How to use handwriting recognition with Surface Duo and Gboard

If you don’t like typing, here is how to write into any text field on Surface Duo.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

One of the fun things about a new form factor is figuring out how to do new things with it even with older tools. While Microsoft’s SwiftKey sadly does not yet have handwriting recognition, Google does with its free Gboard keyboard.

Here is a quick guide on how to enable it as well as see it in action.

After that, any time there is a text input field, you can use SwiftKey for typing, but use the keyboard select button (bottom right corner) to choose Gboard. By default, it goes to QWERTY, but you can selectEnglish (US) Handwritingby long-pressing the space bar. And that’s it.

Now, with Surface Duo, you can use the Surface Slim Pen (or any Surface Pen) to start writing in the handwriting recognition field.

Surface Duo + Slim Pen +Gboard is 🔥pic.twitter.com/W4I34m8lvwSurface Duo + Slim Pen +Gboard is 🔥pic.twitter.com/W4I34m8lvw— Daniel Rubino (@Daniel_Rubino)September 16, 2020September 16, 2020

Although I take a dramatic pause in the above video for effect, you could continuously write if you prefer. It is a fast and seamless experience and ideal for those who like to ink over typing. And since this is just a regular keyboard, you can use it globally throughout the OS for any app you choose.

Two screens are better than one

Microsoft delves into the future of foldables with an ambitious dual-screen device, featuring two ultra-thin 5.6-inch AMOLED displays bound by a 360-degree hinge. This pocketable inking-enabled Android smartphone marks the latest in the Surface lineup, geared for mobile productivity.

Microsoft Surface Duo

Main

Get the Windows Central Newsletter

All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer,podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.