Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable or Disable Character Preview in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

By default, Samsung Galaxy S5 uses the stock qwerty keyboard that has similar layout with those in laptop or PC. Since qwerty keyboard will place a single character(letter, number, symbol) in a single keyboard key then you may find that this keyboard has smaller keyboard keys. For some users, those small keys sometimes make them hard to make sure that they have tapped the right key because it may be covered with their fingers. Luckily, there's an option in the Samsung keyboard called character preview which will help you to verify that you're typing correctly because if it's enabled the device will show a big character bubble when a key on a qwerty keyboard is tapped.


How to turn on or off character preview in the Samsung keyboard?
Generally, there are two methods available that can be used to enable or disable character preview in the Samsung keyboard: from the settings menu and when you're typing.

Method #1: From the settings menu

1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap Language and input .
3. If necessary, tap Default and then select Samsung keyboard.
4. Tap next to Samsung keyboard to view more detailed settings.
5. Scroll the screen to the very bottom.
6. Depending on your current settings, tap Character preview to enable or disable this option. When the checkbox next to this option is checked means the character preview is enabled.

Method #2: When you're typing
This method can be applied when you're in any app or screen where you can enter texts. As the example, we'll enable or disable character preview when composing a new text message in Messaging app:

1. Open Messaging app and then tap to create a new text message.
2. If necessary, tap the Enter message field to view the keyboard.
3. See the key located in the left side of the space bar.
• If the key already displays the keyboard settings icon , then tap the key to view the Samsung keyboard settings.
• If the key does not display the keyboard settings icon, long tap the key until a pop up window appears and then select to view the Samsung keyboard settings.
4. Scroll the screen to the very bottom.
5. Depending on your current settings, tap Character preview to enable or disable this option. When the checkbox next to this option is checked means the character preview is enabled.

As a note, character preview is optimized to be used in qwerty keyboard so that if you're using other keyboard layout then this feature won't work.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Switch Between Installed Keyboard Apps in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If you are not satisfied with the stock keyboard or can't find a keyboard feature that you're looking for, you will probably install a third-party keyboard app from the Play Store or other sources. Luckily, you are allowed to have more than one keyboard apps in your Samsung Galaxy S5 and can switch between them with ease by changing the input mode so that you can use the required one according to your need.


How to change input method?
Generally, there are two methods available, either from the settings menu or when you're entering texts, that can be used to change the input method so that you can switch between installed keyboard apps in your phone.

Method #1: From the settings menu

1. On any screen, swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap Language and input .
3. Tap Default and then select the required keyboard you want to use.
4. The selected keyboard will be applied and ready to be used to enter texts.

Method #2: When entering texts
FYI, this method can be applied in any app or screen where you can use keyboard to enter texts. As the example, we'll change the input method when composing a new text message in Messaging app:

1. Open Messaging app and then tap to create a new text message.
2. If necessary, tap the Enter message field to display the keyboard.
3. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap Choose input method in the Notifications section.
4. Now, select the required keyboard you want to use.
5. The selected keyboard will be applied and ready to be used to enter texts.

When you have multiple keyboard apps, the ability to change the input method will let you to use the one that best suit your need with ease. So, how about you? How many keyboard apps do you have?

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Use Cursor Control in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

If you often use keyboard in laptop or PC to write down something, you may have used the arrow keys when you wanted to navigate around the texts you're writing. The arrows keys typically consist of 4 keys: the left arrow (back arrow), the up arrow, the down arrow, and the right arrow (forward arrow). Each of the arrow key can be used to move the text cursor to the specified direction. In the stock keyboard in Samsung Galaxy S5, you can find a feature named cursor control that has the similar function with the arrow keys. When cursor control is enabled, you can control the text cursor simply by sliding your finger to the desired direction across the keyboard so that you can navigate around the texts you're writing without having to take away your finger from the keyboard.

How to enable the cursor control feature in the Samsung keyboard?
You can do so by using the following steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then select Language and input .
3. If necessary, tap Default and then select Samsung keyboard.
4. Tap next to Samsung keyboard to view more detailed settings.
5. Scroll the screen to the very bottom.
6. Tap Keyboard swipe and then select Cursor control to enable it.

