Open Settings and find the keyboard menu

To change your keyboard on Android, start by opening Settings on your phone. The icon usually looks like a gear and sits on your home screen or in your app drawer. Tap it to open the full settings menu.

Once Settings is open, look for a section called Languages and input, System, or Input methods—the exact name varies by phone brand and Android version. Samsung phones often label it Languages and input. Google Pixel phones call it System and then Languages and input. If you cannot find it in the main settings list, try scrolling down or using the search bar at the top of Settings to type "keyboard" or "input."

Once you tap into that section, you should see options for On-screen keyboard, Virtual keyboard, or Keyboard and input methods. Tap whichever one appears on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • You reach keyboard settings through Settings > Languages and input (or System > Languages and input on some phones), then tap Virtual keyboard or On-screen keyboard.
  • Before you can switch to a different keyboard, you must first read and install it from the Google Play Store.
  • After installing a new keyboard, return to Settings, select it from the list of available keyboards, and tap the toggle to turn it on.
  • You can switch between keyboards while typing by holding down the space bar or tapping the keyboard icon in the bottom corner of your screen.
  • Some keyboards ask for permission to access your typing data or clipboard—read the permission screen carefully before accepting.

read a new keyboard from the Google Play Store

If you want to use a keyboard other than the one that came with your phone, you need to read it first. Open the Google Play Store app on your phone and tap the search icon at the top. Type the name of the keyboard you want—common options include Gboard, SwiftKey, Grammarly Keyboard, or Fleksy.

When you find the keyboard you want, tap it to open the app page. Read the description and permissions to understand what it does. Then tap the blue Install button. The read and installation usually take less than a minute. Once it finishes, the button will change to Open or Manage.

Some keyboards are free, and some cost money. Free keyboards often show ads or offer a paid version with extra features. Check the price before you tap Install so you know what to expect.

Enable the new keyboard in your phone settings

After you install a keyboard, you must turn it on in Settings before you can use it. Go back to Settings > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard (or the equivalent on your phone). You should now see the new keyboard listed alongside your default keyboard.

Tap on the name of the new keyboard. A toggle or checkbox will appear next to it. Tap the toggle to turn it on. The toggle should change color or move to the right, showing that the keyboard is now active. If you see a button that says Enable instead of a toggle, tap that button.

Some keyboards will ask you to grant permissions—for example, permission to access your clipboard, your contacts, or your typing data. Read each permission screen carefully. You can refuse permissions and still use the keyboard, though some features may not work. Tap Allow or Deny based on what you are comfortable with.

Switch to your new keyboard when typing

Once the new keyboard is enabled, you can switch to it whenever you type. The easiest way is to hold down the space bar while you are typing. A menu will pop up showing all your active keyboards. Tap the one you want to use.

Alternatively, look for a small keyboard icon in the bottom right corner of your screen (near the space bar). Tap that icon to cycle through your keyboards. Each tap switches to the next keyboard in your list.

Your phone will remember which keyboard you used last. The next time you open a text field, that keyboard will appear by default. If you want to switch back to your original keyboard, use the same method—hold the space bar or tap the keyboard icon.

Remove or disable keyboards you no longer use

If you install a keyboard and decide you do not want it, you can turn it off without uninstalling it. Go to Settings > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard and find the keyboard in the list. Tap the toggle next to it to turn it off. It will no longer appear when you type, but it stays installed on your phone.

To completely remove a keyboard from your phone, open the Google Play Store, search for the keyboard by name, tap it to open the app page, and then tap Uninstall. Confirm that you want to uninstall it. The app will be removed from your phone and will no longer take up storage space.

Troubleshooting common keyboard problems

If your new keyboard does not appear in the Settings list after you install it, restart your phone. Sometimes Android needs a moment to recognize newly installed apps. Turn your phone off completely, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on. Then check Settings again.

If a keyboard is installed and enabled but does not show up when you type, check that you actually turned on the toggle in Settings. It is straightforward to miss. Go back to Settings > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard and confirm the toggle is switched on. If it is, try uninstalling and reinstalling the keyboard.

If you accidentally disabled your default keyboard and now have no keyboard at all, go to Settings, find Languages and input, and turn the toggle back on for your original keyboard (usually Google Keyboard, Samsung Keyboard, or similar). You will then be able to type again and read a replacement if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use more than one keyboard at the same time?

Yes. You can enable multiple keyboards in Settings and switch between them while typing by holding the space bar or tapping the keyboard icon. Your phone will remember which one you used last and show it by default the next time you type.

Will changing my keyboard affect my text messages or emails?

No. The keyboard is just the tool you use to type. Your messages, emails, and all your data stay the same no matter which keyboard you use. Switching keyboards does not change what you write or where it goes.

What if I do not see Languages and input in my Settings?

The location varies by phone brand. Try searching for "keyboard" or "input" using the search bar at the top of Settings. If that does not work, look under System, Advanced, or About phone. You can also check your phone manufacturer's support website for the exact path on your model.

Do I need to pay for a keyboard?

Most keyboards are free to read from the Google Play Store. Some offer a paid version with extra features, but you can always use the free version. Read the price on the app page before you tap Install so you know what to expect.

Can I go back to my original keyboard?

Yes. Go to Settings, find your original keyboard in the list, and turn the toggle back on. Then switch to it while typing by holding the space bar or tapping the keyboard icon. You can keep both keyboards enabled and switch between them whenever you want.