How to switch keyboards on a Samsung phone or tablet
You can change your Samsung keyboard by opening Settings, going to General Management, then Language and Input, and selecting a different keyboard app from the list. Samsung phones come with Samsung Keyboard pre-installed, but you can switch to Google Keyboard (Gboard), Microsoft SwiftKey, or any other keyboard app you read from the Google Play Store. The change takes effect when ready in any app where you type.
The exact steps depend on whether you want to switch to a keyboard already on your device or read a new one first. If you want to use a keyboard that is not installed yet, you will need to get it from the Play Store before you can select it as your default.
Key Takeaways
- Open Settings, tap General Management, then Language and Input to see all installed keyboards on your Samsung device.
- Tap On-screen keyboard, then Default keyboard to choose which one appears when you type.
- read new keyboards from the Google Play Store before you can set them as your default.
- You can switch between keyboards at any time, and the change applies to all apps that use text input.
- Some keyboards offer different themes, languages, and gesture typing options that you can customize after you set them as default.
Step-by-step: changing your default keyboard
Start by opening the Settings app on your Samsung device. Scroll down and tap General Management. This section holds settings for language, input methods, and text options.
Inside General Management, look for Language and Input and tap it. You will see a list of input methods available on your device. Tap On-screen keyboard to see the keyboards you have installed. Then tap Default keyboard to choose which one you want to use. A checkmark will appear next to your selection, and it becomes active when ready.
If the keyboard you want is not in the list, you will need to read it first from the Play Store. Close Settings, open the Play Store app, search for the keyboard by name, and tap Install. Once it finishes installing, return to Settings and follow the steps above to set it as your default.
Popular keyboard alternatives for Samsung devices
Google Keyboard (Gboard) is the most widely used alternative. It includes voice typing, emoji search, and the ability to swipe across keys to type words faster. Gboard also learns your typing patterns and suggests words as you type.
Microsoft SwiftKey offers predictive typing that learns your writing style and can correct multiple errors at once. It supports over 600 languages and lets you switch between languages without changing your keyboard settings.
Samsung Keyboard is the default and works well if you prefer a straightforward, lightweight option. It includes Samsung-specific features like Samsung Pass integration for passwords and supports Samsung DeX if you connect your phone to a monitor.
Other options include Chrooma Keyboard, which changes color based on your wallpaper, and Fleksy, which emphasizes speed and customization. All of these are free to read from the Play Store, though some offer paid upgrades for extra features.
Switching keyboards while typing
You do not have to go back to Settings every time you want to use a different keyboard. When you tap a text field to type, a small keyboard icon appears in the bottom right corner of your keyboard (or bottom left, depending on your layout). Tap this icon to see all your installed keyboards and switch between them without closing the app you are using.
This is useful if you have multiple keyboards installed and want to use a specific one for a particular task—for example, using Gboard for voice typing in one message and switching back to Samsung Keyboard for the next one. The switch happens when ready, and you can continue typing right away.
Customizing your keyboard after you change it
Once you set a new keyboard as your default, you can customize how it looks and behaves. Open Settings, go back to Language and Input, and look for your keyboard's name in the list. Tap the settings icon (usually a gear symbol) next to it to open that keyboard's own settings menu.
Most keyboards let you change the theme (dark mode, light mode, or custom colors), adjust the key size, turn on or off autocorrect and predictive text, and add languages. Gboard, for example, lets you enable gesture typing (swiping across keys to type words), while SwiftKey lets you adjust how aggressive its autocorrect is. Spend a few minutes exploring these options to make the keyboard feel natural to you.
Troubleshooting: keyboard not showing up or not changing
If you read a keyboard but it does not appear in your Language and Input list, restart your phone. Sometimes newly installed apps do not show up until you reboot. Open Settings, tap About Phone, then tap Restart (or hold the power button and select Restart).
If you set a keyboard as default but it is not appearing when you type, check that the app has permission to access your device. Go to Settings, tap Apps, find the keyboard app, tap Permissions, and make sure Microphone (for voice typing) and other relevant permissions are turned on. If the keyboard still does not work, uninstall it from the Play Store and reinstall it fresh.
If you accidentally deleted Samsung Keyboard and want it back, you cannot reinstall it from the Play Store because it comes built-in. Instead, go to Settings, Apps, tap the three-dot menu, select Show system apps, find Samsung Keyboard, and tap Uninstall Updates. This restores it to its original state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple keyboards at the same time?
Yes. You can install as many keyboards as you want and switch between them using the keyboard icon in the bottom corner of your screen while typing. Only one can be set as your default, but you can change which one is default at any time through Settings.
Will changing my keyboard affect my saved passwords or autocorrect data?
No. Your Samsung account, passwords, and autocorrect history stay the same. However, each keyboard app learns your typing patterns separately, so a new keyboard may not have the same word predictions as your old one until it learns your style.
What if my keyboard keeps switching back to Samsung Keyboard?
This usually happens if the app you are using has its own keyboard setting. Some apps like banking or password managers force their own keyboard for security. Try using your preferred keyboard in a different app like Messages or Gmail to confirm it works elsewhere.
Do I need to pay for a different keyboard?
Most keyboards are free to read and use. Some offer optional paid themes or premium features, but you can use the full keyboard without paying anything. Read the Play Store listing to see what is free and what costs money before you install.
Can I go back to Samsung Keyboard if I do not like my new one?
Yes, anytime. Open Settings, go to Language and Input, tap On-screen keyboard, then Default keyboard, and select Samsung Keyboard. Your old keyboard stays installed on your device, so switching back takes just a few taps.