In Android 7 Nougat, the developers decided to switch to the much better Noto font family. The Noto font family have the necessarily fonts to display the Unicode code points for Baybayin-Buhid, Baybayin-Hanunoó, Baybayin-Tagalog, and Baybayin-Tagbanwa. This allowed Android 7 Nougat users to see Baybayin Unicode characters, however, to be able to type in Baybayin users have to use third-party apps or other methods … until today.

(If you want to jump to the How-To visit how to activate Baybayin in Gboard.)

Google silenty released three new Baybayin layouts for their Gboard (Google Keyboard) app for Android (not yet available in iOS). The Baybayin community first requested support when Android 7 Nougat and Gboard were released a few years back. The wait was worth it, the new layouts were well thought and studied.

For example, in Baybayin-Tagalog, the layout was split in two groups with a space in the middle. If a user taps a Baybayin-Tagalog character, the “a”, “e/i”, “o/u”, and virama diacritical marks will appear in the middle of the keyboard. This is the first time this method was used and seen in any Baybayin related keyboard layouts (mobile or desktop) and is very inspiring. Baybayin-Buhid and Baybayin-Hanunoó could use the same layout feature and hopefully in the future we will see this implemented.

Where is Baybayin-Tagbanwa keyboard layout? Unfortunately it is not yet available in this release. It is possible that the R&D team are still studying how best to create a layout for Tagbanwa especially since it has fewer characters of the four Unicode Baybayin code points.

2019-08-24 update: Baybayin-Tagbanwa is known as “Aborlan” in the Gboard app. Thanks to Ki Wakat for informing us.

The continued Baybayin request by the Baybayin community finally showed results. Our sincerest thanks to all and the Gboard team, especially the unique and inspiring Baybayin-Tagalog layout.

Download the Gboard app from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store (not yet available for iOS).

Check our How-To guide on how to activate Baybayin in Gboard.

Here is a short guide on how to activate and use Baybayin-Buhid, Baybayin-Hanunoó, Baybayin-Tagalog, and Baybayin-Tagbanwa, using Google’s Gboard app.

How to Install

1. Download the Gboard app from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store (not yet available for iOS).

2. Go to the Gboard settings

   • In Android 9 Pie: Settings > System > Languages & Input > Virtual keyboard > Gboard
   • In Android 8 Oreo: Settings > Languages & Input > Keyboard > Gboard

3. Go to Languages

4. Tap the “ADD KEYBOARD” button at the bottom of the screen

5. In the “Add keyboard” page, choose:

   • “Filipino (Baybayin)” – Baybayin-Tagalog
   • “Hanunuo” – Baybayin-Hanunoó (Mangyan)
   • “Buhid” – Baybayin-Buhid (Mangyan)
   • “Aborlan” – Baybayin-Tagbanwa [thank you to Ki Wakat for informing us]

6. Optionally, add:

   • “English (Philippines)”
   • “Filipino (Latin)”

7. Then remove any other keyboard layouts which were automatically added.

Not working? Join the Beta

If you can not find the keyboard layouts mentioned above, one possible reason is your Google Play Store account and/or unit is yet to receive an update push. Until then, joining the beta is the only way.

1. Go to the Gboard app Google Play Store page
2. Scroll-down and tap “Join the Beta”
3. Wait for a few minutes and reopen the Google Play Store app
4. Then follow again the steps in “I. How to Install"

Still no Baybayin related keyboard layouts? The last option is for you to download the latest Gboard APK, which is not advisable. But if it is your cup of tea, then download here. Remember, it may not be compatible with your phone model!

Baybayin in Gboard is now available for everyone.

2019-08-24 Update

It was discovered that the Gboard app is automatically disabling the layouts if there are no font support in the system.

For example, manufacturers Samsung and MyPhone deleted the Noto Tagalog font in their Android 7 and Android 8 models but left Noto Buhid, Noto Hanunoó, and Noto Tagbanwa. This is the reason why Samsung and MyPhone users can not see the “Filipino (Baybayin)” Gboard layout.

The best way to test this is to open this article in your favourite mobile browser and check if you can see the following texts.

• Baybayin-Buhid: ᝀᝁᝂᝃᝄᝅᝆᝇᝈᝉᝊᝋᝌᝍᝎᝏᝐᝑ
• Baybayin-Hanunoó: ᜠᜡᜢᜣᜤᜥᜦᜧᜨᜩᜪᜫᜬᜭᜮᜯᜰᜱ
• Baybayin-Tagalog: ᜃᜄᜅᜆᜇᜈᜉᜊᜋᜌᜎᜏᜀᜁᜂᜐᜑ
• Baybayin-Tagbanwa: ᝣᝤᝥᝦᝧᝨᝩᝪᝫᝬᝮᝯᝠᝡᝢᝰ

If you can not see one of those, then your mobile phone is missing the appropriate Noto font support for that script. This in turn will automatically disable Gboard support for it. It means it is time to switch to an “Android One” model.

How to type in Baybayin after activation

1. Long-tap the “spacebar” to show the “Change Keyboard” menu; or tap the “world” icon
2. Switch between the activated keyboard layouts now available (as shown in the above screeeshot)
3. Type away