Switch Between Built-In Keyboards

iPad comes with several keyboard layouts already installed. To switch between them, open any app where you type — Notes, Mail, or Messages work well. Tap the text field to bring up the keyboard, then look for the globe icon at the bottom left of the keyboard, just to the left of the spacebar.

Press and hold the globe icon. A menu will pop up showing every keyboard language and layout you have turned on. Tap the one you want to use. The keyboard will switch when ready. If you only see one option in that menu, you have only one keyboard layout enabled — you'll need to add more in Settings first.

You can also tap the globe icon once to cycle through your keyboards one at a time, though holding it to see the full list is faster if you have three or more.

Key Takeaways

  • The globe icon at the bottom left of your keyboard lets you switch between any keyboard layout you have turned on.
  • You must add a keyboard in Settings before you can use it — the built-in keyboards won't appear in the switcher unless you enable them first.
  • Third-party keyboard apps like Gboard or SwiftKey can be downloaded from the App Store and set as your default keyboard in Settings.
  • Switching keyboards takes two taps: Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap "Add New Keyboard" to see what's available.
  • Some third-party keyboards need permission to access your typing data — review what each one asks for before you enable it.

Add a New Keyboard Layout in Settings

Open the Settings app and go to General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Tap "Add New Keyboard" at the bottom of the list. You'll see every keyboard language and layout available on your iPad — English (US), English (UK), Spanish, French, Arabic, Japanese, and many others.

Tap the one you want to add. It will appear in your Keyboards list when ready. You can add as many as you want. Each one will now show up when you hold the globe icon on your keyboard.

If you want to remove a keyboard you no longer use, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap "Edit" in the top right, then tap the red minus sign next to the keyboard name and confirm.

Install and Use a Third-Party Keyboard App

iPad also lets you use keyboard apps from the App Store instead of the built-in ones. Popular options include Gboard (Google's keyboard), SwiftKey, and Fleksy. Each offers different features like gesture typing, emoji search, or custom themes.

read the keyboard app from the App Store like you would any other app. Open it and follow the setup instructions — most will direct you to Settings automatically. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and tap "Add New Keyboard." Find the app's keyboard in the list and tap it to enable it.

Once enabled, the third-party keyboard will appear in your globe icon menu. Tap it to switch to that keyboard. Note that third-party keyboards may ask for permission to access your typing data or contacts — review what each one requests before you turn it on.

Set a Third-Party Keyboard as Your Default

If you want a third-party keyboard to appear by default instead of Apple's, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Tap "Edit" in the top right corner. Press and hold the three horizontal lines next to the keyboard you want to move to the top, then drag it above the others. The keyboard at the top of the list will be the one that appears first when you start typing.

You can still switch to other keyboards using the globe icon — moving one to the top just changes which one loads when you open a new text field.

Troubleshoot a Keyboard That Won't Appear

If you added a keyboard but it doesn't show up in the globe icon menu, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and make sure it's in the list. If it's not there, tap "Add New Keyboard" and select it again.

If a third-party keyboard app won't turn on, check that you gave it permission. Go to Settings > [App Name] and look for a toggle labeled "Allow Full Access" or similar. Some keyboards need this permission to work. If the toggle is off, turn it on and try the keyboard again.

If your keyboard keeps switching back to the default one, restart your iPad. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or down from the top right on newer models) to close all apps, wait a few seconds, then swipe up again to return to the home screen.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts and Text Replacement

Beyond switching keyboards, you can customize how you type using text replacement. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. Tap the plus sign to create a shortcut — for example, type "omw" and have it expand to "On my way."

This works across all your keyboards and apps. When you type the shortcut, iPad will suggest the full text and you can tap it to insert it. This is faster than switching keyboards if you only need a few special characters or phrases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple keyboards at the same time?

Yes. You can enable as many keyboards as you want in Settings, and switch between them using the globe icon. Each one stays active until you remove it from your Keyboards list.

Why does my third-party keyboard keep disappearing?

Third-party keyboards sometimes turn off if you restart your iPad or if the app updates. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and check that it's still in the list and enabled. If it's gone, tap "Add New Keyboard" and turn it back on.

Do I need to pay for a third-party keyboard?

Many keyboard apps are free to read, though some offer paid versions with extra features. Check the App Store listing before you read to see if there are any costs.

What's the difference between a keyboard layout and a keyboard app?

A keyboard layout is a different arrangement of the same keys — like QWERTY versus Dvorak, or English versus Spanish. A keyboard app is a completely different program that replaces Apple's keyboard with its own design and features.

Can I undo a keyboard change if I don't like it?

Yes. Hold the globe icon and tap the keyboard you want to go back to. If you want to remove a keyboard entirely, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap "Edit," and tap the red minus sign next to it.