# Disable These Gboard Settings to Protect Your Privacy
Google's Gboard keyboard on Android devices collects data by default. Users can disable these features to limit what information reaches Google.
The settings that transmit data include personalized suggestions, search history integration, and usage statistics. Parents managing children's devices should know that Gboard learns typing patterns and preferences unless you turn these features off.
Here's what you can do. Open Gboard settings by going to Settings, then Apps, then Gboard. Find "Advanced" or "Privacy" sections depending on your Android version. Turn off "Personalized suggestions," "Search suggestions," and "Usage and diagnostic data." Disable "Voice Typing" data collection if your child uses voice input. Some versions let you disable "Clipboard access," which prevents Gboard from reading what you've copied.
Turning off these features doesn't break the keyboard. Basic typing and autocorrect still work perfectly. Your device simply stops sending typing data, search queries, and usage patterns to Google's servers.
Android users often don't realize how much keyboard data flows to tech companies. Gboard isn't unique. Other keyboards like SwiftKey and Samsung's keyboard have similar collection practices. If you use a third-party keyboard instead, check its privacy settings too.
This matters for families because kids' typing patterns reveal their interests, questions, and conversations. Disabling data collection puts privacy back in your hands.
The steps take about three minutes. Once disabled, your family's typing remains on your device only. Google can't build profiles based on what your household searches or writes.
Privacy isn't an all-or-nothing choice. You can keep helpful features like spell-check while blocking data collection. Most families find this balance works well.
Check your current Gboard settings this week. If you haven't customized these options, Google's default