There are three practical ways to type Urdu on your phone: add an Urdu keyboard, type in Roman Urdu and convert it, or speak and let voice typing do the work. This guide shows each one on Android and iPhone, and helps you pick the one that suits how often you write Urdu.
Option 1: Add an Urdu keyboard to your phone
An Urdu keyboard puts Urdu letters directly on your screen. It is the best choice if you write Urdu every day, but expect a week or two before you are fast with it.
On Android (Gboard)
- Make sure Gboard is installed. It comes with most Android phones; if not, install it from the Play Store.
- Open any app where you can type, and tap the gear icon on the keyboard to open Gboard settings.
- Go to Languages, then Add keyboard, and search for Urdu.
- Pick the layout you prefer and tap Done.
- Switch between English and Urdu with the globe key or by pressing and holding the space bar.
On iPhone
- Open Settings, then General, then Keyboard.
- Tap Keyboards, then Add New Keyboard, and choose Urdu.
- In any app, tap the globe key to switch to the Urdu keyboard.
Option 2: Type Roman Urdu and convert it
If you already type Urdu in English letters (aap kaise hain), you don’t need to learn anything new. Type your message as usual, paste it into our Roman Urdu to Urdu converter, and copy the Urdu script back.
This works best for longer texts: a Facebook post, a message to a teacher, a caption, a letter. The converter handles chat spellings like hy and nhi, and English words like phone and update. Words it is not sure about are highlighted so you can check them.
Option 3: Speak instead of typing
Voice typing is the fastest way to write a lot of Urdu. On Android, the microphone on Gboard can type in Urdu once Urdu is added as a keyboard language. On a computer or Android phone, you can also use our Urdu voice typing tool in Chrome, which adds Urdu punctuation buttons and a copy button.
Speak in full phrases, in a quiet place, and check names and English words afterwards. They are the most common mistakes.
Which way to type Urdu on a phone should you choose?
| If you… | Best option |
|---|---|
| write Urdu every day | Urdu keyboard |
| already type fast in Roman Urdu | Roman Urdu converter |
| need to write long texts quickly | Voice typing |
| write Urdu only now and then | Roman Urdu converter |
Why does my Urdu look different on some phones?
The letters are the same everywhere, but each phone draws them with its own font. Some phones use the flowing Nastaliq style, others the upright Naskh style. If you want your text to look exactly the same on every screen, for example on a WhatsApp status or an Instagram post, use the Save as image button in our converter to turn the text into a picture.
How to write Urdu in WhatsApp
WhatsApp uses whichever keyboard your phone has, so there is no Urdu setting inside the app. Once you add the Urdu keyboard (Option 1), tap the globe key in any chat to switch to Urdu. If you prefer to keep typing in English letters, write your message in our Roman Urdu to Urdu converter, press “Copy Urdu” and paste it into the chat. The same works for Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and SMS.
How to type Urdu on mobile faster
- Turn on word suggestions. Gboard suggests Urdu words as you type. Tapping a suggestion is faster than typing every letter.
- Learn where the special letters are. On many Urdu layouts, pressing and holding a key shows related letters and marks. Spend five minutes exploring the keys once and you will not need to hunt for them later.
- Use Urdu punctuation. The Urdu full stop ۔ and comma ، are on the symbols page. Our Urdu punctuation guide lists them all.
- Keep both keyboards. You do not have to give up English. The globe key switches in one tap.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best Urdu keyboard for Android?
For most people the best Urdu keyboard for Android is Gboard, because it is already on most Android phones, it is free, and it includes Urdu voice typing. Samsung phones also have Urdu in the built-in Samsung Keyboard under Languages and types.
Does iPhone have an Urdu keyboard?
Yes. Urdu is built into the iPhone keyboard. Add it in Settings, General, Keyboard, Keyboards, Add New Keyboard.
Can I type Urdu on my phone without installing anything?
Yes. Type in Roman Urdu with your English keyboard and convert it in the browser. Nothing needs to be installed.
Why do some Urdu letters look different on my phone?
Each phone draws Urdu with its own font. The letters are the same; only the style changes between Nastaliq and Naskh.