Device Guides
Samsung Galaxy S II
How to
Writing text on my mobile phone
Want to learn how to write text, such as notes or messages? There are various ways of writing text. Follow these easy instructions.
List view
1. Introduction
Text input is used in many of the phone functions, such as notes and messages. The following steps require that you're writing text and that the keypad is visible.
2. Select text input settings
There are a number of different text input settings. The most important settings are described in the following steps.
Choose one of the following options:
Select keypad type, go to 2a.
Select writing language for QWERTY or phone keypad, go to 2b.
Select writing language for Swype keypad, go to 2c.
Turn predictive text input for QWERTY or phone keypad on or off, go to 2d.
Turn word suggestion for QWERTY or phone keypad on or off, go to 2e.
Turn word suggestion for Swype keypad on or off, go to 2f.
Choose one of the following options:
Select keypad type, go to 2a.
Select writing language for QWERTY or phone keypad, go to 2b.
Select writing language for Swype keypad, go to 2c.
Turn predictive text input for QWERTY or phone keypad on or off, go to 2d.
Turn word suggestion for QWERTY or phone keypad on or off, go to 2e.
Turn word suggestion for Swype keypad on or off, go to 2f.
3. 2a - Select keypad type
Tap and hold the text input field until a pop-up menu is displayed.
Swype is a keypad where you slide your finger across the keys instead of tapping them.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Tap Input method.
Swype is a keypad where you slide your finger across the keys instead of tapping them.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Tap Swype or Samsung keypad.
Swype is a keypad where you slide your finger across the keys instead of tapping them.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
If you select Samsung keypad:
Swype is a keypad where you slide your finger across the keys instead of tapping them.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Tap the settings icon (a gear wheel).
Swype is a keypad where you slide your finger across the keys instead of tapping them.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Tap Portrait keypad types.
Swype is a keypad where you slide your finger across the keys instead of tapping them.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Tap Qwerty Keypad, 3x4 Keypad, Handwriting box 1 or Handwriting box 2.
Swype is a keypad where you slide your finger across the keys instead of tapping them.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
Qwerty Keypad has one letter on each key.
3x4 Keypad is a phone keypad with several letters on each key.
Handwriting box 1 consists of several fields. You can write one character in each field a time using handwriting.
Handwriting box 2 consists of one field. You can write several characters in the same field using handwriting.
4. 2b - Select writing language for QWERTY or phone keypad
Tap the settings icon (a gear wheel).
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Tap Input languages.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Tap the required language.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
When the box next to a language is ticked (V), the language is selected.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Tap the Return key twice to return to text input.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Tap and hold Space.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Drag your finger right or left to select the required writing language.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
5. 2c - Select writing language for Swype keypad
Tap the settings icon (a gear wheel).
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Tap Options.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Tap Language.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Tap the required language.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
When the box next to a language is ticked (V), the language is selected.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Tap the Return key twice to return to text input.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Tap the language to select the required writing language.
The selected language determines which characters are available and which dictionary is used for word suggestion.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Before you can change writing language, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
6. 2d - Turn predictive text input for QWERTY or phone keypad on or off
Tap and hold the settings icon.
If you turn on predictive text input, words based on the letters you've keyed in are displayed.
Before you can turn on predictive text input, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn on predictive text input, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Tap XT9 to turn the function on or off.
If you turn on predictive text input, words based on the letters you've keyed in are displayed.
Before you can turn on predictive text input, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn on predictive text input, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
When the box next to the menu item is ticked (V), the function is turned on.
If you turn on predictive text input, words based on the letters you've keyed in are displayed.
Before you can turn on predictive text input, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn on predictive text input, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Tap the Return key to go back to text input.
If you turn on predictive text input, words based on the letters you've keyed in are displayed.
Before you can turn on predictive text input, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn on predictive text input, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
7. 2e - Turn word suggestion for QWERTY or phone keypad on or off
Tap and hold the settings icon.
If you turn on word suggestion, words are suggested as you key in the first letters.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Briefly tap XT9 to turn on predictive text input.
If you turn on word suggestion, words are suggested as you key in the first letters.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
When the box next to the menu item is ticked (V), the function is turned on.
If you turn on word suggestion, words are suggested as you key in the first letters.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Tap XT9 advanced settings.
If you turn on word suggestion, words are suggested as you key in the first letters.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Tap Word completion to turn the function on or off.
If you turn on word suggestion, words are suggested as you key in the first letters.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
When the box next to the menu item is ticked (V), the function is turned on.
If you turn on word suggestion, words are suggested as you key in the first letters.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Tap the Return key twice to return to text input.
If you turn on word suggestion, words are suggested as you key in the first letters.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Qwerty Keypad or 3x4 Keypad in step 2a.
