Mobile devices have long ceased to be just tools for making calls, having turned into powerful communication centers, where the style of presenting information plays an important role. Users are often faced with the need to highlight a certain part of a message in order to draw attention to it or, conversely, to show that the information has lost its relevance. The question of how to make a strikethrough text on Android is especially relevant in instant messengers and text editors, where the standard keyboard does not always offer the desired function.
Strikethrough text (strikethrough) performs several functions at once: from simple visual highlighting to a semantic change in a phrase, indicating the cancellation of an action or the correction of an error. Unlike bold or italics, this type of formatting is less common in standard interfaces, which often causes confusion among smartphone owners. Understanding how special characters work hidden menus will allow you to control the appearance of your messages on any device running the Android operating system.
There are several methods for solving this problem, depending on the specific application you are working in. Some platforms use special marker characters, others rely on built-in formatting tools, and still others require the installation of third-party software. There is no universal keyboard shortcut for the entire Android system, so the approach must be adapted to each specific use case.
Using special characters in popular instant messengers
The most common scenario for using strikethrough text is communication in instant messengers. Developers of popular applications have introduced support for the Markdown markup language, which allows you to format messages using special characters. In WhatsApp i Telegram this process is almost identical, although there are nuances that are worth knowing about.
To make text strikethrough, you need to surround it on both sides with a tilde character (~). This works both at the beginning of a phrase and at the end. It is important to follow the sequence: first the symbol is inserted, then the text is written, and immediately after the last character of the text a closing tilde is placed without spaces. If you leave a space between the tilde and the word, the formatting will not work and the recipient will see regular characters.
Let's look at a specific example for clarity. Let's say you want to write the phrase "meeting cancelled" with a strikethrough. You need to enter the following sequence of characters in the message input field:
~meeting cancelled~After sending the message, the application interface will automatically process this command and display the text as meeting cancelled. It is worth noting that in preview mode (before sending) you can see the tilde characters themselves, but after sending they will disappear, leaving only a visual effect. Markdown syntax is a de facto standard for many modern platforms.
- 📱 In WhatsApp, the tilde is on the additional keyboard symbols page.
- ✈️ Telegram supports the same syntax, but also has a formatting menu.
- 💬 Viber does not support native strikethrough through symbols, requiring different solutions.
- 📝 Signal is fully compatible with Markdown markdown for strikethrough.
Sometimes users forget where exactly the tilde symbol is hidden on the virtual keyboard. It is usually found in the numbers and symbols section, often on the second or third page of special characters. In some layouts, for example, in Russian, this symbol may be hidden in a long press on other keys or only available when switching to the English layout.
Built-in formatting tools in Telegram
Unlike many competitors, the messenger Telegram offers users a more advanced and convenient way to manage text style, which does not require memorizing special characters. This is especially convenient for those who do not want to understand the intricacies of Markdown syntax or are afraid of making a mistake in the placement of characters. The functionality of the application allows you to select text and apply formatting to it through the context menu.
The process is as follows: you write a message as usual, then pinch the desired part of the text with your finger to select it. Once selected, a toolbar appears above the keyboard or in the drop-down menu (depending on the OS version and interface). Hidden among the Bold, Italic, and Monospace options is a Strikethrough button. Clicking on it instantly applies the style to the selected fragment.
This method has a significant advantage: you immediately see the result before sending the message. You don't have to guess whether you have entered the correct symbols, and you don't have to re-read the message after sending to make sure it's displayed correctly. Telegram interface is constantly updated, so the layout of the buttons may change slightly in new versions of the application.
⚠️ Attention: In some third-party In Telegram clients (unofficial versions), the formatting menu may be different or absent. It is recommended to use the official application from Google Play to ensure that all functions work.
It is also worth mentioning that in Telegram Desktop (computer version) the keyboard shortcut works Ctrl+Shift+X, but on Android mobile devices there is no such option, so touch control through the selection menu remains the main method. This makes the process intuitive even for beginners who are faced with the need to change the font style for the first time.
If you often use formatting in Telegram, try (long press) on an already sent message and select “Edit”. There is also a text styling menu available for editing old messages.
Working with text in editors and notes
When it comes to creating notes or documents on a smartphone, the situation becomes more diverse. Standard applications, such as Google Keep or Samsung Noteshave their own toolbars, which can be very different from each other. Unlike instant messengers, here formatting is often available through a graphical interface reminiscent of computer word processors.
In the application Google Docs (Google Docs) for Android, the process is as close as possible to the desktop experience. Select the text, click on the “A” icon with stripes at the top in the top menu bar and select the desired style. Among the available options will be strikethrough. This application is a powerful tool for working with text and supports full synchronization with the cloud.
However, in simpler note-takers, such as the standard Notes application from different manufacturers, this function may be hidden. Sometimes it is only available in “Rich Text” mode (rich text), and in simple text mode it is not available at all. Editing capabilities directly depend on the version of Android and the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS).
If the built-in application does not support strikethrough, users often resort to installing third-party editors. Apps like Joplin or Notion offer advanced formatting options, including strikethrough text, task lists, and media attachments. They use the same principles of Markdown or have convenient visual panels.
| Application | Format method | Complexity | Markdown support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Docs | Button in the “A” menu | Low | No (visual editor) |
| Telegram | Text selection + menu | Low | Yes (automatic) |
| Symbols ~text~ | Medium | Yes (partially) | |
| Google Keep | Lists only (checkboxes) | High (no direct strikethrough) | No |
It is important to understand the difference between strikethrough text and completing the task on the list. In some notebooks, clicking on a list item simply puts a check mark, but does not visually cross out the text, although the meaning is similar. For full visual strikethrough, you need font formatting tools.