How to use the cursor control feature?
If you have enabled cursor control in the Samsung keyboard settings, now you can use it to control the text cursor movement when entering texts in an app or screen where you can enter texts. As the example, we'll use cursor control when composing a new text message in Messaging app:

1. Open Messaging app and then tap to create a new text message.
2. Tap the Enter message field to display the keyboard.
3. Now, write down your message.
4. Controlling the text cursor:
• To move the text cursor to the top, slide your finger upwards across the keyboard. It'll do the similar function as the up arrow key.
• To move the text cursor to the bottom, slide your finger downwards across the keyboard. It'll do the similar function as the down arrow key.
• To move the text cursor to the right, slide your finger to the right across the keyboard. It'll do the similar function as the forward arrow key.
• To move the text cursor to the left, slide your finger to the left across the keyboard. It'll do the similar function as the back arrow key.

Given the function, this feature will be able to provide you an alternative way to control or navigate the text cursor with the similar way as you used to do when using keyboard in laptop or PC. So, how about you? Which method do you like best to control the text cursor, tapping a part of the texts on the screen or sliding your finger across the keyboard?

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Use Flick Input in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

By default, if you want to enter a symbol or alternative character in a particular key on the keyboard, you have to tap and hold that key until a pop-up window appears above the keyboard showing available symbols or alternative characters, then, without lifting your finger, drag your finger to the required character and then release your finger to insert it. Well, if you often use symbols or alternative characters while typing, there's an option in Samsung keyboard called flick input that will be able to provide you an alternative way to enter symbols or alternative characters with more easily and quickly. With this feature, you can display available symbols and alternative characters in a particular key on the keyboard simply by sliding your finger upwards on a key, lets you select the required symbol or alternative character with more conveniently.

How to enable the flick input feature in the Samsung keyboard?
You can do so by using the following steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap Language and input .
3. If necessary, tap Default and then select Samsung keyboard.
4. Tap next to Samsung keyboard to view more detailed settings.
5. Scroll the screen to the very bottom.
6. Tap Keyboard swipe and then select Flick input to enable it.

How to use flick input to enter symbols or alternative characters?
If you have enabled flick input in the Samsung keyboard, now you can use it to easily and quickly enter symbols or alternative characters while you're on an app or screen where you can enter text. As the example, we'll try using flick input when composing a new text message in Messaging app:

1. Open Messaging app and then tap to create a new text message.
2. Tap the Enter message field to display the keyboard.
3. Enter an alternative character:
• Flick up your finger on the letter key "A" (or other letter keys) to view available alternative characters.
• Tap the required alternative character to enter it into your message.
4. Enter a symbol:
• Flick up your finger on the key located in the right side of the space bar to view the most frequently used symbols/punctuations.
• Tap the required symbol or punctuation to enter it into your message.

As a note, if you flick up your finger on a particular key that doesn't have any symbol or alternative character, then the selected key will be inserted automatically, for instance when you flick up your finger on the letter key "M" that doesn't have any alternative character then it'll automatically insert "M".

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable or Disable Key Tap Vibration in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Key tap vibration is an option available in the stock keyboard in Samsung Galaxy S5. If this feature is enabled, your phone will vibrate when any key on the keyboard is tapped. However, since this option won't change the way you use the keyboard, then you're free to enable or disable this option according to your liking. If you like the phone vibrates when you tap any key on the keyboard then you can turn this feature on, while if you don't you can turn this feature off.


How to turn on or off key tap vibration in the Samsung keyboard?
Generally, there are two methods available that can be used to enable or disable key tap vibration: from the Samsung keyboard settings and from the sound settings.

Method #1: From the Samsung keyboard settings

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap Language and input .
3. If necessary, tap Default and then select Samsung keyboard.
4. Tap next to Samsung keyboard to view more detailed settings.
5. Scroll the screen to the very bottom.
6. Depending on your current settings, tap Vibration to enable or disable key tap vibration. When the checkbox next to this option is ticked means the key tap vibration is enabled and the phone will vibrate when you tap any key on the keyboard.

Method #2: From the sound settings

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then tap Sound .
3. If necessary, you can adjust the vibration intensity by tapping Vibration intensity and then slide the bar next to Haptic feedback to the left to reduce the vibration intensity or to the right to increase the vibration intensity. Once done, tap OK button.
4. Now, scroll the screen to the very bottom.
5. Depending on your current settings, tap Vibrate when tapped to enable or disable key tap vibration. When the checkbox next to this option is ticked means the key tap vibration is enabled and the phone will vibrate when you tap any key on the keyboard.

