  • 🔧 Click on settings icon (⚙️) on the toolbar.
  • 🔄 Select Screen position (or For left-handers).
  • 🖱️ Drag the slider left or right to move the keyboard.

On some devices (for example, Huawei or Oppo), this function may be called One hand (One-handed mode). by hand

Make sure you have the latest version of the keyboard installed

Check the settings in the "Layout" or "Design" section

If there is no option, try a third-party keyboard (see section 5)

Reboot the device if there are no changes applied

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On Samsung Galaxy s One UI 5.0+ there is an additional option Floating keyboardthat allows you to move it to any location on the screen. This is especially convenient for large smartphones (for example, Galaxy S23 Ultra or Note-series).

3. Changing the size and transparency of the keyboard

In addition to shifting, you can customize zoom and transparency This. useful if:

  • 👀 You need to see more of the screen content (for example, in instant messengers).
  • 📱 The keys are too large or small for your fingers.
  • 🎨 You want to make the keyboard less noticeable (for example, for screenshots).

How to change the size:

  1. Open the keyboard settings (see section 1).
  2. Find the item Keyboard Size or Layout.
  3. Use the slider to increase/decrease.
  4. On some keyboards (for example SwiftKeyyou can change the height separately from the width.

To change transparency:

Settings → Themes and appearance → Background transparency

This function is not available on all devices, but it is supported Gboard, Chroom and some branded keyboards (for example, on Xiaomi Redmi Note 12).

Parameter Gboard Samsung Keyboard SwiftKey
Shift left/right ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (One-handed mode) ❌ No
Resize ✅ Yes (height/width) ✅ Yes (height only) ✅ Yes
Transparency ✅ Yes ❌ No ✅ Yes
Floating keyboard ❌ No ✅ Yes (on One UI 4.0+) ❌ No
⚠️ Attention: On Android 13 and later, some design parameters may be reset after updating the system. We recommend recording the settings with a screenshot or writing them down in Notes.

Gboard (from Google)

Samsung Keyboard

SwiftKey

Another (write in the comments)

I don’t know what kind of keyboard I have

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4. Floating keyboard: move it anywhere on the screen

If you need completely free layout a keyboard (for example, to work with two applications at the same time), pay attention to floating modeIt is not available on all devices, but it can be enabled on:

  • 📱 Samsung Galaxy (One UI 4.0 and later)
  • 📱 Huawei (EMUI 12+)
  • 📱 Some devices with MIUI 13 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro)

How to enable the floating keyboard on Samsung:

  1. Open the keyboard and press on Settings icon (⚙️).
  2. Select Layout and input → Floating keyboard.
  3. Activate the switch.
  4. Now you can drag the keyboard with your finger anywhere on the screen.

On other devices, the path may be different. For example, on Huawei P50 Pro this function is called Mini Keyboard and is located in:

Settings → System → Language and input → Huawei Keyboard → Layout
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The floating keyboard is especially convenient for large smartphones (6.5" or more). Try placing it closer to the edge of the screen - it’s easier to type with one hand!

If your keyboard does not support floating mode, you can use one-handed mode (see section 2) or install a third-party application (more on this in the next section).

5. Third-party keyboards with advanced settings

If the standard features Android do not suit you, pay attention to alternative keyboards. They offer flexible customization of location, gestures and even key customization.

Top 3 keyboards with support for shifting and zooming:

  1. Chroom (former Fleksy)
    • 🔄 Support for left/right shift.
    • 🎨 Full customization of color and size.
    • 🤖 AI word prediction.
  2. SwiftKey (from Microsoft)
    • 📏 Keyboard height adjustment.
    • 🔍 Smart search for Emoji and GIF.
    • 🌍 Supports more than 100 languages.
  • AnySoftKeyboard
    • 🛠️ Maximum customization (including key layout).
    • 🔒 Open source code.
    • 📱 Gesture support (for example, swipe to delete a word).

      • How to install and configure Chroom:

      1. Download the application from Google Play.
      2. Activate it in the system settings: 
        Settings → System → Language and input → Virtual keyboard
      3. Open Chroom and go to Settings → Layout.
      4. Select Keyboard position and slide it to the left or right.
      5. If necessary, adjust the size in Key size.
    ⚠️ Attention: When using third-party keyboards, some functions (for example, voice input or text prediction) may work differently than the standard keyboard. Before installing, check reviews on Google Play!
    💡

    Third-party keyboards are updated frequently and add new features if you are missing out. flexibility - stay tuned for updates on Google Play!

    6. Gestures and additional functions for convenience

    In addition to changing the location, modern keyboards support gestures. data-i="232">on the spacebar to move the cursor (onthat simplify text entry. For example:

    • 👆 Swipe up/down press the spacebar to move the cursor (in Gboard).
    • 👈 Swipe left on the delete key to quickly erase a word.
    • 🔄 Double tap on the language key to switch layouts.

