WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps across the world, with over 2 billion users. It offers fast, simple and reliable messaging and calling for free. One of the issues many Indian users face is how to type and send messages in regional languages like Kannada on WhatsApp.
Kannada is one of the most widely spoken languages in South India, especially in the state of Karnataka. With over 40 million native speakers, it is imperative that WhatsApp has support for Kannada script. Thankfully, WhatsApp does allow you to send messages in Kannada on both Android and iOS devices.
In this detailed guide, we will show you multiple methods to easily type and send messages in Kannada language on WhatsApp.
Enabling Kannada Keyboard on Your Phone
The first step is to enable the Kannada keyboard on your Android or iOS smartphone. This will allow you to easily switch keyboards and type in Kannada within any app on your phone.
Here are the steps to enable Kannada keyboard on Android and iOS devices:
Android Phones
1. Open Settings app on your Android phone.
2. Tap on System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard.
3. Tap on Gboard or Samsung keyboard if you are using a Samsung device.
4. Tap on Languages.
5. Tap on Kannada to download the Kannada language pack.
6. The Kannada keyboard is now enabled. You can switch to it by tapping the Globe icon on your keyboard.
iPhones
1. Open Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on General > Keyboard.
3. Tap on Keyboards > Add New Keyboard.
4. Select Kannada keyboard. It will start downloading the language pack.
5. The Kannada keyboard is now enabled. You can switch to it from the Keyboard selector on the bottom left of your screen while typing.
Enabling the native Kannada keyboard on your phone makes it easy to type in Kannada within any app. Next, let us see how to use the Kannada keyboard to send WhatsApp messages.
Typing in Kannada on WhatsApp
Once you have enabled the Kannada keyboard on your phone, it is straightforward to use it on WhatsApp. Follow these simple steps:
1. Open WhatsApp and go into any chat window.
2. Tap on the text box to bring up the keyboard.
3. On Android phones, tap on the Globe icon and select the Kannada keyboard.
4. On iPhones, tap on the Keyboard selector and select the Kannada keyboard.
5. The Kannada keyboard is now active. You can easily type your message in Kannada script.
6. Type out your message and tap Send or hit the arrow icon to send it.
Your Kannada message will be delivered instantly to the recipient. They will be able to read it seamlessly as long as Kannada script is supported on their phone too.
This method allows you to quickly switch between keyboards and languages in WhatsApp. You can type in English, Kannada or any other language easily within the same WhatsApp chat.
Using Third-Party Kannada Keyboards
If you are not satisfied with the default Kannada keyboard on your phone, you can install a third-party Kannada keyboard app. Popular options include Google Indic Keyboard, Gboard by Google and Swalekh Kannada keyboard.
These dedicated Kannada keyboard apps offer advanced typing features, suggestions, emojis in Kannada and other customizations.
Here is how you can install and use a third-party Kannada keyboard on Android and iOS devices:
Android
1. Open Play Store and search for Kannada keyboard apps like Google Indic Keyboard or Gboard Kannada.
2. Select your preferred keyboard app and tap Install.
3. Once installed, enable the app keyboard from Settings > System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard.
4. Allow permissions if requested by the app.
5. Open WhatsApp, tap the text field and select the newly added Kannada keyboard.
6. Start typing in Kannada seamlessly using features like smart predictions, stickers and emojis.
iOS
1. Open App Store and search for Kannada keyboard apps like Google Indic Keyboard.
2. Select the app you want and tap Get.
3. After installing, open the app and allow any requested permissions.
4. Open WhatsApp, tap the text field and enable the third-party keyboard from the Keyboard selector.
5. Type in Kannada easily with the customized keyboard interface and features.
Dedicated Kannada keyboard apps provide an enhanced typing experience with local language support. Find one that suits your requirements from the variety of keyboard apps on Android and iOS app stores.
Using Kannada Fonts for Stylish Text
You can make your Kannada WhatsApp messages stand out by using stylish and decorative Kannada fonts. Apps like Stylish Text and Fonts Keyboard allow you to type in hundreds of unique Kannada fonts to send to your contacts.
