Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Customize Samsung Keyboard Settings in Android 4.4 Kitkat

Samsung Galaxy SIV has come with the stock virtual keyboard that can be used by users when they want to enter texts or write a message or email. This keyboard allows you to enter texts, numbers, symbols, etc. To get a better performance and help you typing better, you can customize available options in the Samsung keyboard settings according to your need.

How to customize Samsung keyboard settings?
By default, the Samsung keyboard is displayed in QWERTY. To go to the Samsung keyboard settings, there are two methods available:
Method #1: From a screen or app where you can enter text
As the example, in these steps, I go to the Samsung keyboard settings menu when I'm composing a new text message in the Messaging app:

1. On the on-screen keyboard, tap and hold the key in the left side of the space bar.
2. On pop up menu select Settings icon to enter the settings menu. 

Method #2: From the Settings menu

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Scroll down to find Language and input, then tap it.
4. Tap the Settings icon next to Samsung keyboard to enter the settings menu.

When you're in the Samsung keyboard settings menu, you can see that options are divided in five sections. They are:
I. Input languages section
In this section you can change the keyboard type and input language.

1. Tap English(UK) option(the option name depends on the language you are using in the input language), then select from the following options:
• Qwerty keyboard: select this option if you want to use QWERTY keyboard.
• 3x4 keyboard: select this option if you want to use 3x4 keyboard. This keyboard type is best used for those of users who want to use a keyboard as in the old phones or those of users who have difficulty to type using QWERTY keyboard.
2. Tap Select input languages, and then select the desired language from the available language list. But, it'll be better if you select the same language as you usually use to write a message or email.

II. Smart typing section
In this section you can enable options which will help you to type better.

1. Predictive text: tap the ON/OFF switch to enable or disable this option. If this option is enabled, suggested words will be displayed at the top of the keyboard when you type a word.
2. Auto replacement(this option is available when the Predictive text is enabled): tap the ON/OFF switch to enable or disable this option. If this option is enabled, your phone will automatically complete or replace the word you're typing with the most probable word when you tap the space bar or a punctuation mark. It works well if you type the word using the same language as you've set in the input language.
3. Auto capitalisation: tap this option to enable or disable Auto capitalisation feature. When this option is enabled, the phone will automatically capitalise first letter of sentence.
4. Auto spacing: tap this option to enable or disable Auto spacing feature. When this option is enabled, the phone will automatically insert space between words when you tap the enter key or a punctuation mark.
5. Auto-punctuate: tap this option to enable or disable Auto punctuate feature. When this option is enabled, the phone will automatically insert a full stop by "." by double tapping the space bar.

III. Keyboard swipe section
In this section, you can choose one of these following options:

1. None: select this option if you don't want to use the keyboard swipe function.
2. Continuous input: select this option if you want to enter text by sliding finger across keyboard. This features is optimised for QWERTY keyboard.
3. Cursor control: select this option if you want to be able to move cursor by sliding finger across keyboard.

IV. Key-tap feedback section
In this section you can enable or disable sound, vibration and character preview.

1. Tap Sound to enable or disable this option. when this option is enabled, the phone plays sound whenever you tap the keyboard key.
2. Tap Vibration to enable or disable this option. when this option is enabled, the phone vibrates whenever you tap the keyboard key.
3. Tap Character preview to enable or disable this option. When this option is enabled, a big character bubble will be shown when a key on a QWERTY keyboard is tapped.

V. More settings section

1. Tap Help to learn more about the Samsung keyboard.
2. Tap Reset to revert back the keyboard settings(except Personalised data and Downloaded languages) to default.

Based on my experience, the stock Samsung keyboard is quite satisfying and works well. It gives me some options I really like especially those in the smart typing section. So, how about you? If you're using the Samsung keyboard, which option do you like?