How to Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android

This wikiHow teaches you how to create a two- or three-letter typed shortcut for a full phrase or sentence on an Android.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using Android Oreo

  1. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 1
    1
    Open the Settings
    Android 7 Settings
    app.     It's the blue-grey cog icon in your App Drawer. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the App Drawer.
    • You can also swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the cog icon.
  2. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 2
    2
    Scroll to the third group of options and tap Language & Input. It's the Language & Input menu.
    • On some phones, you may need to tap System to access the Language & Input menu.
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 3
    3
    Select Personal Dictionary. It's the third option in the Language & Input section.
  4. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 4
    4
    Select +. It's in the top right corner of the screen.
  5. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 5
    5
    Type a word of phrase. Tap the line at the top and type a word or phrase that you want to create a shortcut for. For example, you could type "I love you".
  6. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 6
    6
    Type a shortcut. Tap the line next to labeled "Optional shortcut" and then type the shortcut you want to use for the phrase you typed. For example, if your phrase is "I love you", you could type "ily". This adds the shortcut to the keyboard.[1]
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using Samsung Galaxy

  1. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 7
    1
    Open the Settings
    Android 7 Settings
    app.     It's the icon that resembles a cog in the App Drawer. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access your App Drawer.
    • You can also swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the cog icon.
  2. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 8
    2
    Scroll down and tap General management. It's near the bottom of the Settings menu. It's next to an icon that resembles slider bars.
  3. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 9
    3
    Tap Language and input. It's the first option at the top of the General Management menu.
  4. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 10
    4
    Tap On-screen keyboard. It's the first option under the header that says "Keyboards".
  5. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 11
    5
    Tap Samsung Keyboard. Samsung keyboard is the default keyboard for Samsung Galaxy devices. If you are using this keyboard, it appears at the top of the keyboard.
    • If you are using a keyboard other than the default keyboard, it will have different menu options.
  6. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 12
    6
    Tap Smart typing. It's the second option in the Samsung Keyboard menu.
  7. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 13
    7
    Tap Text Shortcuts. It's the third option in the Smart Typing menu.
    • If this option is grayed out, tap the toggle switch next to "Predictive text" to turn on predictive text.
  8. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 14
    8
    Tap Add. It's in the upper-right corner of the Text Shortcuts menu. This displays a pop-up that allows you to add a text shortcut.
  9. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 15
    9
    Type a shortcut. Tap the line that says "Shortcut" and type a shortcut you want to use for a word or phrase. For example, you could type "ily" for the phrase "I love you".
  10. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 16
    10
    Type a phrase. Tap the line that says "Expanded phrase" and type the full word or phrase you want to use for your shortcut.
  11. Image titled Add Custom Text Shortcuts to Android Step 17
    11
    Tap Add. It's in the lower-right corner of the Add shortcut pop-up.
    12. Advertisement

Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I add multiple text shortcuts ( >40 ) to Android?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you are using the Google keyboard (downloadable from the Play Store) for your phone, you can go into Settings > Languages and Input > Personal Dictionary > Add (+), where you can type in the words that you want and create the optional shortcut. For example, you can set it so when you type "XD" you get the auto-suggestion of "hahaha!". You can add as many as you like to it, just make sure you also select the Google keyboard to be your primary one.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • If you're using a keyboard other than the default keyboard, it may not support text shortcuts, or the settings may be different.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Find Your Phone Number on Android
How to
Find Your Phone Number on Android
Remove the Emergency Call Button on Android
How to
Remove the Emergency Call Button on Android
Hide Apps on Android
How to
Hide Apps on Android
Best Tachiyomi Manga ExtensionsHow to Find the 9 Best Manga Extensions for Tachiyomi
Check What Kind of Android Phone You Have
How to
Check What Kind of Android Phone You Have
Connect Android Phone to Computer
How to
Connect Android Phone to Computer
Access the Clipboard on AndroidA Guide To Copying and Pasting with the Android Clipboard
Change Number of Rings on Android
How to
Change Number of Rings on Android
Unlock an Android Tablet4 Ways to Unlock an Android Tablet
See if Someone Read Your Text on Android
How to
See if Someone Read Your Text on Android
Change the Screen Resolution on Your Android
How to
Change the Screen Resolution on Your Android
Unroot Android
How to
Unroot Android
Disable Parental Controls on Android
How to
Disable Parental Controls on Android
Fix Insufficient Storage Available Error in Android6 Ways to Fix "Insufficient Storage Available" on an Android
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ https://www.howtogeek.com/276635/how-to-add-custom-text-shortcuts-to-android/

About This Article

Travis Boylls
Written by:
Travis Boylls
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College. This article has been viewed 148,716 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 3
Updated: August 10, 2022
Views: 148,716
Categories: Android
Article SummaryX

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Language & Input.
3. Select Keyboard or Samsung Keyboard.
4. Tap Text Shortcuts.
5. Tap Add.
6. Type in your shortcut text and expanded text.
7. Tap Add again.

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement