How to switch your keyboard language
You can change your keyboard language in seconds using your operating system's built-in language settings. The method depends on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or a Chromebook. Most devices let you add multiple languages and switch between them with a keyboard shortcut or on-screen button, so you don't have to restart or log out.
The fastest way is usually a keyboard shortcut: Windows uses Windows key + Space, Mac uses Control + Space (or Command + Space on newer versions), and Android shows a language button on your keyboard itself. Once you add a second language to your device, you can toggle between them when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Windows lets you switch languages with Windows key + Space once you add a second language in Settings > Time & Language > Language.
- Mac users can add languages in System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, then switch with Control + Space or Command + Space.
- iPhone and iPad users add languages in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap the globe icon on the keyboard to switch.
- Android devices show a language button on the keyboard itself after you add a second language in Settings > System > Languages & Input.
- Chromebooks use Shift + Ctrl + Space to switch between languages after adding them in Settings > Advanced > Languages & Input.
Changing keyboard language on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Time & Language on the left sidebar. Click Language & Region, then scroll down and click Add a language. Type the name of the language you want (Spanish, French, German, Japanese, etc.) and click it when it appears in the dropdown.
Windows will read the language pack, which takes a minute or two depending on your internet speed. Once it finishes, you'll see the new language listed under "Language". Now you can press Windows key + Space to cycle through your installed languages. If you want to change which language appears first in the list, click the three dots next to any language and select Move up.
If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work, check that you actually have two languages installed. Go back to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region and confirm both languages are listed. Some older Windows 10 builds require you to restart your computer after adding a language.
Changing keyboard language on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Go to Keyboard, then click the Input Sources tab on the left. Click the + button at the bottom left to add a new language.
A list of available languages will appear. Find the one you want, click it, then click Add. The language is now installed. To switch between languages, press Control + Space (or Command + Space on newer Macs). A small menu will pop up showing your available keyboards. Click the one you want or press the arrow keys and hit Enter.
If you want to switch languages without seeing the menu, check the box next to Allow a different input method for each app. This way, if you switch to a French document, your keyboard automatically changes to French when you click in that window.
Changing keyboard language on iPhone and iPad
Open Settings and tap General. Scroll down and tap Keyboard, then tap Keyboards at the top. Tap Add New Keyboard and select the language you want from the list. You can add as many languages as you need.
Once you've added a second language, a small globe icon will appear on your keyboard next to the space bar. Tap it to cycle through your installed languages. The keyboard layout and autocorrect will change to match the language you selected. If you want to remove a language, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, swipe left on the language, and tap Delete.
Changing keyboard language on Android
Open Settings and go to System (or System & Updates on some phones). Tap Languages & Input, then tap Virtual Keyboard or On-screen Keyboard. Select your keyboard app (usually Gboard or Samsung Keyboard). Tap Languages and tap Add Language. Choose the language you want and tap it.
After you add a second language, a language button (usually showing the current language code, like "EN" or "ES") will appear on your keyboard. Tap it to switch languages. Some Android keyboards also let you long-press the space bar to see all your installed languages at once.
Changing keyboard language on Chromebook
Click the time in the bottom-right corner of your screen, then click the Settings gear icon. Go to Advanced on the left sidebar and click Languages & Input. Under Input Method, click Add Input Methods. Find the language you want and click it. A checkmark will appear next to it.
Now you can press Shift + Ctrl + Space to switch between your installed languages. A small menu will show your options. You can also click the language indicator in the bottom-right corner of your screen (next to the time) and select a different language from the dropdown.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is adding a language but forgetting to actually install the language pack. On Windows, the read happens automatically, but it can take a few minutes. If your keyboard shortcut isn't working, wait a minute and try again. On Mac, make sure you're using the correct keyboard shortcut for your macOS version—older versions use Control + Space, while newer ones may use Command + Space.
Another mistake is confusing the keyboard language with the system language. Changing your keyboard language does not change the language of your menus, notifications, or system messages. If you want to change those, you need to go to your main language settings, not your keyboard settings. On Windows, that's Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region. On Mac, it's System Settings > General > Language & Region.
If you add a language but can't find the switch button, restart your device. Sometimes the keyboard app needs to reload to show the new language option. On mobile phones, if the globe icon doesn't appear on your keyboard, try opening a text field (like a note-taking app or text message) and look again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than two keyboard languages at once?
Yes. You can add as many languages as you want on any device. Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and Chromebook all support multiple languages. The more you add, the more times you'll need to press the keyboard shortcut to cycle through them, so most people stick with two or three.
Will changing my keyboard language change my spell-check language?
Yes, on most devices. When you switch to French, your spell-checker will check for French spelling and grammar. This is usually helpful, but if you want to type in one language with spell-check in another, you may need to turn off spell-check or look for an advanced setting in your keyboard app.
What if I don't see my language in the list?
Most major languages are available on all devices. If you don't see your language, try searching for it by country name instead (for example, "Chinese - Simplified" or "Portuguese - Brazil"). If it still doesn't appear, your device may not support that language, or you may need to update your operating system.
Can I set a default keyboard language so it doesn't switch back?
On Windows and Mac, your keyboard will stay on the language you last used in each app. On iPhone and Android, the keyboard stays on your last language until you switch it. If you want one language to be the default everywhere, set it as your first language in your language list, and it will be the one that appears when you restart your device.
Do I need to read anything to add a new keyboard language?
On Windows, the language pack downloads automatically when you add a language. On Mac, iPhone, and Android, the language is usually already on your device, so no read is needed. Chromebooks read language packs automatically as well. The whole process takes less than a minute on most devices.