Tamil Typing on Smartphones — Your Options
There are three ways to type Tamil on a smartphone:
- Built-in Tamil keyboard — add Tamil as a system language and use the built-in keyboard
- Tanglish typing — type Tamil words phonetically in English, get Tamil Unicode output
- Third-party Tamil keyboard apps — apps like Google Indic Keyboard with better Tamil support
The right choice depends on how often you type Tamil and how comfortable you are with the Tamil script.
iPhone — Add Tamil Keyboard
- Open Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards.
- Tap Add New Keyboard.
- Scroll down and select Tamil.
- Choose a keyboard layout — Tamil99 is recommended for modern use; Tamil Typewriter is for people familiar with the old typewriter layout.
- Tap the globe icon on any keyboard to switch to Tamil while typing.
The built-in iPhone Tamil keyboard produces Unicode Tamil directly — it works in WhatsApp, Messages, Notes, Mail, and every other app.
Android — Add Tamil Keyboard
Most Android phones support Tamil through Gboard (Google Keyboard), which is pre-installed on most devices:
- Open Settings → General Management → Language and Input → On-screen Keyboard → Gboard.
- Tap Languages → Add Keyboard.
- Search for Tamil and select it.
- Choose Tamil99 layout and tap Done.
- While typing, tap the globe or language icon on the Gboard to switch to Tamil.
Note: The exact path varies slightly between Android manufacturers (Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi). If you can't find these settings, search "keyboard" in your Settings app.
Tanglish Typing — The Easiest Method
If you don't want to learn the Tamil keyboard layout, Tanglish (phonetic typing) is the fastest way to type Tamil. You type Tamil words in English letters and the app converts them to Tamil Unicode automatically.
On Gboard (Android):
- Add Tamil as a language in Gboard (steps above).
- Switch to the Tamil keyboard.
- Tap the transliteration option (shown as "அ→a" or similar).
- Type phonetically — "vanakkam" becomes வணக்கம் automatically.
On iPhone: The built-in Tamil keyboard doesn't support Tanglish. Use Google Indic Keyboard from the App Store for Tanglish support on iPhone.
On any browser: Use FontConvertor.in's Tanglish mode — type in the input box with the Tanglish toggle on, copy the Tamil Unicode result, and paste it anywhere.
Best Tamil Keyboard Apps
Google Indic Keyboard (Android + iOS)
Google's dedicated Indian language keyboard. Supports Tamil with both phonetic (Tanglish) and script input. Free, no ads, integrates seamlessly with all apps. The best all-round option for Tamil typing on Android.
Gboard with Tamil (Android)
Gboard already supports Tamil as a built-in language — no separate app needed. Tap the globe to switch languages mid-sentence. Works well for Tamil99 layout typing.
Microsoft SwiftKey (Android + iOS)
SwiftKey supports Tamil and has good predictive text for Tamil words. Useful if you're already a SwiftKey user.
Azhagi+ (Android)
A Tamil-specialist keyboard app with excellent Tanglish support and unique features for Tamil typography. Preferred by Tamil writers and journalists for its accuracy and range of Tamil input methods.
Tamil Keyboard Layouts Explained
| Layout | Best for | Learning curve |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil99 | Modern users, most efficient | Medium — designed for easy learning |
| Tamil Typewriter | People who learned on old typewriters | Easy if you know it, hard otherwise |
| Phonetic / Tanglish | Casual typing, beginners | Very easy — no Tamil script knowledge needed |
| Inscript | Government standard, formal use | Hard — requires memorisation |
Tips for Faster Tamil Typing on Mobile
- Enable Tamil autocorrect: Both Gboard and the iPhone keyboard learn your Tamil vocabulary over time and suggest words as you type.
- Use voice typing for Tamil: Tap the microphone on Gboard and speak in Tamil — it transcribes directly to Tamil Unicode with high accuracy.
- Add Tamil to your quick-switch list: Set Tamil as one of your active keyboards so you can switch with one tap instead of going through Settings.
- For long documents on mobile: Type using Tanglish on FontConvertor.in in your browser, compose at length, then copy the result into WhatsApp or your app.
Type Tamil in Tanglish online — no keyboard install needed, works on any mobile browser.