You can change your Android keyboard in Settings in under a minute

Android lets you install multiple keyboards and switch between them whenever you want. The process is the same on most Android phones: you read a new keyboard from the Google Play Store, turn it on in Settings, and then select it when you need it. You can switch back to your default keyboard just as easily. Some keyboards stay active in the background; others you pick each time you open a text field.

The exact steps depend on which Android version your phone runs and which keyboard you want to use, but the core method works the same way across all recent Android devices.

Key Takeaways

  • You must read a keyboard app from Google Play Store before you can use it, and then enable it in Settings under Languages and Input or Input Methods.
  • After enabling a keyboard, you can set it as your default so it opens automatically, or switch to it manually each time you type.
  • Common third-party keyboards include Gboard (Google's own keyboard), SwiftKey, and Grammarly, all available free in the Play Store.
  • You can have multiple keyboards installed and active at the same time, and switch between them without uninstalling anything.
  • If a keyboard stops working or you want to remove it, you can disable it in Settings or uninstall it from the Play Store.

read a new keyboard from Google Play Store

Open the Google Play Store app on your phone. Search for the keyboard you want — Gboard, SwiftKey, and Grammarly are the most common choices. Tap the app name, then tap Install. Wait for the read to finish.

You do not need to open the keyboard app after installing it. The app itself is just a container; the actual keyboard is a system component that lives in your phone's input settings. Once the install is complete, move to the next step.

Enable the keyboard in Settings

Open Settings on your phone. Look for Languages and Input, Input Methods, or System — the exact name varies by phone brand and Android version. Tap it.

You should see a list of keyboards. Find the one you just installed and tap it. A toggle or checkbox will appear; turn it on. Some phones show a button that says Enable instead. Tap that. The keyboard is now active on your phone.

If you do not see the keyboard listed, go back to the Play Store, find the app, and make sure the install finished. Sometimes the list does not refresh when ready; close Settings and reopen it.

Set it as your default keyboard (optional)

If you want the new keyboard to open automatically whenever you type, you can set it as the default. Go back to Settings > Languages and Input (or Input Methods). Look for an option called Default Keyboard, Current Keyboard, or Keyboard. Tap it and select the keyboard you want to use by default.

If you do not set a default, Android will ask you which keyboard to use the first time you tap a text field. You can pick a different one each time, or always choose the same one. Either way works.

Switch between keyboards while typing

Once a keyboard is enabled, you can switch to it without changing your default. When you tap a text field, look for a keyboard icon or globe icon in the bottom left or right corner of the keyboard. Tap it. A list of your active keyboards will appear. Select the one you want to use.

This method is useful if you have two or three keyboards installed and want to use different ones for different apps or situations. You stay in the same text field; the keyboard just changes underneath.

Disable or remove a keyboard you no longer want

If you want to turn off a keyboard without uninstalling it, go to Settings > Languages and Input > find the keyboard and toggle it off. It will no longer appear in your keyboard list, but the app stays on your phone.

To remove it completely, open the Google Play Store, search for the keyboard app, tap it, and tap Uninstall. The app and keyboard will both be removed from your phone. You can reinstall it anytime.

Troubleshooting keyboards that do not work

If a keyboard is enabled but does not appear when you tap a text field, restart your phone. Sometimes the system does not register a newly enabled keyboard until you reboot.

If the keyboard appears but typing feels slow or lags, close other apps running in the background. Some keyboards use more memory than others, especially if they have autocorrect or prediction features turned on. You can also check the keyboard app's settings — most have options to turn off features that slow them down.

If you accidentally set a keyboard as default and cannot find it anymore, go back to Settings and choose a different default. You can always switch back to your original keyboard by tapping the keyboard icon while typing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can enable multiple keyboards in Settings, and they will all stay active. When you tap a text field, use the keyboard icon to switch between them. You can have as many as you want installed, though having too many can clutter your keyboard switcher.

What if I cannot find Languages and Input in Settings?

The location varies by phone brand. Try searching for "keyboard" or "input" in Settings using the search bar at the top. If your phone does not have a search bar, look under System, Advanced, or Accessibility. Some Samsung phones call it Input Methods instead.

Do I lose my data if I switch keyboards?

No. Switching keyboards does not affect your messages, contacts, or any other data. It only changes which keyboard app handles your typing. Your text history and autocorrect learning may differ between keyboards, but nothing is deleted.

Why does my new keyboard not show up in the list?

The Play Store installation may not have finished. Go back to the Play Store, find the app, and check that it says Open instead of Install. If it still does not appear in Settings after a few minutes, restart your phone and check again.

Can I go back to my original keyboard?

Yes. Your phone's original keyboard (usually called Android Keyboard or Samsung Keyboard) is always installed. Enable it in Settings and set it as your default, or switch to it using the keyboard icon while typing. You can keep other keyboards installed without using them.