Open Settings and find the keyboard option

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. Once Settings opens, scroll down and look for System, Languages and input, or Input methods — the exact name varies by phone maker and Android version.

Tap that option. You should see a list that includes Virtual keyboard, On-screen keyboard, or Keyboard and input methods. This is where Android keeps all your keyboard choices. If you do not see it in the first Settings menu, try searching for "keyboard" using the search bar at the top of Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • You must first read a keyboard app from Google Play Store before you can switch to it in Settings.
  • The path through Settings varies by phone brand, but searching for "keyboard" will find the right menu on any Android phone.
  • After selecting a new keyboard in Settings, you need to enable it and then set it as your default in a second step.
  • You can switch between keyboards at any time by holding down the space bar while typing, or by changing your default in Settings again.

read a keyboard app from Google Play Store

Android comes with a built-in keyboard, usually called Gboard (Google's keyboard) or your phone maker's own keyboard. If you want to use a different keyboard, you must read it first from Google Play Store. Open Play Store, tap the search icon, and type the name of the keyboard you want — common choices include Swiftkey, Grammarly Keyboard, or Fleksy.

Tap the app name in the search results, then tap Install. Wait for the read to finish. You will see a checkmark or Open button when it is done. Do not open the app yet — you will set it up in Settings instead.

Enable the new keyboard in Settings

Go back to Settings and navigate to the keyboard menu you found earlier. Look for a list of installed keyboards. You should now see the keyboard you just downloaded listed there. Tap on it or look for a toggle switch next to its name, and turn it on. This tells Android that the keyboard is allowed to be used.

Some keyboards will ask for permissions at this point — for example, access to your contacts so it can suggest names, or access to your clipboard. Read what it is asking for and decide whether you are comfortable with it. You can always turn the keyboard off later if you change your mind.

Set the new keyboard as your default

Enabling a keyboard does not automatically make it the one that appears when you type. You must set it as your default. In the same Settings menu, look for an option called Default keyboard, Current keyboard, or Keyboard. Tap it and select the keyboard you want to use most of the time.

From now on, that keyboard will appear whenever you tap a text field — in messages, email, search boxes, or anywhere else you type. The change takes effect when ready, and you do not need to restart your phone.

Switch between keyboards while typing

Once you have enabled multiple keyboards, you can switch between them without going back to Settings. While you are typing, hold down the space bar for a second or two. A menu will pop up showing all your enabled keyboards. Tap the one you want to use for that moment. The keyboard will change right away.

This is useful if you prefer one keyboard for everyday typing but want to switch to another for a specific task — for example, using a keyboard with better emoji support, or one that is better at predicting text in another language.

Remove a keyboard you no longer want

If you have downloaded a keyboard and decided you do not like it, you can turn it off in Settings. Go back to the keyboard menu, find the keyboard in the list, and toggle it off. It will no longer appear as an option when you type, but the app will still be installed on your phone.

If you want to remove it completely, open Google Play Store, search for the keyboard by name, tap it, and select Uninstall. The app will be deleted from your phone. You can always read it again later if you change your mind.

Troubleshooting if your new keyboard will not appear

If you downloaded a keyboard but it does not show up in your Settings list, the read may not have finished. Open Google Play Store and check the app's page — if it says Install instead of Open, the read is still in progress. Wait a few minutes and try again.

If the keyboard is installed but you cannot enable it, restart your phone. Sometimes Android needs a restart to recognize a newly installed app. If it still does not work, try uninstalling the keyboard and downloading it again. If the problem continues, the keyboard app may not be compatible with your version of Android — check the app's page in Play Store to see what Android versions it supports.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can enable as many keyboards as you want in Settings, and they will all be available to switch between. Hold the space bar while typing to see all your enabled keyboards and pick the one you want to use in that moment.

Will changing my keyboard affect my text messages or emails?

No. The keyboard is just the tool you use to type. Your messages and emails will look the same no matter which keyboard you use to write them. The keyboard itself does not change what you send.

What if I want to go back to my original keyboard?

Go to Settings, find the keyboard menu, and set your original keyboard as the default again. If you enabled a new keyboard and want to disable it, toggle it off in the same menu. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want.

Do I need to pay for a different keyboard?

Most keyboards in Google Play Store are free, though some offer paid versions with extra features. You can read and try a free keyboard without spending money. If you decide you do not like it, uninstall it and try another one.

Why does my keyboard keep switching back to the original one?

Make sure you set your preferred keyboard as the default in Settings. If you only enabled it but did not set it as default, Android will still use your original keyboard. Go to Settings, find the default keyboard option, and select the one you want to use.