There has been a problem with a number of Samsung Galaxy smartphones regarding the cursor (blinking “I” icon) when a user types a text or scrolling during typing.
According to the users of those Galaxy devices, the cursor keeps jumping off automatically to the bottom of the text area when they type a message, email, note, or even when posting something on social media.
According to our research on this problem in the Samsung community, the most reported devices for this case are the Samsung Galaxy S series (S23, S22, S21, S20, S10, S7, etc), and the Note series (Note 9, Note 10, etc.)
This can be happening due to a bug, or a glitch in the keyboard app (we are talking about the default Samsung keyboard here). However, if this is the problem you are facing right now, this guide will help you to resolve it.
Editor’s note: We created these instructions using a Samsung Galaxy S23 running Android 13 (assuming you are using the default Samsung keyboard. ). Depending on your device’s software version, some steps and menu positions may look slightly different.
Table of Contents
Fix 01: Update the Keyboard App
When the last time you updated the keyboard app on your Galaxy smartphone? Sometimes, an un-updated keyboard can cause such issues. You can update the keyboard app to the latest version and see if the problem is fixed.
To update the keyboard, you can use Galaxy Store, or Google Play Store. Here is how you can do it on Google Play Store.
- Open Google Play Store on your Galaxy smartphone.
- Tap on the profile icon.
- Tap on “Manage apps and device”.
- Tap on the Manage tab.
- Tap on the Updates available button.
- Then, scroll down and find the Samsung keyboard (or the keyboard you use) and if it is there, it means you can update the app.
- Tap on the keyboard app and update it.
If you didn’t find the Samsung keyboard on Play Store, open the Galaxy Store and follow these steps;
- Tap on the menu icon at the bottom left side.
- Tap on Updates.
- See the list of updates-available apps, and tap on the Update icon next to the Samsung keyboard
Fix 02:Clear Keyboard App Cache
If you don’t know, your keyboard app builds the cache to store repetitive data. This can significantly increase the speed of the app.
However, if the cache gets corrupted or outdated (it can happen because of system updates, and various factors), it can cause the keyboard app to malfunction and produce such problems.
The best way to fix this is to clear the app cache. Doing this won’t affect the configurations you have made to the keyboards, word suggestions, and saved words on the keyboard.
To clear the cache of the Samsung keyboard, follow these steps;
- Open Settings.
- Tap on Apps.
- Scroll down and tap on the Samsung keyboard.
- Tap on Force stop.
- Then, tap on Storage.
- Finally, tap on the Clear cache button to clear the keyboard cache.
Once you have cleared the cache of the keyboard app, restart your device and see if it works.
Fix 03: Turn Off Predictive Text
A few users have reported that turning off the predictive text on the Samsung keyboard helped them fix the cursor automatically jumping issue. So you can try this trick too.
To turn off predictive text on the Samsung keyboard, follow the instructions below;
- Open Settings
- Tap on General management
- Tap on “keyboard list and default”
- Then, tap on “Samsung keyboard”
- Toggle off the button next to “Predictive text”
Fix 04: Clear Keyboard App Data
Clearing keyboard app data will reset the keyboard app to default and delete all the saved words, and patterns. But it has a higher chance of fixing the cursor from jumping off.
So you can take screenshots of what you configured within the keyboard app. And delete the app data. This way you won’t have to figure out what was configured before.
Follow these steps to clear the Samsung keyboard app data;
- Open Settings
- Tap on Apps
- Tap on Samsung Keyboard
- Tap on Storage
- Finally, tap on Clear data
Fix 05: Switch to a Different Keyboard App
If you still having problems with the cursor of the keyboard, then you can switch to another third-party keyboard app.
Since there are many, what we recommend is using the Google Keyboard (Gboard). It has a similar UI to the default Samsung keyboard, plus every feature that you can expect from a keyboard app.
You can even use other keyboard apps on your Galaxy smartphone. But make sure to check the reviews/download count to verify if the keyboard app you choose works best without any issues.
If you want to try the Gboard app, follow these steps;
- Open Google Play Store
- Tap on the search bar and type “Gboard”
- From the results, tap on Gboard and install it
- Open the app, and set it up by following the instructions given.
