How to get Gboard to translate text as you type on an iPhone

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You’ve been able to easily translate different languages using Google Translate on the web for years now. It’s great and helps when you order things from overseas or have family members that speak another language.

The thing is, it’s hard to use on mobile and it doesn’t have to be that way. You can install Gboard to use as your phone’s keyboard app, and it now has Google Translate built-in so you don’t have to switch between apps.

That means you can do easy translation inside whatever messaging apps you already use. Sweet. Here’s what you need to know to set it up.

You’ll first need to install Gboard – here’s how to do that:

1. Open up the App Store and download Gboard

That gets you the ability to open Gboard from any app that lets you do text input, so go open your favorite messaging app for the next steps. We’re using iMessage because we’re basic like that.

Once that’s set up, it’s simple to translate all your texts:

1. Open your messaging app, and tap on the Globe icon at the bottom left corner

You can also do the same thing in reverse, by leaving the translate from setting on Detect language and selecting your native language on the right. Then just copy and paste into the same translation field and hit Translate. Nice.

What do you think? Is this something you could see yourself using? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.