☑️ Checking the capabilities of your editor
Third-party keyboards and text generators
What to do if your favorite application does not support either Markdown or built-in formatting? Third-party solutions come to the rescue, allowing you to generate text with special styles, then copying it into the desired messenger or social network. This is a universal method that works almost everywhere, including Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
There are special generator applications, for example Fancy Text or Fonts. The way they work is simple: you enter plain text into the application field, select the Strikethrough style, and the app converts regular letters into special Unicode characters that visually look like strikethroughs. After that, you copy the result and paste it anywhere.
There are also keyboards, such as Fonts Keyboardthat integrate into the Android system and replace the standard keyboard. They have a separate tab with styles, allowing you to write strikethrough text directly into the input field of any application. This saves time because you don't have to switch between applications to generate text.
However, this method has its drawbacks. Because special Unicode characters are used rather than actual font formatting, text may appear differently on different devices. On older smartphones, “squares” or question marks may be displayed instead of crossed out letters. Character compatibility not guaranteed 100%.
⚠️ Attention: Using third-party keyboards requires permission to access the input data. Be careful and only download apps from trusted sources, such as the Google Play Store, to avoid leaking personal data.
In addition, in-app search engines may not index such text correctly. If someone tries to find your post using a keyword that is written with the special strikethrough characters, the search may not return a result. This should be taken into account if the importance of searching through the correspondence history is high.
Why does strikethrough text not work in SMS?
Regular SMS messages use the GSM 7-bit or UCS-2 protocol, which do not fully support rich text formatting or Unicode special characters. Therefore, it is technically impossible to make strikethrough text in the standard Messages application without using special intermediary services that send MMS or links.
Technical features and limitations of the system
Understanding how text rendering works in Android helps to understand the reasons for the limitations. The operating system itself does not prohibit strikethrough, but each application decides which font features it is willing to support. This depends on the text display engine used and the Android API version.
In the application code, the flag Paint.STRIKE_THRU_TEXT_FLAGis responsible for this. If the application developer does not activate support for this flag in the settings of the text field (EditText or TextView), then no amount of user tricks will help display strikethrough in the native way. That is why this works easily in some apps, but is impossible in others.
Using Unicode characters (copying method from generators) bypasses this limitation, since for the system these are just different letters, and not a font style. However, as mentioned earlier, this increases the size of the message and can cause display problems. Native formatting Always preferable from a performance and compatibility standpoint.
Another point concerns accessibility. Screen readers for visually impaired users can read crossed out text differently. Native strikethrough may be ignored or reported as “strikethrough,” while Unicode characters may be read as a jumble of characters, making information difficult to understand.
- 🛠️ Native strikethrough saves battery power and memory.
- 🌐 Unicode characters may not display on iOS devices recipient.
- 🔍 Searching text with Unicode characters often does not work.
- ♿ Screen readers understand standard formatting better.
Developers are constantly updating their applications, adding support for new standards. What didn't work a year ago may appear in the next update. Therefore, it is worth periodically checking the settings of your favorite applications for new formatting functions.
Native formatting through application settings or Markdown is always more reliable and safer than using third-party character generators, which may not display correctly on the recipient's devices.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Despite what it seems simplicity, users often encounter difficulties when trying to strikethrough text. The most common problem is that text is sent along with tilde (~) signs that do not disappear. This almost always means there is a syntax error: an extra space, a missing trailing character, or the wrong type of tilde.
Sometimes the problem lies in the keyboard itself. Some custom keyboards can automatically correct or remove special characters, treating them as a typo. In this case, it is recommended to disable auto-correction while typing a formatted message or use the clipboard to paste the desired character.
If you use the copy method from the generator, and the interlocutor’s device displays “squares,” then his font does not support these Unicode characters. The only solution in this case is to ask the interlocutor to update the system fonts or use a different highlighting method (for example, bold font or emoji).
In corporate instant messengers or specialized software, security settings may prohibit the use of Markdown or external fonts. In environments such as Slack or Microsoft Teams on mobile devices, the rules may differ from desktop versions. Always check the help for your specific app.
Why doesn't strikethrough work in WhatsApp?
Make sure you use a tilde (~) and not a hyphen (-) or underscore (_). Also check that there are no spaces between the character and the text. The correct format is ~text~. If the problem persists, update the application to the latest version.
Is it possible to make strikethrough text in an Instagram status?
There is no direct tool for this. You'll have to use a third-party font generator, copy the strikethrough text, and paste it into the status field. However, there is no guarantee that it will be displayed correctly for all subscribers.
How to remove the strikethrough if I made a mistake?
In instant messengers that support editing (Telegram, WhatsApp), just click on the message, select “Edit” and delete the formatting characters. In text generators, simply create a new line without a style and copy it.
Does the Android version affect the ability to strikethrough?
The system version has an indirect effect. Newer versions of Android (10, 11, 12+) have improved font rendering engines, which improves compatibility with Unicode special characters. However, the main dependence is on the version of the application itself.
Is it safe to install keyboards to change the font?
Installing keyboards from the official Google Play store is usually safe. Avoid downloading APK files from dubious sites, as the keyboard has access to everything you type, including passwords.