That’s it. We hope this guide helped you to resolve the cursor that keeps jumping on your Galaxy smartphone keyboard.
So which solution worked for you? Don’t forget to give us feedback, as it also helps other users like you to solve this issue.
13 Comments
Thank you for the guide. As with everyone else…the scrolling and moving of the cursor was ANNOYING AF.
I did the suggestions and it is working splendidly. Unsure which one did it, but it has been resolved. I did not use a different app though. Still with the standard Samsung keyboard. Thanks again.
Glad to help Ronin!
I’ve had the same issue for a year and a 1/2 now With the cursor referring to the beginning while texting I’ve had another issue with my phone so I brought it and they gave me a the SIM card seems to have fixed the cursor jumping to the beginning of while texting. If you’re having problems with your cursor jumping to the beginning try swapping the SIM card
That is an odd solution. Anyway, thanks for letting us know!
Danu,
I have tried all of these solutions without success. I have a Galaxy S8+ running Android 9. I use the Swype+Dragon keyboard and I have also tried the Samsung default keyboard. Only happens in Android Messages.
This problem started on my wife’s identical phone a few weeks ago and mine within the last week. When this started happening we also noted our batteries suddenly started draining rapidly (full to 0% overnight). I tried from Device Care making sure the battery is optimized, and cleaning memory. This sometimes helped, other times not. When the problem is temporarily not happening the battery drain is normal. So whatever is going on is causing some application(s) to run uncontrolled. I noted under battery Usage that Android Services was running excessively, like 12% to 20% where normally it is about 1% to 2%.
Also, I noted that 1) the cursor jumps to the beginning of the message, and 2) the keyboard collapses down and needs to be re-opened by tapping in the text window. Also, I noted that I will occasionally see a small circle appear on the screen just before all that happens. Only lasts about 1/4 second or so. Made me think about some process is pinging something or resetting something.
Based on these observations, I made the following interesting test. Thinking that the circle represented some external reset or communication attempt I deliberately put the phone into Airplane Mode. I know I can’t send or receive messages in that mode but I can type them. Sure enough, in Airplane Mode the keyboard acts perfectly fine. No cursor jumping, no keyboard collapsing, etc. But as soon as I get out of Airplane Mode all the problems happen.
I have tried resetting all my network settings. No change.
Your expertise, guidance, and insight would be appreciated. Also I would love to know if anyone else observes the same thing in Airplane Mode.
Sincerely,
Richard
Thanks for your comment. The issue has nothing to do with the airplane mode. It is happening because of a software issues. Did you try updating the software of your device. If not, try that and see if it works.
Richard, I am having same issues and have tried everything but software update. Have you made any progress?
Nothing is working on an older Note 8 🙁 Samsung keyboard has been reset numerous times, keyboard cache cleared and all predicative everything turned off. Switched to GBoard and same issue…… when texting the cursor jumps to the beginning of the text. I’ve had the phone for 5+ years and this has happened a few times in the past but now I can’t fix it. I know the device is end of life but if this is a problem with newer models I’m not so sure I still want another Samsung. I am having other issues with the device, text messages won’t send, calls won’t go out until stop network connection (airplane mode or power off) and re-establish. The tech at the store said TMobile was updating towers and maybe my phone isn’t registering and switching right because it is older 🙁 It gets super hot and not sure why because I’ve deleted lots of apps and recent apps. I have most of these issues settled down but the cursor jumping is such a pain. I’m not ready to buy a new device and would like to keep using this one if possible. Any suggestions?
Have you tried updating the software?
same Issues as the rest…i use google messenger …it FIXED the cursor jumping BUT the Battery drain is VERY bad….so, HOW do you UNINSTALL the messenger that came with the s8 plus Phone? I can NOT even keep it FORCE STOPPED ..it does seem to be the culprit !! but no way i can see to delete it..stop it GET RID of IT !!!
Sandeemc- I am experiencing the same exact issues that you described. Any update besides the software update?
Nothing worked until I switched to a different sms app. Extra seems to be working fine.
Samsung Note 8 here. Tried every fix mentioned here and in other places without success. Finally switched to another sms app (Chomp); problem solved.