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Why Is My Samsung Keyboard Turning Images Into Asterisks? (Shocking Bug Explained)
A peculiar bug affecting Samsung Keyboard users has emerged, causing images in messages to be mysteriously replaced with asterisks when the keyboard’s grammar checker detects errors. This technical glitch has been frustrating users across multiple platforms, creating an unexpected barrier to seamless communication.
The Core Problem
The Samsung Keyboard bug manifests when users attempt to send images alongside text that contains grammatical errors. When the keyboard’s spellchecker identifies a mistake and displays the characteristic green underline, it triggers an unintended consequence: any attached images are automatically converted into a single asterisk symbol. This transformation occurs regardless of the image type, whether it’s a carefully selected GIF, meme, or photograph.
The issue was first brought to widespread attention by Reddit user Smart-University-135 on the r/oneui subreddit, who documented the problem with a screen recording. Initially mistaking it for a Reddit-specific glitch, the user later discovered that switching to Google’s Gboard eliminated the problem entirely, confirming that Samsung Keyboard was the source of the malfunction.
Affected Platforms and User Impact
The bug extends beyond Reddit, with reports indicating similar occurrences on Microsoft Teams and potentially other messaging platforms. This widespread impact suggests the issue lies within the Samsung Keyboard’s core functionality rather than being platform-specific.
Multiple users have reported experiencing this frustrating phenomenon:
- Users initially attributed the problem to platform-specific bugs
- The issue occurs consistently when grammar errors are detected
- Image replacement happens instantaneously without user intervention
- The problem affects various image formats and sizes
Root Cause Analysis
Investigation by affected users has identified the Grammarly integration within Samsung Keyboard as the likely culprit. This third-party grammar checking service, while designed to enhance writing quality, appears to be interfering with image processing functionality. The integration between Samsung’s keyboard software and Grammarly’s correction algorithms seems to create a conflict that results in image data being corrupted or misinterpreted.
Current Workaround Solutions
Users have discovered several temporary solutions to circumvent this issue:
Primary Solution
Disable the “English” text correction feature in Samsung Keyboard settings. This approach eliminates the grammar checking that triggers the bug while maintaining basic keyboard functionality.
Alternative Approach
Compose text first, ensure grammatical accuracy, then attach images afterward. This method prevents the grammar checker from activating during image attachment.
Keyboard Switching
Temporarily switch to alternative keyboards like Gboard when sending image-rich messages.
Technical Implications
This bug highlights potential compatibility issues between integrated third-party services and core device functionality. The interaction between Grammarly’s real-time grammar checking and Samsung’s image processing algorithms appears to create unexpected data conflicts. Such integration problems can significantly impact user experience and productivity, particularly for users who rely heavily on visual communication.
Expected Resolution Timeline
While neither Samsung nor Grammarly has issued official statements regarding this specific bug, the identification of the root cause suggests that a software update could potentially resolve the issue. Users experiencing this problem should monitor for Samsung Keyboard updates and consider reporting the bug through official Samsung support channels to expedite resolution efforts.