How to enable text-to-speech using Google voice typing on Galaxy S8

Ever since Google reinvented Android OS as the future of mobile devices, Android OEMs like Samsung have been working to create a separate identity from the mainstream Android devices. While the Galaxy series does have its recognizable design and user interface, there are still features like the Gboard from Google that users prefer over Samsung Keyboard.

One useful feature of Gboard is Google voice typing, that lets you keep your fingers free when sending out texts. However, Galaxy S8 users have been facing issues with trying to get Google voice typing to work on their devices, and this can be easily resolved using the methods given below.

Step 1: Enable Google App

Google app is fundamental on stock Android devices not just for the use of Google Assistant, but features like Google voice typing. Since Samsung wants its virtual assistant Bixby to be what Google Assistant already is, it has been trying to push forward its own Bixby service over that of Google.

  1. From the home screen of your Galaxy S8, head over to the Settings
  2. In the Settings menu, scroll down to find the Apps
  3. Scroll down through the list to find Google and enable the app is it isn’t already.

Step 2: Enable Google voice typing

Now that you have the Google app enabled on your device, you can enable Google voice typing and begin using it right away.

  1. From the home screen of your Galaxy S8, head over to the Settings
  2. Navigate to General Management – Language and Input – Virtual keyboard – Manage keyboards.
  3. Toggle off Samsung Keyboard and Samsung voice input, but make sure that Google voice typing is enabled.

While you can try using Google voice typing with the Samsung keyboard, but the system seems to redirect the voice typing back to Samsung voice input. We recommend that you get the Gboard app from the Google Play Store and replace Samsung Keyboard entirely.

Posted by
Husain

Sharing a love-hate relationship with Biotechnology in college, Husain moved on to his true calling of being a tech geek through and through. While briefly being persuaded by the iPhone, he made it back to the Android camp with the OnePlus One and has been a loyal comrade since.