Android text shortcuts don’t replace what you type on their own. Type the shortcut, then tap the full phrase in the bar above the keyboard. If nothing appears, turn on Predictive text in Samsung Keyboard settings (or the suggestion strip in Gboard), and check that the keyboard you saved the shortcut in is the one you are using.
Published by LazyBoard, with AI-assisted drafting. Samsung steps checked against Samsung’s support guide on October 31, 2026. Menu names differ between phone models, Android versions, and keyboard versions; if a path doesn’t match, search your phone’s Settings for the item named in bold.
Samsung Keyboard calls them Text shortcuts; Gboard keeps them in its Personal dictionary. Both work the same way: you type a short code, the full phrase appears in the bar above the keys, and you tap it. Most problems come from the wrong keyboard being active or suggestions being switched off.
1. Check which keyboard you are using
Shortcuts belong to the keyboard you saved them in. Samsung text shortcuts only appear in Samsung Keyboard, and Gboard shortcuts only in Gboard. If you switched keyboards, your shortcuts stayed behind in the old one.
Open Settings and search for Default keyboard. Choose the keyboard that holds your shortcuts, or add the shortcuts again in the keyboard you now use.
2. Turn on predictive text
Samsung Keyboard shows text shortcuts in the predictive text bar, so Predictive text has to be on:
- Tap the Settings icon on the keyboard toolbar, then tap Predictive text and turn it on.
- Or go to Settings > General management > Samsung Keyboard settings > Predictive text.
In Gboard, open Gboard settings, tap Text correction, and make sure Show suggestion strip is on.
3. Tap the suggestion
Samsung’s guide is clear on this: when you type your shortcut, the expanded phrase appears in the predictive text bar, and you tap it to insert it. Gboard works the same way. After you type the shortcut, look at the bar above the keys rather than the text box.
4. Check how the shortcut was saved
On a Samsung phone, go to Settings > General management > Samsung Keyboard settings > Text shortcuts. Tap +, enter the Shortcut and the Expanded phrase, and tap Add. On older phones the option is under Settings > Language and input > On-screen keyboard > Samsung Keyboard > Smart typing.
In Gboard, open Gboard settings, tap Dictionary > Personal dictionary, choose a language, tap +, type the full phrase, then type the shortcut in the shortcut field.
- Type the shortcut exactly. A different spelling or an extra space stops it matching.
- Avoid real words. A code you never type otherwise, such as
myadfor your address, is easier to trigger on purpose. - Re-add it. If one shortcut still won’t appear, delete it and add it again.
5. Match the language in Gboard
Gboard saves each personal dictionary entry under a language. If you type in another language, or your keyboard has switched languages, the shortcut isn’t suggested. Add it again under the language you type in, or under All languages if your version of Gboard offers that option.
6. Know where suggestions are hidden
Keyboards hide suggestions in some places, such as password fields, and some apps turn suggestions off for their text boxes. Because shortcuts appear in the suggestion bar, they can’t appear there either. Try the same shortcut in a messaging or notes app: if it works there, the problem is the app, not the shortcut.
A phrase keyboard for longer replies
Keyboard shortcuts work best for single words and short phrases. If you reuse whole replies, addresses, or signatures, a phrase keyboard can be easier: the LazyBoard keyboard for Android keeps your phrases in folders, and you insert one with a tap instead of remembering a code. Switch to it when you need a saved reply, then switch back to your usual keyboard. See how to use LazyBoard on Android.
Common questions
Why is Text shortcuts greyed out on my Samsung phone?
Usually because Predictive text is off. Text shortcuts appear in the predictive text bar, so the option depends on it. Turn on Predictive text in Samsung Keyboard settings, then open Text shortcuts again.
Do Samsung text shortcuts expand automatically?
Samsung’s guide describes tapping the expanded phrase in the predictive text bar to insert it. Type the shortcut, then look for the full phrase above the keyboard and tap it.
Do my Samsung shortcuts work in Gboard?
No. Each keyboard keeps its own list. If you switch from Samsung Keyboard to Gboard, add your shortcuts again in Gboard’s personal dictionary.
Where are text shortcuts in Gboard?
In Gboard settings, under Dictionary > Personal dictionary. Choose a language, tap +, and enter the phrase and its shortcut.