8. 2f - Turn word suggestion for Swype keypad on or off
Tap the settings icon.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Tap Options.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Tap Word prediction to turn the function on or off.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
When the box next to the menu item is ticked (V), the function is turned on.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
Tap the Return key to go back to text input.
Before you can turn word suggestion on or off, you need to select Swype in step 2a.
9. How to write text
The following steps describe how to use the different keypad types when dictionary and word suggestion are turned on.
Choose one of the following options:
Use Swype keypad, go to 3a.
Use QWERTY keypad, go to 3b.
Use phone keypad, go to 3c.
Use handwriting 1, go to 3d.
Use handwriting 2, go to 3e.
Choose one of the following options:
Use Swype keypad, go to 3a.
Use QWERTY keypad, go to 3b.
Use phone keypad, go to 3c.
Use handwriting 1, go to 3d.
Use handwriting 2, go to 3e.
Please note: the following steps require that you've selected a keypad type in step 2a.
10. 3a - Use Swype keypad
Tap the first letter of the required word and slide your finger, without lifting it, across all the letters in the word.
Lift your finger after the last letter.
Lift your finger after the last letter.
Tap the required word to insert it.
To key in one number:
Tap and hold the key with the required number until the number is displayed.
Tap and hold the key with the required number until the number is displayed.
To key in more numbers or symbols:
Tap SYM.
Tap SYM.
Tap the required numbers or the required symbols.
Tap ABC to return to text input.
11. 3b - Use QWERTY keypad
Tap once on each letter to write the required word.
A number of words based on the letters you've keyed in are displayed.
A number of words based on the letters you've keyed in are displayed.
Tap the required word to insert it.
Tap arrow down to see more words.
To key in numbers or symbols:
Tap ?123.
Tap ?123.
Tap 1/3 to see more symbols.
Tap the required numbers or the required symbols.
Tap ABC to return to text input.
12. 3c - Use phone keypad
Tap once on each letter to write the required word.
A number of words based on the letters you've keyed in are displayed.
A number of words based on the letters you've keyed in are displayed.
Tap the required word to insert it.
Tap arrow down to see more words.
To key in one number:
Tap and hold the key with the required number until the number is displayed.
Tap and hold the key with the required number until the number is displayed.
To write more numbers:
Tap 123.
Tap 123.
Tap the required numbers.
Tap ?#+ and then ABC to return to text input.
To key in symbols:
Tap 123 and then ?#+.
Tap 123 and then ?#+.
Tap 1/8 to see more symbols.
Tap the required symbols.
Tap ABC to return to text input.
13. 3d - Use handwriting 1
To key in letters:
Key in the required letters in the top left field or the top right field.
Key in the required letters in the top left field or the top right field.
To key in numbers:
Key in the required numbers in the bottom left field.
Key in the required numbers in the bottom left field.
To key in symbols:
Key in the required symbols in the bottom right field.
Your mobile phone automatically suggests a letter, number or character matching what you've keyed in.
Key in the required symbols in the bottom right field.
Your mobile phone automatically suggests a letter, number or character matching what you've keyed in.
14. 3e - Use handwriting 2
To key in letters:
Tap the symbol selection icon until ABC is displayed in the bottom left corner of the display.
Tap the symbol selection icon until ABC is displayed in the bottom left corner of the display.
To key in numbers:
Tap the symbol selection icon until 123 is displayed in the bottom left corner of the display.
Tap the symbol selection icon until 123 is displayed in the bottom left corner of the display.
To key in symbols:
Tap the symbol selection icon until ?#+ is displayed in the bottom left corner of the display.
Tap the symbol selection icon until ?#+ is displayed in the bottom left corner of the display.
Key in the required letters, numbers or symbols in the text input field.
Your mobile phone automatically suggests a letter, number or character matching what you've keyed in.
To insert a space between two words:
Draw a horizontal line in the text input field.
Your mobile phone automatically suggests a letter, number or character matching what you've keyed in.
To insert a space between two words:
Draw a horizontal line in the text input field.
Text input is used in many of the phone functions, such as notes and messages. The following steps require that you're writing text and that the keypad is visible.
There are a number of different text input settings. The most important settings are described in the following steps.
Choose one of the following options:
Select keypad type, go to 2a.
Select writing language for QWERTY or phone keypad, go to 2b.
Select writing language for Swype keypad, go to 2c.
Turn predictive text input for QWERTY or phone keypad on or off, go to 2d.
Turn word suggestion for QWERTY or phone keypad on or off, go to 2e.
Turn word suggestion for Swype keypad on or off, go to 2f.
The following steps describe how to use the different keypad types when dictionary and word suggestion are turned on.
Choose one of the following options:
Use Swype keypad, go to 3a.
Use QWERTY keypad, go to 3b.
Use phone keypad, go to 3c.
Use handwriting 1, go to 3d.
Use handwriting 2, go to 3e.
Please note: the following steps require that you've selected a keypad type in step 2a.
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