How to Type ß (Sharp s (eszett)) on Android

Published July 30, 2026, 2 min read

Need ß on Android for a name, an address or a word in another language? You do not have to copy it from a website every time. The fastest method is Hold s, and there are a few backups below for when that one is not available.

ß on Android: Hold s

Or copy it:

Method 1: Long-press the letter

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

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

Method 2: Add the German keyboard

Open Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Gboard → Languages.
Tap Add keyboard and pick German.
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 ß as the word and add a shortcut such as ss. Typing the shortcut then suggests ß.

About the letter ß

ß is Unicode U+00DF, named LATIN SMALL LETTER SHARP S. It is used in German. See the ß 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 ß on Android?

Hold s.

Can I just copy and paste ß?

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 ß?

U+00DF. In HTML it is ß.

Related guides

All accent shortcuts for Android