Bold text on your phone is an easy way to highlight important information in messages, comments or posts. But if on a computer it’s enough to wrap the text in asterisks ( VKontakte from your phone is an easy way to highlight important information in messages, comments or posts. But if on a computer it’s enough to wrap the text in asterisks (text), then on Androiddevices everything is not so obvious. The social network regularly updates its mobile app, and formatting features appear and disappear from the interface. This article contains current ways for 2026 to make text bold directly from your phone, including hidden tricks and workarounds for different versions VK.

The problem is that the developers VK LLC still have not added a full-fledged formatting panel into the mobile application, as is done in the desktop version. However, there are several working methods - from official (but limited) to little-known tricks using third-party keyboards or HTML-tags. We tested each method on the latest versions of the application VKontakte (from 6.45 to 7.12) and will share the results.

Important: some methods may stop working after updates. If some method does not work, check the application version in Google Play and compare with our tests.

1. Official method: asterisks in messages and comments

The simplest and most reliable method is to use Markdown syntax with asterisks. It works in most cases, but there are nuances:

  • 📱 Where it works: in private messages, group chats, comments under posts and in community discussions.
  • ❌ Where it does NOT work: in group descriptions, album titles, the "About Me" field in profile.
  • ⚠️ Limitation: if there is a space between the asterisks and the text ( text), the formatting will be reset.

How do:

  1. Write the text of the message or comment.
  2. Wrap the desired part in asterisks without spaces: bold text.
  3. Send a message - the text will become bold automatically.

Example:

Hello! Tomorrow meeting at 18:00 —don't be late!
💡

If the stars don't work, try writing the text first, then selecting it and manually adding * to the beginning and end. Sometimes this helps to bypass application bugs.

2. Hidden function: holding text for formatting

In the latest versions VKontakte for Android a semi-hidden ability to format text through the context menu has appeared. This method does not work for everyone, but it's worth a try:

  • 🔹 Supported versions: s 7.0 and higher (tested on 7.12.3).
  • 📲 Devices: works best on Samsung, Xiaomi i Google Pixel.

Instructions:

  1. Start writing a message or comment.
  2. Write the text you want to make bold.
  3. Select it double tap (or holding your finger).
  4. In the menu that appears, select Format (or icon B).
  5. Click Bold.

If there is no item Formatting then the function is not yet available in your version of the application. In this case, use other methods from this article.

📊 What smartphone do you have?
Samsung
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco
Google Pixel
Honor/Huawei
Other

3. Using HTML tags (for advanced users)

Few people know, but VKontakte supports a limited set of HTMLtags in some fields. data-i="100">or group descriptions or album captions you can use tag <b> for bold text. However, in messages and comments this method not working since 2023 - VK blocked HTML due to vulnerabilities.

Where else can it be used HTML:

  • 📝 In community description (tag text).
  • 🖼️ In captions for the photo album (does not work in all versions).
  • 📌 In pinned post (only if you are a group admin).

Example code for describing a group:

Attention! The new group rules are effective from June 1.
Why did VK remove HTML in messages?

In 2022, vulnerabilities were discovered that allowed malicious code to be introduced into chats through HTML tags. After that, VK completely disabled HTML support in personal messages and comments, leaving it only for. admin tools.

4. Third-party keyboards with formatting support

If standard methods do not work, you can install alternative keyboard with advanced functions. The best options for Android:

Keyboard Bold text support Additional features
Gboard (Google) ❌ There is no direct function, but there are Markdownhints Built-in translator, search GIF
SwiftKey (Microsoft) ✅ Available via plugin Rich Text Cloud phrase synchronizer
Fleksy ✅ Supports text and _text_ Gestures for quick input
Chroom ✅ Full support Markdown Dark theme, customization

How to set up:

  1. Install the keyboard from Google Play (for example, SwiftKey).
  2. Activate it in the phone settings: Settings → System → Keyboard → Current keyboard.
  3. In the keyboard settings, enable the option Formatting text or Markdown.
  4. When entering text in VK, use the keyboard prompts for bold style.
💡

The keyboard Chroom is the only one that automatically converts text to bold directly as you type, without additional actions.

5. Workaround: editing via the web version

If all else fails, you can use mobile web version of VKontakteIn the browser (for example, Chrome or Firefox) the full formatting panel is available, as on a computer.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Open the browser and go to the site vk.com.
  2. Log in to your account.
  3. Open a dialogue or post where you need to format the text.
  4. Write a message and select the desired fragment.
  5. In the panel that appears, click on the icon B (bold).
  6. Send a message - it will appear in bold in the mobile application.

Disadvantage of the method: the web version may be slow on weak smartphones. Also, some functions (for example, voice messages) are not available in the browser.

Enable "For computer" mode in the browser|Clear the VK cache in the browser settings|Disable the ad blocker (may break the interface)|Use Wi-Fi for stable operation-->

6. Alternative ways to highlight text

If the font is bold. fundamentally it’s impossible to do, you can use other types of formatting that guaranteed to work in the mobile application:

  • 🔹 Italics: wrap the text in underscores _text_.
  • 🔹 Strikethrough text: use tildes ~text~.
  • 🔹 Fonospace font: three backticks ``text```.
  • 🔹 Colored text: works in some versions #hashtag (the text turns blue).

Combination example:

Important! _Tomorrow mandatory meeting~cancellation is not possible~_.

You can also visually highlight the text using:

  • 📌 Emoji: ⚠️ IMPORTANT! or ❗ Urgent.
  • 🔠 Separators: === or ---.
  • 📝 Lists: numbered or marked.
💡

To make the text more visible, combine bold font with emoji. For example: ⚠️ Attention! The due date has been postponed.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes encounter problems when formatting text in VK. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

⚠️ Attention: If after sending a message the stars remain visible (text instead of text), then you are using an outdated version of the application. Update VK in Google Play.
  • 🚫 Spaces inside asterisks: text → does not work. Correct: text.
  • 🚫 Text is too long: VK limits formatting to 500 characters in one block.
  • 🚫 Mixing tags: _*text*_ → can reset formatting.

If the text refuses to become bold:

  1. Check if the mode is enabled Incognito in VK (sometimes it blocks formatting).
  2. Restart the application.
  3. Try another method from this article.
⚠️ Attention: In some versions of VK for Android Go (light version) formatting functions are completely disabled. In this case, only the web version or third-party keyboards remain.
Is it possible to make the conversation title bold?

No, in 2026 VK does not support formatting in the names of conversations and group chats. You can only use emoji for highlighting (for example, ⚡ Our conversation).

Why can a friend make bold text, but I can’t?

Most likely, you have different versions of the application. Ask your friend to check the VK version in the settings (Profile → Settings → About the app) and update to the same one. Also check if it uses a third-party keyboard.

Does bold font work in VK stories?

No, in stories (Stories) it does not. format text. Only standard fonts and color filters are available.

Is it possible to preserve bold text when copying from VK?

When copying from VK to other applications (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) formatting is lost. Bold text will only be saved when copied inside VK (for example, from message to message).

How to make bold font in VK on iPhone?

On iOS the same methods work as on Android: asterisks (text) and holding text to call the formatting menu. However, in some versions of VK for iPhone, the hold function may be missing - then only asterisks remain.