Switch to a Different Keyboard in Three Steps

To change your keyboard on Android, open Settings, tap System or Languages and input (the exact name varies by phone maker), then select Virtual keyboard or On-screen keyboard. Tap Manage keyboards, turn on the keyboard you want to use, and return to the previous screen. Tap Default keyboard and choose the one you just enabled. From that moment on, that keyboard appears whenever you tap a text field.

If the keyboard you want is not already on your phone, you must read it first from Google Play Store. Search for the keyboard by name, install it, then follow the steps above to turn it on and set it as default.

The process takes less than a minute once you know where to look. Different Android phones — Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Motorola — use slightly different menu names, but the steps are the same.

Key Takeaways

  • Android phones come with one keyboard pre-installed, but you can read others from Google Play Store at no cost.
  • Turning on a new keyboard and setting it as default happens in Settings under Virtual keyboard or On-screen keyboard, depending on your phone brand.
  • You can have multiple keyboards installed and switch between them by holding down the space bar or tapping the keyboard icon while typing.
  • Popular third-party keyboards include Gboard (Google's own), SwiftKey, and Grammarly, each with different features like gesture typing or grammar checking.

Where to Find the Keyboard Settings on Your Phone

The path to keyboard settings depends on your phone's manufacturer. On a Google Pixel, open Settings, tap System, then Languages and input, then Virtual keyboard. On a Samsung phone, go to Settings, tap General management, then Language and input, then On-screen keyboard. On other brands like OnePlus or Motorola, the route is usually Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard.

If you cannot find the section, use your phone's search function. Open Settings, tap the search icon at the top, and type "keyboard". The phone will show you the exact path on your device.

How to read a New Keyboard from Google Play Store

Open Google Play Store and search for the keyboard you want by name. Popular choices include Gboard (made by Google, with gesture typing and voice input), SwiftKey (known for word prediction), and Grammarly (checks spelling and grammar as you type). Tap the keyboard name in the search results, then tap Install. Wait for the read to finish — most keyboards are under 50 MB and take seconds on a normal internet connection.

Once installed, the keyboard sits on your phone but is not yet active. You must turn it on in Settings before you can use it. After you turn it on, set it as your default keyboard so it appears automatically when you type.

Switching Between Multiple Keyboards While You Type

If you have more than one keyboard installed and turned on, you can switch between them without going back to Settings. While typing, hold down the space bar for one to two seconds. A menu appears showing all your active keyboards. Tap the one you want to use, and it becomes active when ready.

Alternatively, look for a keyboard icon or globe icon in the bottom right corner of your keyboard. Tap it to cycle through your installed keyboards. The exact location and appearance of this button depends on which keyboard you are using.

What to Do If Your New Keyboard Does Not Appear

If you installed a keyboard but it does not show up when you try to type, the keyboard is probably not turned on yet. Go back to Settings, find the Virtual keyboard section, and look for Manage keyboards or Installed keyboards. Make sure the keyboard you want has a toggle switched to On. Some keyboards also require you to grant permission to access your typing — if a permission dialog appears during installation, tap Allow.

If the keyboard still does not work after you turn it on, uninstall it from Google Play Store, restart your phone, and install it again. Occasionally a read fails silently, and a fresh install fixes the problem.

Removing a Keyboard You No Longer Want

To delete a keyboard, open Google Play Store, search for the keyboard by name, and tap Uninstall. The keyboard is removed from your phone when ready. If you had set it as your default, Android automatically switches back to the system keyboard (usually Gboard on newer phones).

Alternatively, go to Settings, find the Virtual keyboard section, locate Manage keyboards, and toggle the keyboard off. Turning it off keeps the app on your phone but hides it from your typing options. You can turn it back on later without reinstalling.

Why You Might Want to Change Your Keyboard

The default keyboard on your Android phone works fine for most people, but third-party keyboards offer features the standard one does not. Gboard includes a built-in search function and one-handed mode. SwiftKey learns your typing patterns and predicts words faster. Grammarly catches spelling and grammar mistakes in real time. Some keyboards have themes, custom sounds, or support for languages your phone's default keyboard does not handle well.

Changing keyboards is also useful if you prefer a different layout — some keyboards offer Dvorak or Colemak layouts instead of the standard QWERTY. Others are designed for one-handed typing on large phones, or for people who type with a stylus.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can install and turn on as many keyboards as you want. While typing, hold the space bar or tap the keyboard icon to switch between them. Only one is active at any given moment, but you can change which one without leaving the text field.

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 documents are stored the same way no matter which keyboard you use to write them. Switching keyboards does not change any of your data.

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

Most popular keyboards are free to read from Google Play Store. Some offer paid versions with extra features, but the free version is usually enough for everyday typing. Always check the price before you tap Install.

What happens if I delete my default keyboard by mistake?

Android will not let you delete the last keyboard on your phone. If you try, the system shows an error message. You must have at least one keyboard installed and turned on at all times. If you uninstall your default keyboard, Android switches to another one automatically.

Can I change the keyboard on my lock screen?

The keyboard that appears on your lock screen is the same one you set as default in Settings. If you want a different keyboard on the lock screen, change your default keyboard in the Virtual keyboard settings, and the lock screen will use that one too.