The fastest way to switch keyboard languages

On Windows, the quickest method is to use Windows + Space — hold the Windows key and press Space to cycle through your installed keyboard languages. On Mac, press Control + Space or Command + Space (depending on your settings) to switch. On iPhone and Android, hold down the Space bar on your keyboard and swipe left or right to pick a different language, or tap the globe icon if one appears.

These shortcuts work only if you have already added a second keyboard language to your device. If you have not set one up yet, you will need to go into your device settings first — the steps differ by operating system, and we walk through each one below.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can cycle through installed keyboard languages by pressing Windows + Space, while Mac users press Control + Space or Command + Space.
  • Before you can switch languages, you must add a keyboard language in your device settings — Windows Settings, System Preferences on Mac, or Language settings on mobile.
  • On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region > Add a Language to install a new keyboard layout.
  • On Mac, open System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources, check the language you want, and enable "Show Input Menu in Menu Bar" so you can switch quickly.
  • On iPhone and Android, the globe icon or Space bar swipe appears only after you have added a second keyboard language in your phone's language settings.

Adding a keyboard language on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings and go to Time & Language on the left sidebar. Click Language & Region, then scroll down and click Add a Language. A list of languages appears — find the one you want and click it. Windows will read the language pack, which takes a minute or two depending on your internet speed.

Once the language is installed, it appears in your language list. You can now switch to it using Windows + Space. If you want to remove a language later, go back to the same menu, click the language you no longer need, and select Remove.

If you use the same language but need a different keyboard layout — for example, QWERTY versus AZERTY for French — you can add multiple layouts for one language. In the same Language & Language & Region menu, click the language you already have installed, then click Options and Add a Keyboard to choose a different layout.

Adding a keyboard language on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Go to Keyboard, then click the Input Sources tab. You will see a list of languages already on your Mac. Check the box next to the language you want to use, then close the window.

To make switching easier, check the box that says Show Input Menu in Menu Bar. A flag or language icon will appear in your menu bar at the top of the screen — click it to switch languages when ready without using a keyboard shortcut. If you do not enable this option, you can still switch using Control + Space or Command + Space, but the menu bar icon is faster for most people.

To add a language that is not already listed, click the + button at the bottom of the Input Sources list. A window opens showing all available languages — select the one you want and click Add.

Adding a keyboard language on iPhone

Open Settings and tap General. Scroll down and tap Keyboard, then tap Keyboards again. Tap Add New Keyboard and choose the language you want from the list. You can add as many languages as you need.

Once you have added a second keyboard, a globe icon appears on your iPhone keyboard. Tap it to cycle through your installed keyboards, or hold it down to see a list and pick one directly. On some iPhones, you can also swipe left or right on the Space bar to switch languages without tapping the globe.

Adding a keyboard language on Android

The steps vary slightly depending on your phone's manufacturer and which keyboard app you use. If you use Google Keyboard (Gboard), open Settings and tap System > Languages & Input > Virtual Keyboard > Gboard. Tap Languages and then Add Keyboard. Select the language you want and tap it to confirm.

Once you have added a language, a globe icon appears on your keyboard. Tap it to switch between languages. Some Android keyboards let you swipe on the Space bar instead — try swiping left or right to see if your keyboard supports this.

If you use a different keyboard app (such as Samsung Keyboard or SwiftKey), the menu path is similar but the exact names may differ. Look for Languages or Input Languages in your keyboard app's settings.

Switching between languages while typing

Once you have installed multiple keyboard languages, you can switch between them without stopping what you are typing. On Windows, press Windows + Space. On Mac, press Control + Space or Command + Space. On iPhone, tap the globe icon or swipe on the Space bar. On Android, tap the globe icon or swipe on the Space bar.

The language you switch to stays active until you switch again — you do not have to re-select it for every sentence. If you type in multiple languages in the same document, you can switch back and forth as often as you need.

Removing a keyboard language you no longer use

On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, find the language you want to remove, click it, and select Remove. On Mac, open System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources, uncheck the language you no longer need, and close the window.

On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, swipe left on the language you want to delete, and tap Delete. On Android with Gboard, open Settings > System > Languages & Input > Virtual Keyboard > Gboard > Languages, tap the language you want to remove, and select Delete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the globe icon not showing on my phone keyboard?

The globe icon only appears after you have added a second keyboard language. Go to your phone's language settings and add another keyboard. Once you do, the globe icon will appear on your keyboard automatically.

Can I set a default keyboard language so it starts in a specific language each time I open an app?

Most phones and computers do not let you set a per-app default language. The keyboard remembers the last language you used and starts in that language the next time you type. On Mac, you can set a default input source in System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources by selecting a language and clicking the gear icon.

What if I accidentally added a language I do not want?

You can remove it at any time without affecting your device. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region and click Remove next to the language. On Mac, uncheck it in System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources. On phones, swipe left on the language in your keyboard settings and tap Delete.

Can I use different keyboard layouts for the same language?

Yes. On Windows, add the language once, then go to Language & Region > Options and click Add a Keyboard to choose a different layout (like QWERTY or AZERTY for French). On Mac, the Input Sources menu shows different layouts for the same language — check the ones you want. On phones, most keyboard apps do not support multiple layouts for one language, but you can add the language twice if your phone allows it.

Does changing my keyboard language change the language of my operating system?

No. Adding a keyboard language only changes the letters and symbols your keys produce — it does not change your menus, settings, or system language. Your Windows, Mac, iPhone, or Android interface stays in whatever language it was set to originally.