How to type Amharic on WhatsApp
WhatsApp does not have an Amharic keyboard of its own; it uses the one on your phone. Set up an Amharic keyboard once, and you can write chats, statuses, captions and group names in አማርኛ.
Set up the keyboard
- Install Addiyon Keyboard and open it.
- Tap Enable in settings and switch Addiyon on.
- Tap Switch keyboard and choose Addiyon.
The full walkthrough, including where each phone keeps the setting, is in How to type Amharic on Android.
Write a message
Open a chat and type the sounds in English letters. Each word turns into Fidel as you go, and the bar above the keys suggests full words:
| Type | Sends | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
selam, endiet neh? | ሰላም፣ እንዴት ነህ፧ | Hi, how are you? |
dehna nesh? | ደህና ነሽ፧ | Are you well? (to a woman) |
yet neh? | የት ነህ፧ | Where are you? |
melkam ldet! | መልካም ልደት! | Happy birthday! |
enkWan aderesachu | እንኳን አደረሳቹ | Happy holidays |
Mix Amharic and English
Tap the globe key to switch to English for a word or two, then tap it again for Amharic. Both layouts have their own suggestions, so mixed messages stay quick.
Statuses, group names and your profile
The same keyboard works everywhere in WhatsApp: status text, photo captions, group names and descriptions, and the About line on your profile.
Polish a message before sending
Wrote it in a hurry? Above Addiyon’s keys are Fix grammar, Friendly, Formal, Shorten and more. Tap one and the message in the box is rewritten in Amharic or English. Tap undo to get your own words back. It is free each day.
If something goes wrong
- Boxes instead of letters: the phone has no Ethiopic font. Update Android and WhatsApp; every Android version since 5.0 includes one.
- WhatsApp opens the old keyboard: make Addiyon the default from the keyboard switcher.
- A word comes out wrong: check the spelling rules, or pick the right word from the suggestions.
Common questions.
Does WhatsApp have its own Amharic keyboard?
No. WhatsApp uses whichever keyboard your phone is set to. Install an Amharic keyboard once and it works in WhatsApp and every other app.
Can the people I message read Amharic if they don’t have an Amharic keyboard?
Yes. Reading Amharic needs only a font, and every modern Android phone and iPhone has one. The keyboard is only needed to write.
Can I fix grammar before sending?
Yes. In Addiyon Keyboard, write your message and tap Fix grammar above the keys. It works for Amharic and English, and undo brings your own words back.
Can I type Amharic on WhatsApp Web?
Yes, with a computer keyboard that supports Amharic, or by writing in the online Amharic typing tool and pasting the text into the chat.
Type Amharic in every app.
Addiyon Keyboard is free on Google Play. It turns English letters into Fidel as you type, works offline, and keeps your typing on your phone.