Gboard, Google's virtual keyboard, has established itself as the preferred tool for millions of users thanks to its constant innovations in the typing experience on mobile devices. One of the most requested and celebrated features recently is the ability to copy and paste images directly into messaging apps and supported platforms, bridging the gap between the versatility of computers and smartphones. Below, we explain in great detail everything you need to know about pasting images into apps using Gboard, including how it works, limitations, new features, and practical tips.
Why is image pasting so important in mobile apps?
On desktop operating systems like Windows, macOS, or Linux, copy and paste images It's a simple, everyday process that facilitates interaction in chats, emails, and documents. However, on mobile devices, this feature had been limited primarily to text, forcing users to manually download and upload images or rely on sharing menus. Integration with Gboard allows for increased productivity and immediacy in communication, making it possible for Copied images are shared more quickly and intuitively directly from the keyboard in any compatible application.
How the image clipboard works in Gboard
The new function of the Gboard clipboard It allows you to store not only text but also images, including screenshots and photos copied from compatible applications, such as Google Chrome. To get started with this feature:
- Open any app you want to enter text in (e.g., WhatsApp, Messenger, or Gmail).
- Open the Gboard keyboard and tap the clipboard icon (located between the GIF and the settings gear).
- Enable the feature to save images to the clipboard. Some devices will ask for permission to access your files and photos.
Once active, every time you copy a image In a supported app, Gboard will display a thumbnail of the image in the top bar of the keyboard. From there, you can paste it directly into a message box, comment, or document, depending on the target app's compatibility.
Compatibility and apps where you can paste images with Gboard
Support for pasting images via Gboard works across a wide variety of popular apps, though compatibility depends on each app properly implementing the clipboard manager:
- Google Messages
- Facebook and Messenger
- Samsung Messages
- Snapchat
- Skype or Whatsapp
- Hangouts
- Google Docs
- AOSP messaging
- Viber
- Line
- VK
- imo
- Zalo
- Badoo
- Lite Messenger
- Motorola Messages
- Helo
Telegram and Instagram weren't officially supported at the start of the feature's rollout, although Google has indicated its intention to progressively expand compatibility to more apps. Your experience may vary: for example, WhatsApp opens the image editor before sending the photo, while in other services the image is sent directly.
Prerequisites and steps to activate the feature
To take full advantage of this feature, make sure you have the latest version of Gboard installed and updated from Google Play. Additionally, if you want to copy images from Chrome, you'll need to enable the specific option in the browser by following these steps:
- Write chrome :/ / flags in Chrome's address bar.
- Look for the option copy image and activates the corresponding flag.
- After restarting the browser, when you long press on an image you will find the option Copy image.
The option to save recent screenshots to the clipboard can also be enabled from Gboard's settings, ensuring that every time you take a screenshot on your phone, it's instantly available to paste into any compatible app.
Limitations and privacy considerations
Pasting images in Gboard depends on both the Android operating system version and the permissions policy of each app. Android 10 and higher versions They may have additional restrictions because they limit background access to the clipboard for security and privacy reasons. It's important to note that Gboard never sends your images or private information to Google; all clipboard content remains solely on your device and is periodically deleted to protect your data.
The feature may be in testing on some devices or regions before its final global rollout. Additionally, if the option isn't available on your phone, it could be because the final update hasn't arrived yet for your model or ROM, especially if you're not using beta versions.
Tips and advanced features
In addition to copying and pasting images, Gboard integrates features such as scanning text from images Thanks to the integration with Google Lens, you can select "scan text" from the top bar of the keyboard or the options menu, activate the camera, and extract text information from any photo or physical document, instantly digitizing it to paste it wherever you need. This feature is primarily available on the latest versions of Android and Pixel devices, but will be rolled out to more users progressively.
If you want to improve your productivity even more, we recommend organizing your clipboard, delete old items and explore the image and text suggestions that appear just above the main keyboard row, allowing you to quickly share content between your favorite apps.
The possibility of Paste images into apps from Gboard It represents a qualitative leap in mobile interaction, making communication and managing visual content more efficient. By unifying text, image, and scanning functions, Gboard consolidates itself as the most advanced all-in-one solution for Android users, adapting to new forms of communication and eliminating unnecessary intermediate steps.
