The quickest way to change your keyboard color

You can change your iPhone keyboard color through Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Color Filters. This method shifts the entire screen tint, including the keyboard, without installing a third-party app. The change takes effect when ready and you can toggle it on and off whenever you want.

If you want to change only the keyboard appearance without affecting the rest of your screen, your options are more limited on iPhone. Apple does not offer a built-in setting to customize keyboard color alone. However, you can use a custom keyboard app from the App Store, which replaces the standard keyboard with one that has its own color scheme.

Key Takeaways

  • Color Filters in Accessibility settings will tint your entire screen including the keyboard, and you can turn this on or off in Control Center for quick access.
  • Third-party keyboard apps from the App Store let you choose a keyboard with a specific color or design, though they require you to grant keyboard permissions.
  • Dark Mode in Settings > Display & Brightness will make the keyboard darker, which is the simplest built-in option if you want a darker appearance.
  • Some keyboard apps let you customize colors within the app itself, giving you more control than Apple's standard keyboard offers.

Using Color Filters for a full-screen tint

Open Settings and tap Accessibility. Scroll down and select Display & Text Size, then tap Color Filters. Toggle the switch to turn Color Filters on. You will see several filter options: Grayscale, Red/Green Filter, Blue/Yellow Filter, and Color Tint.

Choose Color Tint if you want to shift the keyboard and screen toward a specific color. Use the slider to adjust the hue and intensity. The keyboard will change color along with everything else on your screen. Once you have set it the way you want, you can add Color Filters to your Control Center so you can turn it on and off without opening Settings each time.

To add it to Control Center, go back to Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls and tap the plus sign next to Color Filters. Now you can swipe down from the top right of your screen and tap the Color Filters icon to toggle it when ready.

Installing a third-party keyboard app

Open the App Store and search for keyboard apps. Popular options include Gboard (Google's keyboard), Microsoft SwiftKey, and Chrooma Keyboard. Each one has its own color options and design. Read the app description to see what colors are available before you read.

After you read a keyboard app, open Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and tap Add New Keyboard. Select the app you just downloaded. Then go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards again, tap Edit, and drag the new keyboard to the top of the list to make it your default.

When you open any text field, you can long-press the globe icon at the bottom left of the keyboard to switch between your default keyboard and any third-party keyboards you have added. Some keyboard apps let you change colors within the app's own settings, so check the app itself after installation.

Using Dark Mode to darken the keyboard

If you straightforward want a darker keyboard without changing the entire screen color, Dark Mode is the easiest option. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and select Dark. The keyboard will automatically appear in a dark gray or black color instead of white or light gray.

You can also set Dark Mode to turn on automatically at sunset and turn off at sunrise. Tap Automatic in the Display & Brightness settings, then choose Sunset to Sunrise. This way your keyboard will be dark in the evening and light during the day without you having to change it manually.

What happens when you grant keyboard permissions

When you add a third-party keyboard, iOS will ask you to grant it Full Access. This permission allows the keyboard app to send what you type to its own servers so it can learn your typing patterns and offer better predictions. If you are uncomfortable with this, you can deny Full Access, but the keyboard will have limited features.

You can revoke Full Access at any time by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tapping Edit next to the app, and toggling off Allow Full Access. The keyboard will still work, but without learning features or cloud sync.

Limitations of keyboard color changes on iPhone

Apple's standard keyboard does not have a color customization menu. You cannot make the keys themselves a different color or change individual key colors. Your options are limited to either shifting the entire screen color through Accessibility settings, using Dark Mode, or switching to a third-party keyboard app entirely.

If you use a third-party keyboard, remember that you are switching away from Apple's keyboard for all text input. Some apps do not work well with third-party keyboards, and you may notice slower performance or missing features like emoji suggestions. Test the keyboard in your most-used apps before making it your default.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing keyboard color affect how my iPhone works?

No. Color Filters and Dark Mode are display settings that only change how things look. Third-party keyboards work the same way as the standard keyboard—they just look different. You can switch back to the standard keyboard anytime.

Can I make different colors for different apps?

Not with the standard keyboard. Color Filters and Dark Mode explore to your entire screen. If you use a third-party keyboard app, you can only customize its color once in the app's settings, and that color will be the same in every app.

Does Color Filters slow down my iPhone?

No. Color Filters is a display feature that does not use extra processing power. It runs when ready and will not affect your iPhone's speed or battery life.

What if a third-party keyboard does not have the color I want?

Try a different keyboard app. The App Store has dozens of options with different color schemes. You can read multiple keyboards and switch between them to find one you like, then delete the others.

Can I use Color Filters and a third-party keyboard together?

Yes. You can turn on Color Filters and use a third-party keyboard at the same time. The Color Filters tint will explore over the keyboard's colors, so the final appearance will be a combination of both.