Maximize Your Typing: A Comprehensive Guide to Enlarging the Huawei Keyboard

For many Huawei smartphone and tablet users, the default keyboard size can feel a bit cramped, especially for those with larger fingers or who prefer a more spacious layout. A smaller keyboard can lead to typos, slower typing speeds, and an overall frustrating experience. Fortunately, Huawei offers several ways to customize and enlarge your keyboard, allowing you to optimize your device for a more comfortable and efficient typing experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the available methods, providing step-by-step instructions and helpful tips along the way.

Why Enlarge Your Huawei Keyboard?

Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s understand the ‘why.’ There are several reasons why enlarging your Huawei keyboard can significantly improve your user experience:

• Reduced Typos: A larger keyboard provides more spacing between keys, making it less likely to accidentally hit the wrong letter.
• Increased Typing Speed: More spacious keys make it easier to locate and press the correct letters quickly, boosting your overall typing speed.
• Improved Comfort: For users with larger hands or impaired vision, a larger keyboard is simply more comfortable to use.
• Enhanced Accessibility: Enlarging the keyboard can be a crucial accessibility feature for individuals with visual or motor impairments.
• Personalization: Customizing your keyboard size allows you to tailor your device to your individual preferences and needs.

Methods for Enlarging Your Huawei Keyboard

Huawei devices offer multiple methods to enlarge the keyboard, ranging from built-in settings to using third-party apps. We’ll explore each method in detail:

Method 1: Adjusting Keyboard Height via Huawei Settings

The most straightforward way to enlarge your Huawei keyboard is by adjusting its height using the built-in settings. This method offers a quick and easy way to increase the keyboard’s vertical size, making keys taller and more accessible. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings App: Locate and tap the ‘Settings’ app icon on your home screen or app drawer. The icon typically resembles a gear or cogwheel.
2. Navigate to System & Updates: Scroll down the settings menu until you find an option named ‘System & Updates’ or similar. Tap on this option to proceed. Note: Depending on your Huawei device and EMUI version, this option might be slightly differently worded, such as ‘System.’
3. Access Language & Input: Inside the ‘System & Updates’ menu, look for and tap on ‘Language & Input.’ This option manages keyboard settings and input methods.
4. Select Keyboard Options: Under ‘Language & Input,’ you’ll see a list of available keyboard options. Look for ‘SwiftKey Keyboard’ or ‘Gboard,’ depending on the keyboard you’re currently using. Tap on the keyboard you wish to adjust. If you are using Huawei’s built-in keyboard, which is likely named Huawei Keyboard, that will appear as your primary option. Tap on the name of your keyboard.
5. Adjust Keyboard Height (Huawei Keyboard):
   • If you have selected Huawei keyboard, look for a setting that mentions ‘Keyboard Height’ or ‘Height.’ It could be under the ‘More Settings’ or ‘Appearance’ sections.
   • Tap on ‘Keyboard Height’ or equivalent. You’ll be presented with a slider or a selection of pre-defined height options.
   • Move the slider or select your desired height. Preview the keyboard on the screen. Start with the highest possible option.
   • If there is no slider but pre-set height options, select the largest height option available.
   • Once satisfied with the height adjustment, navigate back to the previous menu, the new height should save automatically.
6. Adjust Keyboard Height (SwiftKey or Gboard):
   • If you’re using SwiftKey, the settings interface may vary slightly. In the SwiftKey menu, look for ‘Layout & keys’ or a similar option.
   • Within this section, look for a setting labeled ‘Keyboard height’ or ‘Resize’ and adjust the slider or predefined options.
   • Gboard’s layout and height options can also be found within its settings menu. Look for a settings option usually named ‘Preferences’. There might also be a ‘Theme’ option, within which you might find the height option. Adjust the slider or the predefined options to increase the keyboard size.
   • Once you are satisfied with the new keyboard height, simply leave the settings menu, and the changes should save automatically.
7. Test the New Size: Open a text-based app, such as messaging or note-taking, and test out the newly resized keyboard. Make further adjustments if needed, by navigating back to the keyboard settings.

This method provides a straightforward way to increase keyboard height for comfortable typing. It’s a good starting point for those looking for a quick fix. The availability and specific name of options might differ slightly based on your device’s EMUI version.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Keyboard Apps

If the built-in height adjustment isn’t sufficient, or if you want more granular control over your keyboard’s appearance and functionality, consider using third-party keyboard apps. Popular options like SwiftKey and Gboard offer extensive customization options, including the ability to resize the keyboard beyond the limitations of the default Huawei keyboard. Here’s how to install and configure a third-party keyboard:

1. Download a Third-Party Keyboard: Open the Google Play Store app on your Huawei device.
2. Search for a Keyboard App: In the search bar, type in ‘SwiftKey,’ ‘Gboard,’ or any other keyboard app that appeals to you.
3. Install the Keyboard App: Tap on the ‘Install’ button next to your chosen keyboard app. Allow the necessary permissions for the app to download and install on your device.
4. Open the Keyboard App: Once installed, open the keyboard app from your app drawer. The app will typically guide you through the initial setup process.
5. Set the App as Default Keyboard: During the setup, the app will ask you to enable it as your default keyboard. If the setup process does not take you to the needed location automatically, go to Settings > System & Updates > Language & Input. Tap on ‘Default Keyboard’ and select your chosen third party keyboard app. If you see a security alert, select ‘OK’ or ‘Accept.’ Your device is trying to warn you about the use of personal data with a third-party app.
6. Access Keyboard Settings: Open the third-party keyboard’s app settings. This can usually be done either directly from the app icon in your app drawer or through the ‘Language & Input’ settings.
7. Adjust Keyboard Size: Navigate through the app settings to locate ‘Layout & Keys,’ ‘Theme,’ or similar options. Look for a setting labeled ‘Keyboard Height’ or ‘Resize’. Adjust the slider or select from pre-defined height options to increase keyboard size.
8. Customize Further (Optional): Third-party keyboard apps often provide a range of other options, such as themes, key layouts, autocorrect settings, and even the option to add a number row for faster access. Take advantage of these options to further customize your typing experience.
9. Test the New Keyboard: Open a text-based app and test the new keyboard size. Make adjustments if necessary, by accessing the keyboard’s settings.

