How to Type ï (I with umlaut) on Android

Published August 17, 2026, 2 min read

ï is i with umlaut, a letter used in French, Dutch, Catalan and Welsh. On Android, the quickest way to get it is Hold i. This guide covers every method that works, including the capital Ï and fixes for common problems.

ï on Android: Hold i

Ï on Android: Hold i

Or copy it:

Method 1: Long-press the letter

Open the keyboard in any app.
Touch and hold the i key.
Slide your finger to ï and lift it.

ï is on the long-press menu of the default English keyboard.

Method 2: Add the French keyboard

Open Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Gboard → Languages.
Tap Add keyboard and pick French.
Switch keyboards with the globe key or by holding the space bar.

Method 3: Personal dictionary shortcut

In Gboard go to Settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary, pick your language, tap +, paste ï as the word and add a shortcut such as ium. Typing the shortcut then suggests ï.

How to type the capital Ï

The uppercase form works the same way with Shift added where a letter is typed.

Long-press the letter

Open the keyboard in any app.
Touch and hold the I key (with Shift on).
Slide your finger to Ï and lift it.

Ï is on the long-press menu of the default English keyboard.

Add the French keyboard

Open Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Gboard → Languages.
Tap Add keyboard and pick French.
Switch keyboards with the globe key or by holding the space bar.

About the letter ï

ï is Unicode U+00EF, named LATIN SMALL LETTER I WITH DIAERESIS. It is used in French, Dutch, Catalan, Welsh and Afrikaans. Two dots above a letter. As a German umlaut it changes the vowel sound (ä, ö, ü); as a diaeresis in French, Dutch, Spanish or English (naïve, Noël) it shows that a vowel is pronounced separately. See the ï character page for every code and shortcut.

Troubleshooting

Samsung Keyboard and Gboard show slightly different long-press menus. If a letter is missing, add the language.
Turn off "Long press for symbols" in Gboard settings if holding a key shows numbers instead of accents.
Personal dictionary shortcuts appear as suggestions; tap the suggestion to insert the letter.

Frequently asked questions

What is the shortcut for ï on Android?

Hold i.

Can I just copy and paste ï?

Yes. Click the copy button above, then paste with Ctrl+V on Windows and Chromebook, Cmd+V on a Mac, or touch and hold and choose Paste on a phone.

What is the Unicode code for ï?

U+00EF. In HTML it is ï.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for Android