Modern smartphones, such as Honor 9, have compact screens, which often creates difficulties when typing. Fingers miss the right letters, and visual perception of symbols requires eye strain. Many users wonder whether it is possible to expand the input working area without purchasing a new device. Fortunately, the Android operating system and the EMUI shell provide flexible tools for personalization.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for increasing the keyboard size. We will look at the standard system settings, the capabilities of third-party applications, and hidden functions that not all gadget owners know about. The correct text input configuration can significantly increase typing speed and reduce the number of typos in everyday use.
Before you begin complex manipulations, it is worth checking the basic parameters. Often the problem is solved by simply switching the mode or changing the interface scale. Let's go through all the setup steps one by one to find the ideal option specifically for your use case.
Standard SwiftKey and Gboard keyboard settings
Most devices Honor 9 have a pre-installed keyboard SwiftKey or Gboard from Google. These applications have built-in size controls that do not require installation of additional software. To access the settings, you need to go to the messages menu or any text editor and call the input panel by clicking on the input field.
In the top row of the keyboard or in the settings menu (usually a gear icon or three dots) there is a “Layout” or “Size” section. In some versions of EMUI firmware, this item is hidden in the general system settings. You need to find the slider that controls the height of the panels. By moving it, you will see how the input area changes in real time.
Please note that changing the height also affects the size of the buttons themselves. If you want large characters but not a too tall panel, it's worth experimenting with values in between. Also in the theme settings, you can select an option with a larger font, which will visually make the keyboard larger without changing its physical borders on the screen.
⚠️ Attention: When you increase the height of the keyboard to its maximum, it can cover up to half the screen, which will make it difficult to see the text you are typing at the top of the display. It is recommended to find a balance between the size of the buttons and the overview of the content.
If the standard slider does not give the desired result, try changing the keyboard theme to “High Contrast” or “Large Font” - this often changes the proportions of the buttons.
Changing the display scale through the system settings
The global solution to the problem of small text is to change the scale of the entire interface Android. This setting not only enlarges the keyboard, but also icons, menus, and controls in applications. On Honor 9 this parameter is located in the system settings section. Go to Settings → Display → Text and display size.
Here you will see a slider that adjusts the scale of interface elements. By moving it to the right, you will force the system to redraw all objects larger. The keyboard will automatically adjust to the new dimensions, becoming more comfortable to press. This method is especially effective for users with low vision.
However, it is worth considering that if you zoom in too much, some applications may not display correctly. Controls may extend off the screen or overlap each other. Therefore, it is recommended to increase the scale gradually, checking the operation of frequently used apps after each change.
- 📱 Go to the smartphone settings menu.
- 👁️ Select the “Display” or “Screen” section.
- ⚖️ Find the “Text and display size” item.
- 🔘 Move the slider to the right to a comfortable value.
Activate one-handed mode for ergonomics
One-handed mode is originally designed for operating a large screen with your thumb, but it is also useful for enlarging controls. When this mode is activated, the working area of the screen is compressed and shifted to a corner, but interface elements, including the keyboard, are often scaled relative to the reduced area.
To enable this option on Honor 9, go to Settings → Smart controls → One-handed mode. Activate the switch. Now, when you swipe from the bottom edge of the screen towards the center (or press the special navigation button, if configured), the interface will shrink. In this mode, the keyboard can take up a larger proportion of the available space.
Some users use this trick all the time, since the compressed interface makes all elements denser and larger relative to the interaction area. This reduces the likelihood of accidental pressing with the edge of your palm. However, for full viewing of web pages or videos, this mode may be inconvenient due to the black fields at the edges of the screen.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and menu layout may vary depending on the EMUI firmware version (8.0, 9.0 and higher). If you do not find the item in the specified location, use the search in the settings by entering the request “with one hand.”
The secret of activation through gestures
On some versions of EMUI, one-handed mode can be activated by quickly double-clicking the “Home” button (if using classic navigation) or swiping down the bottom navigation bar.
Using third-party keyboards with flexible settings
If the capabilities of a standard keyboard do not suit you, the best solution would be to install a third-party application from Google Play. The leaders in this niche are TouchPal, Facemoji and Minuum. These applications allow you to change the height of the input panel with pixel precision, and also change the font size regardless of the height of the buttons.