Third-party keyboard apps offer a great level of flexibility and customization, allowing for much larger keyboard sizes than the default options. Explore different apps to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

Method 3: Utilizing Accessibility Features

Huawei devices also provide accessibility options that can indirectly help enlarge the keyboard. While these options don’t directly control keyboard size, they can make the keyboard more visible and easier to use for some users, especially for those with visual impairments. These features are often located under the ‘Accessibility’ section in settings. Here’s how you can utilize them:

1. Open the Settings App: Tap the ‘Settings’ icon on your home screen or app drawer.
2. Access Accessibility Settings: Scroll down and find ‘Accessibility’ in the settings menu. Tap on it. Note, depending on your EMUI version this might be under ‘Smart Assistance’ or ‘System’ instead.
3. Explore Accessibility Options: Within the ‘Accessibility’ menu, you will find options related to vision, hearing, and interaction. Explore the settings for options that can benefit you, especially those that might help the visibility of the keyboard.
4. Adjust Font Size: Locate the ‘Font Size’ or ‘Text Size’ option. Increasing the font size will make text, including the characters on your keyboard, appear larger and more visible. Tap on ‘Font Size’ and use the slider to adjust.
5. Adjust Display Size: If available, also look for the ‘Display size’ option. Adjusting this will enlarge all screen elements, including the keyboard. You will notice a change even if the font size option was not available in the ‘Accessibility’ menu.
6. Use High Contrast Text: Look for options related to ‘High Contrast’ or ‘Color Inversion.’ Enabling these settings will increase the contrast of text and make it stand out more, including keyboard keys, especially for users with vision difficulties.
7. Explore Color Correction: In some versions of EMUI you might also find color correction options. These can help users with specific color perception difficulties.
8. Use Magnification: Accessibility features may also offer ‘Magnification.’ This allows you to zoom in on any part of the screen, including the keyboard, for better visibility. However, this is a temporary solution. You must turn it on every time you need it, and might need more steps to get to the desired part of the screen.
9. Test the Accessibility Enhancements: Test the effect of the accessibility options you’ve activated by opening a text-based app. See if the changes make the keyboard easier to use. If not, experiment with different combinations of accessibility features.

While these settings do not directly resize the keyboard, these accessibility enhancements, when used in combination with the other methods, can offer a more comfortable and easier to see typing experience for some users.

Method 4: Using Keyboard Themes with Larger Key Sizes

Some keyboard apps and themes offer visual layouts with larger keys and clearer icons. While these don’t technically increase the keyboard’s overall height, the larger key visuals can make it seem larger and easier to press accurately. Here’s how to take advantage of such themes:

1. Choose a Keyboard App with Theme Options: Install a third-party keyboard app (like SwiftKey or Gboard) that offers extensive customization options, including themes.
2. Access Theme Settings: Open the keyboard app’s settings. Navigate to the ‘Theme’ or ‘Appearance’ section.
3. Browse Available Themes: Explore the available themes. Some themes feature visually larger keys or high-contrast layouts.
4. Apply a Suitable Theme: Select and apply the theme with the visually larger keys that you find most suitable.
5. Test the New Theme: Open a text-based app and test the new theme. Notice how the larger key visuals impact your typing experience.
6. Experiment with Different Themes: Try out different themes to find the one that provides the best combination of visibility and key size for your needs. Some themes even offer options to customize the key size individually.

By leveraging a custom keyboard theme, you can create the visual illusion of a larger keyboard even if you can’t physically increase its size.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, enlarging the keyboard might present certain challenges. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

• Keyboard Resets to Default Size: If the keyboard reverts back to its default size, ensure that your chosen keyboard app has the necessary permissions and is set as the default keyboard. Also, make sure you are not accidentally using a different keyboard from the one you modified.
• Keyboard Covers Part of the Screen: If the enlarged keyboard covers too much of your screen, try adjusting the keyboard’s height and using a smaller size. You can also adjust font and display size to accommodate the larger keyboard.
• Keyboard Lag or Unresponsiveness: If you experience keyboard lag or unresponsiveness, try clearing the cache of the keyboard app and check for updates. If problems persist, try switching to a different third party keyboard. A device reboot might also resolve performance issues.
• Accessibility Features Make the Screen Unusable: If changes from the accessibility settings make the screen difficult to use, you can always revert to the default settings by navigating back to the accessibility menu and switching them off. Remember, you can always customize and fine tune the settings to fit your needs.

Conclusion

Enlarging your Huawei keyboard is a relatively straightforward process that can significantly improve your typing experience. Whether you prefer using the built-in settings, a third-party keyboard app, or accessibility features, there are multiple options available to tailor your keyboard size and appearance to your specific needs. Experiment with different methods and settings to find the perfect configuration for optimal typing efficiency and comfort. By exploring all available options, you can ensure that your Huawei device is a tool that enhances your productivity rather than hindering it.