You know how to enter text on your Android phone, but did you know that you can also type with your voice, your handwriting, or even Morse code?

Typing on smartphones has largely remained the same since their introduction. You poke at the slab of glass to text a friend, look up an address, or enter text anywhere else on your phone.

But you'd be surprised to know there several additional fun and interesting methods for text input on your phone. Here are the six major ways you can type on Android.

1. Standard Typing

We begin with standard typing. Every Android phone ships with a default virtual keyboard that offers a QWERTY layout you're almost certainly familiar with. You can tap the individual keys to compose text and don't need to worry about any setup process.

However, you can replace this stock keyboard with other third-party options available in the Play Store. You can configure a different virtual keyboard depending on what you're looking for. There are all sorts of options—whether you want more customization, better accuracy, or a more reliable cross-platform backup feature.

While Google's Gboard gets the job done well, and Samsung Keyboard is also great on Galaxy phones, SwiftKey is one of our favorite alternative Android keyboards. It offers powerful predictions, tons of customization options, and support for typing in multiple languages.

Download: SwiftKey (Free)

2. Gesture or Swipe Typing

If you feel regular typing is too sluggish, try adopting gestures. Nearly all virtual keyboards today let you write by gliding your finger across the keys. Instead of tapping each key individually, with gesture typing, you can simply hold your finger on the first letter of the word and then swipe it across all the other letters in a single motion.

The keyboard will figure out what word you're typing with uncanny accuracy.

In addition, a few apps also allow typing entire sentences with this method. All you need to do is visit the space bar when you'd like to move to another word, and the virtual keyboard will add a space in between words. Again, SwiftKey is the best option here for accuracy and responsiveness.

Along with saving time, gesture typing also takes a lot less effort and you can do it one-handed. Once you get used to it, there's no going back.

3. External Keyboards

Many people rely on their phones to get real work done. If you've ever done so on a smartphone, you know virtual keyboards are not up to the task. In such scenarios, you need a better option. Luckily, Android lets you connect an external, full-fledged keyboard (there are, of course, pros and cons to using an external keyboard).

You have two ways to connect these. If they're wireless, you can simply pair them over Bluetooth, and you should be all set without any further tweaking.

For USB-wired keyboards, you may need a special dongle to use USB OTG (On-The-Go). This enables you to connect a full-size USB-A connector to your phone's micro-USB or USB-C port. Since Android natively supports these keyboards, you don't need to modify any settings to start using it.

What's more, some keyboard manufacturers now offer boards designed for phones that include dedicated keys for navigating around a mobile OS. The Logitech K480 is a prime example of this. If you're struggling to type quickly even after switching to an external keyboard, check out these tips for typing faster.

4. Voice Typing

There's a lot you can do with just your voice on Android. Voice input for typing is arguably the most convenient way to type on a smartphone, as long as you're not in a public or noisy place. The button for dictating some text is situated at the top or bottom row on nearly every keyboard. You can tap it to begin speaking.

The engine will automatically figure out the spaces. However, you'll need to tell it to insert punctuation marks. For instance, to type How are you?, you will have to say "How are you question mark." You can clear what you have said recently with "Clear".

The keyboard will continue to transcribe what you speak until you pause for a couple of seconds or press the back key (or the Search key). Find the option to change the input language inside the settings icon on the left of the dictation screen.

5. Morse Code

If you're in search of a little typing challenge, Android has you covered. Google's Gboard app comes with the ability to interpret Morse code so that you can type in the language of dots and dashes. It's one of many things you probably didn't know Gboard for Android can do.

You'll have to know Morse code already, as this feature isn't made for learning. Rather, it's for users with disabilities who rely on Morse code for typing.

To switch to Morse code on Gboard, head to Settings > System > Languages & input. Select On-screen keyboard, then Gboard. Choose Languages, tap your current language, and slide through the list horizontally until you see Morse code. Select this and review the options if you like. Hit Done, and you're ready.

At a text field where you want to write in Morse code, make sure you're using Gboard. If you are, keep tapping the Globe icon until you reach Morse code. You can now enter text using dots and dashes. Gboard even supports word suggestions while using Morse code.

6. Handwriting

You can even type with your own handwriting on Android, thanks to Gboard. To enable the mode, you will have to follow the same process as for activating Morse code above.

Navigate to Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard > Gboard. Then tap Languages, pick your current language, and slide through the list until you see Handwriting. Select it, then tap Done.

To use this method of input, select Gboard and tap the Globe icon until you reach Handwriting mode. On the panel, you can either write individual characters or draw the entire word. Plus, the feature also supports cursive if you'd like to use that.

Handwriting with your fingers can be tiresome, however. For a great typing experience, you should use a stylus on your smartphone instead.

Type on Your Android Phone in Different Ways

There are different ways to type on Android. Some may be difficult to crack, like Morse code, while some are easier, like voice typing. The good thing is you don't have to be restricted to one method. You can switch between the options depending on the circumstances if it makes your life a little bit easier.