As a note, the key tap vibration feature can't work along with the power saving mode since this feature will automatically disable the vibration feedback. When you enable power saving mode, the key tap vibration option in your phone will be disabled or grayed out therefore if you want the key tap vibration feature remains on then make sure the power saving mode is off.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable or Disable Key Tap Sound in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Aside from having several features to help you to type better, the stock keyboard in Samsung Galaxy S5 also has some features that are designed to help you personalize your keyboard, one of which is key tap sound. If this feature is enabled, a tap sound will be played when any key on the keyboard is tapped. However, this feature may be great for some but annoying for others thus if you like the phone plays a sound whenever you tap the keys on the keyboard then you can enable it while if you don't you can disable it.


How to turn on or off key tap sound in the Samsung keyboard?
Generally, there are two methods available that can be done to enable or disable key tap sound, from the Samsung keyboard settings or from the sound settings.

Method #1: From the Samsung keyboard settings

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap Language and input .
3. If necessary, tap Default and then select Samsung keyboard.
4. Tap next to Samsung keyboard to view more detailed settings.
5. Scroll the screen to the very bottom.
6. Depending on your current settings, tap Sound to enable or disable key tap sound. When the checkbox next to this option is ticked means the key tap sound is enabled and the phone will play a sound when you tap any key on the keyboard.

Method #2: From the sound settings

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Sound and display section and then Sound .
3. Scroll the screen to the very bottom.
4. Depending on your current settings, tap Sound when tapped to enable or disable key tap sound. When the checkbox next to this option is ticked means the key tap sound is enabled and the phone will play a sound when you tap any key on the keyboard.

As a note, to make the key tap sound feature works make sure you don't put your phone into vibration or silent modes.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Use Continuous Input in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Predictive text is an auto correct feature in the stock keyboard in Samsung Galaxy S5 that is designed to help you to type better since it'll provide you with some suggestion words so that you can correct or complete a misspelled or incomplete word you're typing by selecting the required suggestion word. When predictive text is enabled, there will be another option available for you called continuous input, which if you enable it, you will be able to enter text by swiping your finger across the keyboard so that you can enter text faster since you don't need to tap letter by letter to write a word.

How to enable continuous input?
Assuming that the predictive text has been enabled, then you can enable continuous input by using the following steps:

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notification panel and then tap to go to the settings menu.
2. With the settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the System section and then tap Language and input .
3. If necessary, tap Default and then select Samsung keyboard.
4. Tap next to Samsung keyboard to view more detailed settings.
5. If necessary, you can enable Auto capitalise by checking the box in the right side of this option. When this option is enabled, the first letter of a sentence will be capitalized automatically without you have to enable the caps lock key first.
6. If necessary, you can enable Auto spacing by checking the box in the right side of this option. When this option is enabled, a space will be inserted automatically after you have finished typing a word.
7. If necessary, you can enable Auto punctuate by checking the box in the right side of this option. When this option is enabled, a full stop will be inserted automatically when you tap the space bar twice.
8. Now, scroll down the screen and you can enable continuous input by tapping Keyboard swipe and then select Continuous input.

How to use continuous input to enter texts?
Before using continuous input to enter texts, make sure to use qwerty keyboard since the continuous input is optimized to be used in this keyboard type. Well, after you have enabled continuous input in your keyboard, now you can use it to type faster in any app or screen where you can enter texts. As the example, we'll use continuous input to write a new text message in Messaging app:

1. Open Messaging app.
2. Tap to create a new text message.
3. Tap the Enter message field to display the keyboard.
4. Enter the required word by sliding your finger across the required letter key on the keyboard, for instance when you want to enter text "home" then you have to slide your finger across the letter "h" to "o" to "m" to "e" continuously without lifting your finger. FYI, if you have enabled auto spacing, when you lift your finger then it'll automatically insert a space after the word, lets you insert the next word without having to insert the space manually.

As a note, since continuous input is only available when you have enabled predictive text, then disable the predictive text will automatically disable continuous input as well.