The Apple Watch SE does **not have a built-in keyboard** for typing messages or inputting text directly. While newer models like the Apple Watch Series 8 or Apple Watch Ultra come with a native keyboard, the SE generation relies on alternative text input methods by default.
However, you are not limited to only these methods. You can add a keyboard functionality to your Apple Watch SE by downloading a third-party app from the App Store.
## Adding a Keyboard to Your Apple Watch SE
According to the reference, if you want to type with a keyboard on your Apple Watch SE, you can:
* **Download an app from the App Store called FlickType, which will add a keyboard to your Apple Watch SE.**
This means that while Apple didn't include a keyboard natively on the SE, developers have created apps that bring this functionality to the device.
## Default Text Input Methods on Apple Watch SE
Without a native keyboard, the Apple Watch SE offers other ways to input text:
* **Scribble:** You can draw letters and numbers on the screen with your finger, and the watch converts them into text.
* **Dictation:** You can speak your message or query, and the watch will transcribe it into text.
These methods are available out-of-the-box.
## Comparing Apple Watch Text Input Methods
Here's a quick look at the different ways you can input text on an Apple Watch SE:
| Method | Availability on SE | Requires App Store Download | Notes |
| :---------------- | :----------------- | :-------------------------- | :---------------------------------------- |
| Native Keyboard | No | No | Available on newer models (Series 8, Ultra) |
| Scribble | Yes (Default) | No | Draw letters one by one |
| Dictation | Yes (Default) | No | Speak your message |
| **FlickType App** | Yes (Via App) | Yes | Adds a full keyboard layout |
To get keyboard typing on your Apple Watch SE, downloading an app like FlickType is the necessary step, as the device does not have this feature natively. You will need to search for and install such applications directly from the App Store on your connected iPhone or the App Store app on the watch itself.
