Typing in Malayalam on an Android smartphone is easy if you have the right keyboard installed. The default Google keyboard on Android does not support Malayalam script. You will need to download and install a third-party Malayalam keyboard app to enable Malayalam typing. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the entire process of setting up the Malayalam keyboard on your Android device step-by-step.
Why Do You Need a Separate Malayalam Keyboard?
Malayalam is an alphasyllabary language spoken in Kerala, Lakshadweep Islands, and Mahe district of Puducherry. It has its own script which is different from the standard English alphabet. The default keyboard on Android phones only supports English and numeric typing. To type in Malayalam script, you need to install a custom keyboard layout made specifically for the Malayalam language.
Android is designed to support adding new languages and keyboards easily. There are many free and paid Malayalam keyboard apps available on the Google Play Store. You can choose the one you like and set it up as an additional input method alongside the default English keyboard. Here are some of the benefits of installing a Malayalam keyboard on your Android device:
- Type emails, messages, notes, etc seamlessly in Malayalam
- No need to copy-paste from a Malayalam editor
- Correct spelling and grammar with automatic spell-check
- Special Malayalam characters and conjunct consonants
- Swipe typing for faster input
- Customize keyboard layout as per your preference
Guide to Install Malayalam Keyboard on Android Devices
The process of setting up a Malayalam keyboard is simple and straightforward. It involves just three main steps:
- Download a Malayalam keyboard app from the Google Play Store
- Enable the Malayalam keyboard on your device
- Switch between Malayalam and default keyboard while typing
Let’s look at these steps in more detail:
1. Download Malayalam Keyboard App
On your Android phone, open the Google Play Store app. In the search bar, type “Malayalam keyboard” and hit enter. You will see a list of various keyboard apps. Some popular and trusted options are:
- Gboard (Google Keyboard)
- SwiftKey
- TouchPal Malayalam Keyboard
- Malayalam Keyboard
- Or ein Malayalam Keyboard
Go through the app descriptions, reviews and ratings to pick the one you like. The Gboard app from Google includes support for Malayalam typing without needing to install any additional keyboard. For others, you may need to download a Malayalam language add-on from within the app after installing it. Most apps are free to download and use.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred Malayalam keyboard, tap on the Install button. Accept any permissions and the app will begin downloading. After the installation completes, you can open the app to configure its settings.
2. Enable Malayalam Keyboard
Now that you’ve installed a keyboard app with Malayalam support, the next step is to enable the Malayalam keyboard on your Android device. Here are the steps to do this:
- Go to Settings -> System -> Languages & input -> Virtual keyboard.
- Tap on the keyboard app you installed.
- Check the box next to Malayalam to enable it.
- If you don’t see Malayalam in the languages list, tap Add language and select Malayalam.
- The Malayalam keyboard is now enabled.
Some apps like Gboard and SwiftKey have an option to easily add multiple languages at once during setup. You can just select Malayalam from the list instead of manually adding it later.
Next, you need to allow keyboard access for the app you installed:
- Go to Settings -> System -> Languages & input -> On-screen keyboard -> Manage keyboards
- Tap on the app and check the box next to Enable on-screen keyboard.
This makes the keyboard accessible across all apps on your Android phone.
3. Switch Between Keyboards
Once enabled, you can easily switch between the default and Malayalam keyboard when typing:
- Tap on the keyboard selection icon in the bottom right corner while typing.
- Select the Malayalam keyboard from the popup to switch to it.
- To switch back, tap the icon again and select the default keyboard.
The keyboard icon varies by app but is usually a globe or language symbol. Some keyboards allow quickly toggling by swiping left or right on the space bar.
And that’s it! You can now use your installed Malayalam keyboard to type in the language on messaging apps, social media, notes, and anywhere you need to input text on Android. Most keyboards include additional features like autocorrect, word predictions, emojis, stickers, glide typing and more for an enhanced typing experience.
Adjusting Malayalam Keyboard Settings
After installing the Malayalam keyboard, you may want to customize its settings and layout to suit your preference. Here are some tips:
- Access keyboard settings from the Languages & input section in Android Settings or from the app itself.
- Enable keyboard sounds and vibrations for tactile feedback as you type.
- Adjust autocorrect aggressiveness if it replaces words too often.
- Change keyboard theme colors and layout if available.
- Add additional Malayalam consonant-vowel combinations and conjuncts if needed.
- Enable or disable glide typing, word predictions and emojis.
- Set Malayalam as the default keyboard if you primarily type in Malayalam.
Take some time to familiarize yourself with the keyboard features. Changing the layout, adding special characters, turning on sounds, etc as per your typing style can go a long way in boosting your productivity when using the Malayalam keyboard.
Troubleshooting Malayalam Keyboard Issues
In some cases, you may encounter issues with the Malayalam keyboard like:
- Keyboard not showing up in the list of input methods
- Special Malayalam characters not appearing properly
- Weird autocorrect behavior and wrong word predictions
- Keyboard app crashing frequently
Here are some things to try out if you are facing problems with the Malayalam keyboard on your Android device:
- Check that the keyboard app has Malayalam language support installed. If not, enable it from the app’s settings.
- Make sure the app has keyboard access enabled from the device settings.
- Try toggling the Malayalam keyboard on and off in the settings.
- Force close and clear cache of the keyboard app to refresh it.
- Look for app updates from the Play Store and install if available.
- Disable battery optimization for the keyboard app.
- Restart your Android device.
- Delete and reinstall the keyboard app if issues persist.
Typing accurately in Malayalam requires the letters to appear correctly. If some consonant combinations or conjuncts are missing from the keyboard layout, look for settings to add them. Reporting the issues to the keyboard developer can also help improve the app.
Conclusion
Installing and enabling Malayalam keyboards on Android is easy and lets you seamlessly type in the language. With the comprehensive step-by-step guide provided above, you will be able to setup the keyboard on your Android smartphone or tablet in just a few minutes. Refer to the instructions for downloading a suitable keyboard app from the Play Store, enabling Malayalam input, and switching between keyboards on the fly.
Customize the Malayalam keyboard settings to your liking. If you face any issues with the keyboard appearance or performance, use the troubleshooting tips to resolve them. With the right Malayalam keyboard, you can type emails, messages, notes and more quickly in Malayalam language directly from your Android device.