Add an Arabic keyboard on your phone and check the result
Updated: September 9, 2026
The Gboard and iPhone paths below are based on the linked official documentation, not a physical-phone test. No tested OS version is claimed. The Samsung path is general and labels vary by One UI version. Adding an input language does not require changing the whole phone language.
Gboard on Android
- In Gboard settings, open Languages and add a keyboard. Choose Arabic, select a layout and finish.
- While typing, hold the space bar and choose Arabic. You can also use the language key if enabled.
Samsung Keyboard
- Search phone settings for Samsung Keyboard. Look under Languages and types, then Manage input languages, and enable Arabic if available.
- If missing, check the connection and keyboard updates. Switching gestures depend on the keyboard settings; look for the language-switching method.
iPhone
- Open Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards → Add New Keyboard, then choose Arabic.
- In a text field, hold the globe or emoji key and choose Arabic.
Check your setup
Open a new note and type “بيت باب ورد 123”. بيت should join; ورد should contain natural breaks. Add a new line, then switch back to your earlier language. Seeing 123 does not mean Arabic failed: digit styles depend on the keyboard and app.
If the result is wrong
Arabic is enabled but the keys are Latin
Check the active keyboard. Adding Arabic in Gboard does not configure Samsung Keyboard. Select the intended keyboard, then its Arabic layout.
Arabic works in Notes but not another app
Copy بيت between the two apps. If the note is correct, investigate the destination app’s font and paragraph direction first.
The language button is missing
In Gboard, check Preferences and the language-switch key option; holding space also switches languages. On iPhone, hold the emoji or globe key.
A shared or managed phone blocks changes
Ask the device administrator or use the browser keyboard for a short message. Clear the editor, clipboard and downloaded files after using a shared device.