WhatsApp has no Hindi setting of its own. It uses your phone's keyboard, so you add Hindi to that keyboard. On Android, open Gboard settings, then Languages, then Add keyboard, and choose Hindi. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, Keyboard, Keyboards, then Add New Keyboard and pick Hindi. Switch keyboards with the globe key.
Once Hindi is added, open any WhatsApp chat and tap the message box. The globe key (or a long press on the space bar) switches between English and Hindi. The person you send it to sees normal Hindi text, whatever phone they use.
There are three ways to type Hindi, and you can mix them. You can use the Devanagari keyboard, type in English letters and get Hindi back (transliteration), or speak or write by hand. Here's how to set up each one.
Android: add Hindi to Gboard
Most Android phones use Gboard, Google's keyboard. If yours uses another keyboard, check the notes on Samsung further down.
- Open WhatsApp, tap any chat and tap the message box so the keyboard appears.
- Tap the settings icon (a small gear) on the keyboard, or open Gboard settings from your phone's Settings, under System and Languages.
- Tap Languages.
- Tap Add keyboard.
- Search for Hindi and select it.
- Choose a layout, then tap Done.
The layout is the important choice, so here are your options.
| Layout | What you type | What appears | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hindi (Devanagari) | Hindi letters on the keys | Hindi script | People who already know the Hindi keyboard |
| Hinglish / Hindi transliteration | English letters, such as namaste | Hindi script, such as नमस्ते | Most people, because you type the way you speak |
| Handwriting | Words drawn with your finger | Hindi script | Slow, careful typing, or when you don't know the spelling |
To switch between languages while chatting, tap the globe key on the keyboard, or press and hold the space bar. The language name appears on the bar, so you know which one you're using. If a menu name looks different on your phone, search the keyboard settings for the word Languages.
Samsung Keyboard
Samsung phones have their own keyboard, and Hindi is in its language settings too. Open the keyboard settings, find the language list, and add Hindi. The steps differ a little from Gboard, but the idea is the same: add the language once, then switch with the globe key or the language button.
iPhone: add a Hindi keyboard
On iPhone, you add the keyboard in your phone's main Settings, not in WhatsApp.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap General, then Keyboard.
- Tap Keyboards, then Add New Keyboard.
- Choose Hindi.
- Pick the type you want: Devanagari, or Transliteration (type in English letters and get Hindi).
Now open WhatsApp, tap a chat and tap the message box. Press the globe key to switch to Hindi. Tap it again to switch back to English, or press and hold it to see every keyboard you've added.
If the globe key isn't there, it means you only have one keyboard added. Go back to the settings and add another one.
Voice typing and handwriting
Sometimes you don't want to type at all. Both phones let you talk instead.
- Android: after Hindi is added to Gboard, tap the microphone on the keyboard and speak in Hindi. Your words appear in the message box. Check them before you send.
- iPhone: tap the microphone on the keyboard after Hindi is set as a language, then speak.
- Handwriting on Android: choose the Hindi handwriting layout and draw each word with your finger. It's useful for names you can't spell.
Voice typing is brilliant for long messages, but it can mishear a word, especially in a noisy room. A quick read before you tap send saves embarrassment. WhatsApp also has its own voice message button, which sends your voice as audio rather than turning it into text.
Type Hinglish, get Hindi
This is the method I'd recommend to most people. You type Hindi words in English letters, the way you'd text a friend, and the keyboard suggests the Hindi spelling.
For example, type namaste and the suggestion bar offers नमस्ते. Tap it, and it goes into your message in Hindi script. You can even mix English and Hindi words in the same sentence.
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Tips that make it smoother:
- Type the sound of the word, not an English spelling. Different spellings often work, so try another if the first doesn't appear.
- Look at the suggestion bar above the keys before pressing space. That's where the Hindi word shows up.
- Add names to your keyboard dictionary by typing them once and choosing the right option.
- Switch back to English for words like email or phone numbers, so they stay readable.
Which method should you pick?
If you grew up typing Hindi on a computer or you read Devanagari quickly, the Devanagari keyboard feels natural and gives you full control over every letter. If you mostly text in Hinglish already, transliteration is faster, because there's nothing new to learn.
Handwriting suits older relatives who find small keys difficult, and voice typing suits anyone with a long message and busy hands. There's no wrong choice. You can add all of them and switch whenever you like, since they all sit in the same keyboard settings.
Whichever you choose, try it in a chat with yourself first. Send a short message, check how it looks, and then use it with friends and family.
If Hindi doesn't show up the way you expect
- Boxes instead of letters: update your phone's software, because older systems can lack the Hindi font.
- Wrong suggestions: tap the word you want from the suggestion bar and the keyboard will learn it.
- The keyboard won't switch: check that Hindi is added in your keyboard settings (see the steps above).
- No globe key: add a second language or keyboard first, or press and hold the space bar.
It's also worth knowing that the same method works for other Indian languages. If you chat in more than one, I've written about setting up a Marathi keyboard for WhatsApp and typing Malayalam on WhatsApp.
And if your keyboard behaves strangely in WhatsApp generally, see WhatsApp keyboard settings on Android explained.
Frequently asked questions
Does WhatsApp have a Hindi language setting for typing?
No. WhatsApp uses your phone's keyboard. To type in Hindi, add Hindi to your Android or iPhone keyboard, then switch to it in the chat.
How do I type Hindi using English letters on WhatsApp?
Add the Hinglish or transliteration keyboard on Android, or the Transliteration option on iPhone. Then type the word in English letters, like namaste, and tap the Hindi suggestion.
Can I use voice typing in Hindi on WhatsApp?
Yes. After you add Hindi as a language on Gboard or your iPhone keyboard, tap the microphone on the keyboard and speak. Read the text before you send it.
Will the other person see Hindi text on their phone?
Yes. The person you send it to sees Hindi text normally, whatever phone they use, as long as their phone has Hindi font support.
Why do I see boxes instead of Hindi letters?
This usually means your phone's font support is out of date. Update your phone's software and the letters should appear.