      • How to set up gestures in Gboard:

      1. Open the keyboard settings.
      2. Go to Gestures or Additional settings.
      3. Activate options like Swipe to move the cursor or Gesture to delete.

      On Samsung Keyboard there is a unique function Keyboard Labwhere you can enable:

      • 🎯 Target swipe —slide your finger from key to key without lifting it.
      • 🔍 Search for emoji right while typing.
      • 📎 Quick attachment files from the gallery.

      These features are especially useful if you you often type long texts or work with several languages. For example, Xiaomi you can set quick switching layout to swipe on the space - this saves time when typing mixed text (Russian + English).

      7. does not save settings

      Sometimes after changing the keyboard location, settings reset or are not applied. This can happen for several reasons:

      • 📵 Conflict with other applications (for example, by launchers or optimizers).
      • 🔄 Automatic update keyboard or system.
      • 🗃️ Clearing the cache applications.

      How fix:

      1. Restart the device.

        Sometimes this helps with temporary failures.

      2. Clear the keyboard cache.

        To do this, go to:

        Settings → Applications → [Your Keyboard] → Memory → Clear cache
      3. Update your keyboard.

        Go to Google Play and check for updates.

      4. Reset settings.

        In the keyboard menu, find Reset settings or Restore defaults.

      If the problem persists, try:

      • 🛠️ Install another keyboard (see section 5).
      • 📋 Disable battery optimization for the keyboard in settings Android.
      • 🔧 Check the device for system updates.
      ⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example Realme or Oppo) proprietary shells can block changes to third-party keyboards. In this case, only alternative software will help.

      8. Additional tips for maximum convenience

      In addition to changing the location, you can optimize the keyboard in other ways:

      • 🎵 Sounds and vibration: turn on tactile feedback in the keyboard settings - this will help you type more accurately.
      • 🌓 Dark theme: if you often use your smartphone at night, switch the keyboard to dark mode (saves battery life by AMOLED screens).
      • 🔤 Quick phrases: save frequently used words or sentences (for example, email or address) in Text replacements.
      • 🌍 MULTI-Lingua: add multiple languages and set up quick transitions between them.

      On Samsung Galaxy there is a useful function Tablet Keyboardthat divides the keys into two parts - convenient for large screens (for example, Galaxy Z Fold or Tab S).To enable it:

      Keyboard Settings → Layout and Input → Tablet Keyboard

      If you often type on the go, try voice input. It is available on most keyboards (the 🎤 icon next to the spacebar). On Pixel and devices with Android 12+ voice input is supported punctuation and formatting by voice (for example, you can say “period” or “new paragraph”).

      💡

      If you often type on social networks, set up quick access to emoji and stickers in your keyboard. In Gboard, this is done in the section Emoji, stickers and GIFs.

      Frequently asked questions. (FAQ)

      Is it possible to change the keyboard location on Android 9 and below?

      On older versions Android (9.0 and below) the standard keyboard settings are limited. You will need to:

      1. Install a third-party keyboard. (for example, Chroom or SwiftKey).
      2. Use one-handed modeif available.
      3. Try ADB commands to force a zoom change (requires technical knowledge).

      Please note that on Android 8.1 and below some functions may not work due to system limitations.

      Why were the keyboard settings reset after updating Android?

      This a typical problem with major updates (for example, from Android 11 to Android 12). To avoid losing settings:

      • Before updating data-i="343">current settings. screenshots current parameters.
      • Use backup settings (if the keyboard supports this function).
      • After updating manually reconfigure the keyboard using saved screenshots.

      On some devices (for example, Samsung), the keyboard settings are saved in your account Samsung Cloud —check if synchronization is enabled.

      How to return the keyboard to its original state position?

      To reset the keyboard settings:

      1. Open the keyboard settings.
      2. Find the item Reset settings, Restore to default or Clear data.
      3. Confirm the action.

      If there is no reset option, remove and reinstall the keyboard from Google Play.

      Is it possible to change the location of the keys (for example, swap “Z” and “I”)?

      Standard keyboards (Gboard, Samsung Keyboard) do not allow you to change the location of individual keys. However, this can be done using:

      • AnySoftKeyboard — supports full customization of the layout.
      • External Keyboard Helper — for physical keyboards (if you connect via Bluetooth).
      • ADB commands (requires root access or an unlocked bootloader).

      Changing the layout at the system level will require technical knowledge and may void the warranty!

      Why is there no keyboard shift option on my phone?

      The lack of this function may be due to with:

      • Outdated version of Android (below 10.0).
      • Proprietary shell (for example, on Nokia or Alcatel the settings are often cut down).
      • Installed keyboard (try Gboard or SwiftKey).

      Solution:

      1. Update the keyboard and system to the latest version.
      2. Install an alternative keyboard from Google Play.
      3. Use one-handed mode as a temporary solution.