Where to Find Keyboard Settings on Your iPhone

You change your iPhone keyboard in the Settings app under Keyboard. Open Settings, scroll down and tap General, then tap Keyboard. From here you can add new keyboards, remove ones you don't use, and switch between them while typing. The exact steps depend on whether you want to add a completely different keyboard app or just switch between language keyboards built into iOS.

If you're looking to use a third-party keyboard — one made by a company other than Apple — you'll need to read it from the App Store first, then enable it in Settings before you can use it. Built-in keyboards like Spanish, French, or Emoji are already on your phone and just need to be turned on.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in language keyboards are turned on in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, and you can add as many as you want.
  • Third-party keyboards must be downloaded from the App Store first, then enabled in Settings before they appear when you type.
  • Once a keyboard is added, you switch between them by holding down the globe icon (or space bar) while typing and selecting the one you want.
  • You can remove keyboards you don't use by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tapping Edit, and swiping left to delete.
  • Some third-party keyboards require you to grant them "Full Access" in Settings to use features like autocorrect and custom dictionaries.

Adding a Built-In Language Keyboard

Built-in keyboards include languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Japanese, and many others. To add one, open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards. Tap Add New Keyboard, and a list of available languages appears. Tap the language you want — you can add multiple at once by tapping each one.

Once you've added a language keyboard, it shows up in your keyboard switcher the next time you open any text field. You don't need to restart your phone or do anything else. If you add a language with multiple keyboard layouts — like Chinese with Pinyin or Handwriting — you'll see options for each one and can choose which layout you prefer.

Installing and Enabling a Third-Party Keyboard

Third-party keyboards like Gboard (Google), SwiftKey, or Grammarly work differently from built-in ones. First, read the app from the App Store. Search for the keyboard name, tap Get, and wait for it to install. You'll need to open the app at least once after installation.

Next, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and tap Add New Keyboard. The third-party keyboard should appear in the list. Tap it to enable it. Some keyboards will then ask you to grant "Full Access" — a permission that lets them learn your typing patterns and provide better suggestions. You can grant this in Settings > General > Keyboard > [Keyboard Name] by toggling on "Allow Full Access."

Be aware that third-party keyboards can see what you type while you're using them. Read the app's privacy policy if you're concerned about your data. You can always switch back to the standard Apple keyboard at any time.

Switching Between Keyboards While You Type

Once you have multiple keyboards enabled, you switch between them by tapping the globe icon in the bottom left corner of the keyboard. Each tap cycles to the next keyboard in your list. If you have many keyboards, hold down the globe icon and a menu appears showing all of them — tap the one you want to use.

On some keyboards, the globe icon appears in a different location or may be labeled differently. On emoji keyboards, for example, you may see a smiley face instead. The behavior is the same: tap or hold to see your other options. You can switch keyboards in any app that uses text input — Messages, Mail, Notes, search bars, and so on.

Removing Keyboards You Don't Use

If you've added keyboards you no longer need, remove them to keep your keyboard switcher clean. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Edit in the top left. Red minus signs appear next to each keyboard. Tap the minus sign next to any keyboard you want to remove, then tap Delete.

You must keep at least one keyboard enabled at all times — you cannot remove all of them. If you try to delete your last remaining keyboard, the Delete button won't appear. The standard English keyboard cannot be removed, though you can remove any language keyboards you've added.

Fixing Common Keyboard Problems

If a third-party keyboard stops working or behaves strangely, the first step is to disable it and re-enable it. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit, remove the keyboard by swiping left and tapping Delete, then add it again by tapping Add New Keyboard. This often fixes minor glitches.

If a keyboard is slow or unresponsive, check whether it has Full Access enabled. Some keyboards need this permission to work properly. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > [Keyboard Name] and toggle on "Allow Full Access" if it's off. If the problem persists, try restarting your iPhone. If you're still having trouble, uninstall the keyboard app entirely from your home screen, restart your phone, and reinstall it from the App Store.

Customizing Keyboard Behavior and Appearance

You can adjust how your keyboard looks and behaves in Settings > General > Keyboard. Tap Keyboard Settings to find options like key click sounds, haptic feedback (vibration when you tap keys), and whether autocorrect is on. You can also turn on or off predictive text, which shows word suggestions above the keyboard as you type.

For third-party keyboards, customization options vary by app. Open the keyboard app itself (not Settings) to find its own settings menu. Gboard, for example, lets you change the theme, enable gesture typing, and adjust sound and vibration. SwiftKey lets you customize the layout and add custom shortcuts. Check the app's settings to see what options are available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple keyboards at the same time?

Yes. You can have as many keyboards enabled as you want and switch between them while typing. There's no limit to how many you can add, though having too many can make the keyboard switcher harder to navigate.

What does "Allow Full Access" mean for third-party keyboards?

Full Access lets a third-party keyboard see what you type so it can learn your patterns and provide better autocorrect and suggestions. It also lets the keyboard access custom dictionaries and other features. You can revoke this permission at any time in Settings, though the keyboard may not work as well without it.

Why isn't my third-party keyboard showing up after I installed it?

Make sure you opened the app at least once after downloading it. Then go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and tap Add New Keyboard. If it still doesn't appear, restart your iPhone and try again. If the problem continues, uninstall the app and reinstall it from the App Store.

Can I set a default keyboard so I don't have to switch every time?

iOS doesn't have a default keyboard setting. The keyboard you used last is the one that appears when you open a text field. If you want to use a specific keyboard most of the time, just switch to it and keep using it — it will stay active until you switch to a different one.

Is it safe to use third-party keyboards?

Third-party keyboards can see everything you type while using them. Before enabling one, read its privacy policy to understand how your data is handled. Stick to keyboards from well-known companies or those with good reviews. You can always switch back to Apple's keyboard if you're uncomfortable with a third-party option.