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How to Make Your Samsung Keyboard Black: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re tired of the default white or light-colored Samsung keyboard and yearn for the sleek, power-saving elegance of a black keyboard? You’ve come to the right place. Switching to a black keyboard on your Samsung device isn’t just about aesthetics; it can improve readability in low-light conditions, potentially conserve battery life on AMOLED screens, and simply offer a more personalized and comfortable typing experience.

Here’s the direct answer: You can make your Samsung keyboard black by enabling Dark Mode on your phone, using a high-contrast keyboard theme, or customizing the Samsung keyboard’s theme settings. Let’s break each of these down and then dive into a wealth of additional tips and tricks.

Utilizing Dark Mode

This is the easiest and often the most effective method. Enabling Dark Mode at the system level often automatically extends to the Samsung keyboard.

Activating System-Wide Dark Mode

Go to your phone’s Settings app.
Tap on Display.
Look for Dark Mode or Night Mode (the terminology can vary slightly depending on your Android version and One UI version).
Toggle the switch to On.

This should, in most cases, immediately transform your Samsung keyboard to a dark theme. The exact appearance might vary depending on your specific phone model and Android version, but it will generally be a dark gray or black.

Choosing a High Contrast Keyboard

Samsung provides accessibility options that directly influence the keyboard’s appearance. This method is incredibly useful if you want a bold, easily visible keyboard, especially for those with visual impairments.

Enabling High Contrast Keyboard

Go to your phone’s Settings app.
Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.
Select Visibility enhancements.
Tap on High contrast keyboard.
Choose from the available themes. These themes often include black options with bright, contrasting letters, which are extremely helpful for readability.

Customizing the Samsung Keyboard Theme

If Dark Mode and High Contrast Keyboard options don’t give you the precise look you’re after, diving into the Samsung Keyboard’s settings offers the greatest level of customization.

Accessing Keyboard Themes

Open the Settings app.
Search for and tap on Language and input. You can usually just type “keyboard” into the search bar to find it quickly.
Select On-screen keyboard or Virtual keyboard.
Tap on Samsung Keyboard.
Look for an option called Theme. The exact wording might vary, but it should be something similar.
Here you’ll likely see several pre-set themes. Look for a dark or black theme option.
If available, check the Galaxy Themes Store for more black keyboard skins.

Fine-Tuning Theme Settings

Within the theme options, you might also find settings to adjust:

Contrast: Increase or decrease the contrast between the keys and the background.
Transparency: Adjust the transparency of the keyboard, allowing you to subtly see what’s behind it.
Key Colors: Some themes allow you to customize the color of individual keys or key backgrounds. Experiment to achieve your desired look.

FAQs: All About Your Samsung Keyboard

Here are 12 frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of how to customize your Samsung keyboard:

1. Will using a black keyboard save battery on my Samsung phone?

Potentially, yes. Samsung phones often use AMOLED screens, where black pixels are essentially turned off, consuming less power. Therefore, a predominantly black keyboard theme can contribute to battery savings, especially if you spend a significant amount of time typing. The savings may be modest but can add up over time.

2. I’ve enabled Dark Mode, but my keyboard is still white. What’s wrong?

While Dark Mode usually extends to the Samsung keyboard, some apps might override the system setting. Also, older versions of Android or One UI may not fully support Dark Mode integration with the keyboard. Check if the individual app you’re using has its own theme settings that are overriding the system Dark Mode. Also, ensure your Samsung Keyboard app is updated to the latest version via the Galaxy Store.

3. Can I use a third-party keyboard app with a black theme on my Samsung phone?

Absolutely! Many excellent third-party keyboard apps, like Gboard, SwiftKey, and Grammarly Keyboard, offer extensive customization options, including black themes. Simply download and install the app from the Google Play Store, set it as your default keyboard in Settings > Language and Input > On-screen Keyboard, and then explore its theme settings.

4. How do I switch back to the default white Samsung keyboard if I don’t like the black theme?

Simply reverse the steps you took to enable the black theme. If you used Dark Mode, disable it. If you used a high-contrast keyboard, turn that feature off. If you changed the theme in the Samsung Keyboard settings, select the default theme.

5. Is there a way to schedule Dark Mode on my Samsung phone so the keyboard automatically switches to black at night?

Yes! In Settings > Display > Dark mode settings, you can usually find an option to schedule Dark Mode to turn on and off automatically based on sunset to sunrise or a custom schedule. This will automatically switch your keyboard theme along with the rest of your phone’s interface.

6. My Samsung keyboard doesn’t have a “Theme” option in the settings. What should I do?

This is usually a sign of an older software version. Ensure your phone’s software is up to date by going to Settings > Software update > Download and install. Older versions might have limited customization options. Also, check if there is a software update for the Samsung Keyboard app in Galaxy Store.

7. Can I customize the color of the keys individually on the Samsung keyboard?

Unfortunately, the Samsung keyboard’s built-in customization options are relatively limited. While you can often choose from pre-set themes, individual key color customization isn’t typically available. For more granular control, consider a third-party keyboard app like Gboard or SwiftKey, which often offer more advanced theming options.

8. Will changing the keyboard theme affect my saved words and predictions?

No, changing the keyboard theme should not affect your saved words, personalized predictions, or autocorrect settings. These settings are usually linked to your Samsung account or the specific keyboard app itself, not the visual theme.

9. How can I make the keyboard even darker than the standard black theme?

If you want an even darker keyboard, try adjusting the contrast settings within the Samsung Keyboard theme options, if available. Alternatively, explore the accessibility settings for additional contrast enhancements. As a last resort, some third-party keyboard apps offer themes specifically designed for maximum darkness.

10. I want a black keyboard, but I also want the key borders to be visible. Is that possible?

Yes! The High contrast keyboard option is your best bet. These themes are designed to provide excellent visibility, even with a dark background, by outlining each key with a bright, contrasting border. Experiment with the different high contrast keyboard options to find one that suits your preferences.

11. Does using a black keyboard affect the keyboard’s functionality in any way?

No, changing the keyboard’s theme is purely cosmetic and should not affect its functionality. You’ll still have access to all the same features, such as autocorrect, predictive text, emojis, and voice typing.

12. Can I download custom black keyboard themes from the Galaxy Store?

Yes, the Galaxy Store often features additional keyboard themes, including various black themes. Go to Settings > Language and input > On-screen keyboard > Samsung Keyboard > Theme and look for an option to “Download themes” or “Browse Galaxy Themes.” This will take you to the Galaxy Store, where you can search for and download keyboard themes.

By following these instructions and exploring the FAQs, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a stylish and functional black keyboard on your Samsung device. Embrace the darkness!