To write in Hindi on WhatsApp, add a Hindi keyboard to your phone, then switch to it while typing a message. On an iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard and choose Hindi. On Android with Gboard, go to Settings > System > Languages & input (or open Gboard settings) and add Hindi under Languages. WhatsApp doesn’t have its own language keyboard, so it uses whichever keyboard you pick.
You can type in Devanagari script directly, or use transliteration: type Hindi words in English letters (like “namaste”) and the keyboard turns them into नमस्ते.
Quick Answer
Add a Hindi keyboard in your phone’s keyboard settings, open a WhatsApp chat, and tap the globe or language key to switch to Hindi.
Add a Hindi Keyboard on iPhone
- Open Settings and tap General.
- Tap Keyboard, then Keyboards.
- Tap Add New Keyboard and choose Hindi.
- Pick Devanagari (Hindi letters) and/or Transliteration (type in English letters), then tap Done.
Add a Hindi Keyboard on Android (Gboard)
- Open any chat in WhatsApp and tap the message box to bring up the keyboard.
- Tap the gear icon on Gboard’s toolbar (or long-press the comma key and choose settings).
- Tap Languages, then Add keyboard.
- Search for Hindi and choose a layout: हिन्दी for Devanagari or Hinglish to type Hindi in English letters.
- Tap Done.
Samsung Keyboard users can add Hindi from Settings > General management > Samsung Keyboard settings > Languages and types.
Type in Hindi on WhatsApp
- Open a chat in WhatsApp and tap the message box.
- Tap the globe key (iPhone) or the globe/space bar (Android) to switch to Hindi. On Android, you can also swipe the space bar.
- Type your message. With transliteration, tap a suggested Hindi word above the keyboard to insert it.
- Tap Send.
Other Ways to Write in Hindi
| Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Devanagari keyboard | Type Hindi letters directly | People who know the Hindi layout |
| Transliteration | Type in English letters; it converts | Most people who speak Hindi |
| Voice typing | Tap the microphone and speak in Hindi | Long messages |
| Handwriting (Gboard) | Draw Hindi letters with your finger | Occasional words |
For voice typing, make sure Hindi is added as a keyboard language first; the microphone uses the language of the active keyboard.
Troubleshooting
- No globe key on iPhone: You only have one keyboard enabled. Add Hindi as shown above.
- Hindi letters show as boxes for the other person: Their phone’s software is very old. Updating the phone usually fixes it.
- Suggestions don’t appear in transliteration mode: Turn on Predictive (iPhone: Settings > General > Keyboard) or Show suggestion strip (Gboard: Text correction).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change WhatsApp’s menus to Hindi?
Yes. WhatsApp follows your phone’s language on iPhone. On Android, go to WhatsApp Settings > App language (or Chats > App language on some versions) and choose Hindi.
Does the Hindi keyboard work in other apps?
Yes. Once added, you can use it in any app that shows the keyboard.
Summary
- Add a Hindi keyboard in your phone’s settings.
- Choose Devanagari, transliteration, or both.
- Switch to Hindi with the globe key in WhatsApp.
- Use voice typing for longer messages.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.