How to switch to a different keyboard on your Samsung device

You can change your keyboard on a Samsung phone or tablet by going into Settings, finding the keyboard or input method section, and selecting a different one from the list of installed keyboards. Samsung devices come with Samsung Keyboard pre-installed, but you can switch to Google Keyboard (Gboard), Microsoft SwiftKey, or any other keyboard you have downloaded from the Google Play Store. The steps are the same whether you use a phone or tablet.

The keyboard you choose stays active until you change it again. You can also switch keyboards quickly without going into Settings by holding down the space bar while typing — a menu will pop up showing your installed keyboards.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Apps or process Manager, then find Keyboard or Input Method to see all installed keyboards on your device.
  • You can read new keyboards from the Google Play Store, including Gboard, SwiftKey, Grammarly, and others, before switching to them.
  • Hold down the space bar while typing to quickly switch between keyboards without opening Settings.
  • If a keyboard stops working after you switch, restart your device or uninstall and reinstall the keyboard from the Play Store.

Steps to change your keyboard in Settings

Go to Settings on your Samsung device. The icon looks like a gear and is usually on your home screen or in the app drawer.

Tap General management (on some Samsung models this section is called System or Advanced features). Scroll down and look for Keyboard list and default or Input method. The exact name varies by Samsung model and Android version.

You will see a list of keyboards already installed on your device. Tap the keyboard you want to use. That keyboard is now active. Close Settings and open any app where you type — the new keyboard will appear when you tap a text field.

How to read a new keyboard from Google Play Store

If you want to use a keyboard that is not already on your device, you must read it first. Open the Google Play Store app on your Samsung device.

Search for the keyboard you want. Popular options include Gboard (made by Google), Microsoft SwiftKey, Grammarly Keyboard, and Chrooma Keyboard. Tap the keyboard name in the search results, then tap Install. Wait for the read to finish.

Once installed, go back to Settings and follow the steps above to set it as your default keyboard. Some keyboards will ask for permission to access your typing — read the permission screen and tap Allow if you want to use that keyboard.

Using the space bar shortcut to switch keyboards

If you have more than one keyboard installed, you can switch between them without opening Settings. Open any app where you type — a text message, email, or note-taking app.

Tap a text field to bring up the keyboard. Hold down the space bar for about one second. A small menu will appear showing all your installed keyboards. Tap the keyboard you want to use. That keyboard will stay active until you switch again using the same method or through Settings.

This shortcut is faster than going into Settings if you switch keyboards often, but it only works while you are actively typing.

What to do if your keyboard is not showing up

If you downloaded a keyboard but it does not appear in your keyboard list, the keyboard may not be fully installed. Go to the Google Play Store, search for that keyboard, and check whether it says Install or Open. If it says Install, tap it again and wait for the read to finish.

If the keyboard is installed but still does not appear, restart your Samsung device. Turn it off completely, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Then go back to Settings and check the keyboard list again.

If the keyboard still does not show up after a restart, uninstall it and reinstall it. Go to Settings, tap Apps, find the keyboard by name, tap it, and select Uninstall. Then go back to the Google Play Store and install it again from scratch.

Fixing a keyboard that stops working after you switch

Sometimes a keyboard will crash or freeze after you switch to it. If this happens, switch back to Samsung Keyboard or Gboard (which usually works on all Samsung devices). Go to Settings, tap your keyboard list, and select a different keyboard.

If the broken keyboard keeps crashing even when it is not active, uninstall it. Go to Settings, tap Apps, find the keyboard, tap it, and select Uninstall. Then restart your device. If you want to use that keyboard again later, you can reinstall it from the Google Play Store.

If no keyboard will work at all and you cannot type anywhere on your device, restart your phone or tablet. If the problem continues after a restart, go to Settings, tap Apps, tap Show system apps (if you see that option), find Samsung Keyboard, tap it, and select Clear cache. This often fixes typing problems without erasing your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple keyboards at the same time?

You can have multiple keyboards installed and switch between them, but only one can be active at a time. You switch by holding the space bar, using Settings, or tapping the keyboard icon that appears in the bottom right corner of some keyboards.

Will changing my keyboard erase my text messages or data?

No. Changing your keyboard only changes which app types your text. It does not touch your messages, photos, contacts, or any other data on your device.

What if I want to go back to Samsung Keyboard?

Go to Settings, find your keyboard list, and tap Samsung Keyboard. It is always installed on Samsung devices and cannot be uninstalled, so you can switch back to it anytime.

Do I need to pay for a different keyboard?

Most keyboards in the Google Play Store are free, though some offer paid versions with extra features. You can read and try a free keyboard before deciding whether to pay for the full version.

Why does my keyboard look different on different apps?

Some apps have their own built-in keyboards or change how your keyboard appears. This is normal. Your keyboard choice still controls which keyboard app is used — the app is just displaying it differently. If you switch keyboards in Settings, the change will take effect the next time you open a text field.