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Nexus

Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android

Sep 21, 2014 04:27 PM
Keyboard layout comparisons at 100% and 75% zoom levels.

Google Keyboard, which comes pre-installed on Nexus devices (and is available for all others from the Play Store), is one of the most functional keyboards currently available for Android. With features like gesture-based typing, next-word prediction, and even text expansion macros, it's a very capable form of text input.

The only category that the Google Keyboard can be said to be lacking in is form, not functionality. While some custom themes are available, there aren't really any other way of customizing the style of the keyboard, so Android users have to look to third-party developers if they want to spruce up the defaults.

This is where developer Amit Bagaria and his Xposed moduleXCoolDroid come into play. With a simple-to-use interface, this module allows you to resize the Google Keyboard and even the spacing of the keys, all without sacrificing any functionality.

Requirements

Install XCoolDroid

From your Xposed Installer app, head to the Download section and search XCoolDroid, then tap the top result.

Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android

XCoolDroid is still in its beta phase, so you'll have to change one option here to download it. To do this, swipe over to the Settings tab and tap Versions to be shown, then select Beta.

Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Settings menu with options for version display preferences.
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Settings menu with options for version display preferences.

Next, swipe back over to the Versions tab and tap the Download button next to the most recent entry. Alternatively, you can grab the latest APK directly from the Xposed Repository online.

Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Version 1.0 download screen with update details.
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Version 1.0 download screen with update details.

Android's installer interface should come up after a few seconds, so tap Install on the next screen.

App installation prompt on a mobile device with options to cancel or install.
App installation confirmation screen for XCoolBrands.
App installation prompt on a mobile device with options to cancel or install.
App installation confirmation screen for XCoolBrands.

When that's finished, you'll get a notification from Xposed telling you that the module isn't activated yet and that a reboot is in order. Just tap the Activate and reboot button here, and Xposed will take care of the rest automatically.

Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android

Adjust the Keyboard's Height & Spacing

When your phone finishes booting back up, go ahead and open XCoolDroid from your app drawer. The XExternalSD option allows apps to save data on an external SD card in KitKat, which is a nice bonus. But the main feature here is under the Google Keyboard entry. Tap that menu item to explore the options.

Settings menu for application storage location and keyboard options.
Settings menu for keyboard and app storage options on a mobile device.
Settings menu for application storage location and keyboard options.
Settings menu for keyboard and app storage options on a mobile device.

From here, use the Keyboard Height slider to adjust the overall height of the Google Keyboard. Then, use the Vertical Gap slider to change the spacing between the individual keys. The developer's default settings of 75% height and 50% spacing are great starting points.

Google Keyboard settings interface showing options for keyboard height, vertical gap, and input changes.
Google Keyboard settings interface with adjustable sliders for keyboard height and vertical key gap.
Google Keyboard settings interface showing options for keyboard height, vertical gap, and input changes.
Google Keyboard settings interface with adjustable sliders for keyboard height and vertical key gap.

Apply Your Settings

When you're ready to try out your keyboard tweaks, tap the Force Stop Google Keyboard button. At this point, XCoolDroid will ask for root access, so tap Grant on the popup.

Google Keyboard settings interface showing options for keyboard height and vertical gap adjustments.
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android
Google Keyboard settings interface showing options for keyboard height and vertical gap adjustments.
Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android

Now, just tap any text field to view your changes. As I mentioned earlier, the keyboard retains all of its existing functionality even after you've slimmed it down, so gesture typing still works flawlessly.

Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android

Regular keyboard height

Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android

75% keyboard height

Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android

Regular keyboard height

Resize the Google Keyboard on Any Android

75% keyboard height

What percentages did you use to customize your Google Keyboard's dimensions? Let us know in the comments section below, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

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