The fastest way to switch keyboards on iPad

You can change your iPad keyboard in two ways: switch between Apple's built-in keyboards (like QWERTY, Dvorak, or international layouts) without installing anything, or read a third-party keyboard from the App Store and enable it in Settings. The built-in method takes about 30 seconds. Adding a third-party keyboard takes a few minutes but gives you access to keyboards designed for specific languages, typing styles, or accessibility needs.

Both methods start in the same place: the Settings app on your iPad home screen. From there, the paths split depending on whether you want to use what Apple provides or bring in something new.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in keyboard layouts like QWERTY, Dvorak, and international options are already on your iPad and can be switched when ready through Settings > General > Keyboard.
  • Third-party keyboards from the App Store (like Gboard, Microsoft SwiftKey, or Grammarly) must be downloaded first, then enabled in Settings, then allowed permission to access your typing.
  • Once a keyboard is enabled, you switch between active keyboards by holding down the globe icon (or space bar) while typing and selecting the one you want.
  • Third-party keyboards can be removed at any time by disabling them in Settings, which also removes their access to your typing data.

Switching between Apple's built-in keyboard layouts

Open Settings on your home screen, then tap General. Scroll down and tap Keyboard. You will see a section called Keyboards with a list of layouts already installed on your iPad—usually QWERTY is the only one shown at first.

Tap Add New Keyboard to see the full list of Apple's built-in options. These include Dvorak (a layout that groups frequently used letters in the center), AZERTY (the French standard), QWERTZ (used in German-speaking countries), and dozens of international layouts for languages from Arabic to Vietnamese. Tap any layout to add it.

Once you have added a second keyboard, a small globe icon appears on the keyboard itself when you are typing. Press and hold that globe icon (or swipe left on the space bar) to see your active keyboards and tap the one you want. The keyboard switches when ready. You can add as many built-in layouts as you use regularly.

Installing and enabling a third-party keyboard

Third-party keyboards give you options Apple does not provide—specialized layouts for coding, one-handed typing, gesture-based input, or better support for certain languages. Popular choices include Gboard (Google's keyboard with built-in search and emoji), Microsoft SwiftKey (which learns your typing patterns), and Grammarly (which checks grammar as you type).

Open the App Store, search for the keyboard you want, and tap Get, then Install. You will be asked to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password. Once the app is installed, open Settings, go to General > Keyboard > Keyboards, and tap Add New Keyboard. The third-party keyboard will appear in the list. Tap it to add it.

After adding it, you will see the keyboard listed under your other keyboards, but it will show a toggle switch that is currently off. Tap the toggle to turn it on. A screen will appear asking you to allow the keyboard Full Access—this permission lets the keyboard see what you type so it can learn your patterns or check your grammar. You can deny this and use the keyboard with limited features, or grant it. Tap Allow or Don't Allow based on your preference.

Switching between keyboards while typing

Once you have more than one keyboard enabled, the globe icon appears on your keyboard. When you are typing in any app—Mail, Messages, Notes, a web browser—press and hold the globe icon. A menu pops up showing all your active keyboards. Tap the one you want to use. The keyboard switches when ready and stays switched until you change it again.

On some iPad models or keyboard covers, you can also swipe left on the space bar to cycle through keyboards quickly without holding the globe icon. This is faster if you switch back and forth between two keyboards often. The globe icon method works on all iPads and is the most reliable way to see your full list of available keyboards at once.

Removing a keyboard you no longer use

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Find the keyboard you want to remove and swipe left on it. A red Delete button appears. Tap it to remove the keyboard from your active list. If it is a third-party keyboard, this also revokes its permission to see your typing data.

If you want to keep the app but just stop using it as a keyboard, you can disable it instead: tap Edit in the top-left corner of the Keyboards list, then tap the minus sign next to the keyboard name, then tap Delete. The keyboard app itself stays on your iPad; you can re-enable it later without reinstalling.

Troubleshooting keyboards that do not appear or work

If you installed a third-party keyboard but it does not show up in the Keyboards list, force-close the Settings app and open it again. Sometimes the list does not refresh when ready. Go to General > Keyboard > Keyboards and look again. If the keyboard still does not appear, restart your iPad by holding the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then slide to turn off. Wait 10 seconds, then press the top button again until the Apple logo appears.

If a keyboard is enabled but does not appear when you press the globe icon, restart your iPad using the same method. Once your iPad restarts, try the keyboard again. If a third-party keyboard keeps crashing or freezing, check the App Store for an update to that keyboard app. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the App Store, scroll down to Upcoming Automatic Updates, and look for the keyboard app. If an update is available, install it. If crashes continue, delete the keyboard app and try a different one.

When to call Apple Support

If you cannot access the Keyboard settings at all, or if your iPad keyboard is physically unresponsive (not typing when you tap keys), the issue may be with your iPad itself rather than the keyboard settings. Restart your iPad first using the method described above. If the problem persists, contact Apple Support through the Support app on your iPad or visit apple.com/support to set up a call or chat with a technician.

Apple Support can also help if you are having trouble with a specific third-party keyboard that you believe is defective, or if you need help restoring your iPad to factory settings. They can walk you through these steps over the phone or through a remote session.

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 by holding the globe icon while typing. You will use only one at a time, but you can change which one is active whenever you want.

Do third-party keyboards slow down my iPad?

Not noticeably. Enabled keyboards use a small amount of memory, but modern iPads have plenty. If your iPad feels slow, it is almost never because of a keyboard. Disable keyboards you do not use regularly to keep your Settings cleaner.

Can I use a Bluetooth keyboard instead of the on-screen keyboard?

Yes. Pair a Bluetooth keyboard in Settings > General > Bluetooth, then turn on Bluetooth. The on-screen keyboard will still appear in some apps, but you can type using the Bluetooth keyboard instead. The on-screen keyboard settings do not affect Bluetooth keyboards.

What happens to my data if I use a third-party keyboard?

If you grant a third-party keyboard Full Access, it can see everything you type. Read the keyboard app's privacy policy before granting this permission. You can revoke Full Access at any time in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap the keyboard name and toggle off Allow Full Access.

Can I change the keyboard language without changing the keyboard layout?

Yes. In Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit Languages under any keyboard layout to add languages to that keyboard. When you are typing, you can then swipe the space bar left or right to switch languages while keeping the same layout active.