After installing a new keyboard, you need to activate it in the security settings and set it as the default input method. The keyboard menu itself usually has a "Size Settings" or "Height" section. Here you can set a specific percentage of the keyboard height to the screen height, for example, 55% or 60%.
The advantage of third-party solutions is the presence of themes with large buttons and the ability to disable extra rows of symbols, which frees up space for basic letters. Some keyboards even allow you to create your own layouts, where each button can be enlarged individually.
| Application name | Ability to change height | Adjust font size | Russian language |
|---|---|---|---|
| SwiftKey | Yes (basic) | No | Yes |
| Gboard | Yes (intermediate) | No | Yes |
| TouchPal | Yes (advanced) | Yes | Yes |
| Facemoji | Yes (maximum) | Yes | Yes |
Third-party keyboards provide maximum flexibility, but require additional permissions to access the entered text, which is necessary consider from a privacy perspective.
Customizing accessibility settings
Android has an “Accessibility” section intended for people with disabilities, but useful for anyone who wants to make the interface larger. Here you can enable gesture magnification of the entire screen or adjust the system font size in more detail than in the regular display menu.
Go to Settings → Accessibility. Find "Font Size" or "Display and Text Size". Increasing the system font directly affects the size of the labels on the keyboard buttons, making them more readable. The “Zoom” function may also be available here, allowing you to temporarily zoom in on any part of the screen with a double or triple tap.
Using accessibility functions does not require superuser rights and is safe to guarantee the device. However, turning on some features, such as constantly enlarging the screen, may consume additional battery power due to the constant redrawing of the interface by the processor.
- ♿ Open the "Accessibility" section in the settings.
- 🔍 Find the font size and display settings.
- 📈 Increase the value to the maximum comfortable level.
- ✅ Check how the appearance of the keyboard in messengers has changed.
Solving display problems after updates
Sometimes after updating the firmware EMUI keyboard settings may be reset or displayed incorrectly due to software errors. If the sliders don't work or the keyboard remains small despite changes, try clearing the keyboard app cache. This will not delete your dictionaries and settings, but will restart the input service.
To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Manage applications. Find your keyboard (such as SwiftKey or Android Keyboard) in the list. Select "Memory" and click "Clear cache". After this, restart your smartphone. This often restores scaling to work correctly.
If the problem persists, the current version of the keyboard may not be compatible with the new version of Android. In this case, it is worth checking for updates for the keyboard application itself in the Play Market or Huawei AppGallery. Developers often release patches that fix display bugs on specific device models.
⚠️ Attention: Do not remove updates to the system keyboard if it is part of the firmware, as this may lead to unstable operation of the input system. Use only clearing the cache or resetting the settings of a specific application.
☑️ Diagnosing a size problem
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why, after enlarging the keyboard, the text in messages became too small?
This happens when when you change the overall display scale, not just the keyboard settings. The system enlarges all elements, but the proportions may be disrupted in some applications. Try returning the display scale to its original position and increasing only the height of the keyboard through its own settings.
Is it possible to increase only the numbers and symbols, leaving the letters small?
It is impossible to separate the size of different groups of buttons using standard Android tools. However, some third-party keyboards, such as TouchPal, allow you to customize individual themes or layouts, where the row of numbers can be visually highlighted or enlarged by the font.
Does enlarging the keyboard affect the speed of the Honor 9?
No, changing the graphical parameters of the interface does not have a noticeable effect on the processor performance or the speed of the smartphone. The only exception may be a minimal increase in screen energy consumption when using very bright themes with large elements.
How to return all the settings back if it becomes inconvenient?
Go to the keyboard settings and click the “Reset settings” or “Restore default” button. If you changed the display scale, return the slider to the center position in the Display menu. All changes will be applied instantly.
Does keyboard magnification work in landscape mode?
Yes, height and scale settings apply to all screen orientations. However, in landscape mode, the keys become narrower due to lack of space in width, so increasing their height can be especially useful for comfortable typing with two hands.