Here is how you can install and use Kannada font keyboard apps on Android and iOS:
Android
1. Install app like Stylish Text from Play Store.
2. Open the app and download the Kannada font packs you want.
3. Allow permissions if requested.
4. Open WhatsApp and select the font keyboard from the Keyboard selector.
5. Choose a fancy Kannada font and start typing your message.
6. Tap Send to send the stylish message instantly.
iOS
1. Install app like Fonts Keyboard from App Store.
2. Open the app and enable permissions if asked.
3. Download Kannada fonts packs of your choice.
4. In WhatsApp, tap the text field and choose the font keyboard.
5. Select a stylish Kannada font and type your text.
6. Tap Send or the arrow icon to send the message in the decorative font.
With hundreds of fonts to choose from, you can make your festive greetings, invitations and other messages stand out with these Kannada font keyboard apps.
Using Kannada Stickers on WhatsApp
Stickers are a fun way to express yourself visually on WhatsApp chats. There are many third-party apps that provide WhatsApp stickers in regional languages like Kannada.
Install a Kannada sticker app from Play Store or App Store. Open the app, download sticker packs of your choice and follow the steps to add them to WhatsApp.
Popular options for Kannada include:
| App | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Kannada Stickers for WhatsApp | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Stickers Kannada WAStickerApps | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Kannada WhatsApp Stickers | ❌ | ✔️ |
Once you install these apps and add the stickers pack to WhatsApp, you can access them from the WhatsApp sticker panel. Tap on the emoji icon while typing and select the sticker to send. Kannada stickers make your chats more expressive.
Using Kannada Keyboards on WhatsApp Web
You can also type Kannada messages on WhatsApp Web accessed via your phone browser or desktop. This is useful when you want to chat on a bigger screen.
To enable Kannada typing on WhatsApp Web:
1. Ensure WhatsApp Web is paired with your phone via QR code scan.
2. On your computer browser, go to WhatsApp Web.
3. Click on the paperclip icon and select Keyboard.
4. Choose the Kannada keyboard and start typing in Kannada.
5. Type your message and hit Enter to send it.
This method works seamlessly across Windows, Mac as well as Chromebooks. Your messages will sync across phone and WhatsApp Web in real-time.
Dictating Kannada Messages
Speaking your messages can be quicker than typing on the keyboard. Both Android and iOS platforms provide text dictation features that can transcribe your Kannada voice messages into text in WhatsApp.
Here is how to use voice typing for Kannada on WhatsApp:
Android
1. Download and install the Google Voice Typing app for Kannada if not already available. This enables voice typing for regional languages.
2. Open WhatsApp and tap on the microphone icon in the message compose box.
3. Speak your message clearly in Kannada. Tap Done when completed.
4. The speech will be converted to Kannada text automatically. Tap Send to deliver it.
iOS
1. Ensure Kannada Siri voice recognition is enabled on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Siri & Search and add Kannada.
2. Open WhatsApp and tap and hold the microphone icon while typing a message.
3. Now speak your message in Kannada. Lift your finger once done.
4. The speech will be transcribed into Kannada text. Review it and tap Send.
Voice typing is very handy when you want to send longer text messages handsfree. Ensure background noise is minimum for maximum accuracy.
Copying Kannada Text from Other Apps
If you already have Kannada text in notes or other documents, you can simply copy and paste it in WhatsApp to send.
Follow these steps:
1. Open the app where you have the Kannada text. Select and copy the text.
2. Open WhatsApp and paste the text in the message box by tapping and holding.
3. The Kannada text will be pasted. Review it and tap Send to deliver the message.
This allows you to quickly send passages, notes, lyrics or any other Kannada text saved on your phone via WhatsApp.
Conclusion
WhatsApp offers seamless support for messaging in regional languages like Kannada. With the various input methods discussed above, Kannada users can easily send messages, images, videos and voice notes in Kannada script to their contacts.
From enabling the native Kannada keyboard to using specialized third-party keyboards and stickers, there are multiple ways to unlock Kannada typing on WhatsApp. Voice dictation support further simplifies handsfree messaging.
Overall, the messaging app has made active efforts to provide native language support on both Android as well as iOS platforms. With these tips, you can start conversing in your preferred regional language on WhatsApp without any hassles. This enhances user engagement for millions of native language speakers across India.