What you need to know
- The tipster reportedly discovered a new accessibility feature Google is working on for Gboard called “Access Text.”
- The feature will use the user’s camera and Google’s artificial intelligence to “translate” sign language into written text for messages or online searches and more.
- Android has several general accessibility features, and Android 16 has helped improve the hearing aid experience for Bluetooth LE-based models and more.
Android has several important accessibility features that help make devices useful. However, a recent rumor claims that Google is working on another one, and it could be its most significant yet.
“Sign text” feature Android Authority claims that Google is working on its own keyboard app Gboard. The publication claims to have found within the code of the latest version of the Gboard app a welcome pop-up for “Enter Text”, an accessibility feature for users who communicate with sign language. The initial description says it will “convert your input to text messages, web searches, emails, and more.”
As you can imagine, this Gboard feature will use your phone’s camera to capture your signature. If you’re expecting this feature to rely on Google’s artificial intelligence, you’d be right. Together with tipster AssembleDebug, the publication determined that Sign-to-text will “translate” sign language into written text. While the video says “never leave your device,” Sign-to-text will send “body motion points” to Google for translation before it’s deleted.
There is still a little unknown about it. The consultant couldn’t find much other than a screenshot and a brief description. There is also speculation about how good Google’s support for sign language will be. Android Authority points out that there are other sign languages out there besides American Sign Language.
Available to all
As we mentioned earlier, Android has its fair share of accessibility options for users. Android 16 made two important changes for users who use hearing aids. If the user has a pair of Bluetooth LE headphones, he can switch to his phone’s microphone to better hear the call. Additionally, users can adjust the volume of their hearing aids from their phone. Work on improving the hearing aid experience continued for Android 16 in December 2025.
on Google year-end updatehearing aids were given Fast Pair support. The one-touch experience of connecting these devices to a compatible Android device was definitely a big win. Google first introduced it for Demant hearing aids, but planned to expand support to Starkey devices earlier this year. Apart from hearing aids, Android has accessibility options for colors and text size, but sign language is something new to the existing selection.
Android Central’s Take
I like that it was discovered. It’s in Google code, yes, but I hope it means something. I’ve seen things like this disappear because it’s probably something Google is trying to see can do. I really hope it’s someone who does because it would be great for people to sign.
