How to Change Your Keyboard Language on Windows, Mac, and Mobile Devices

Change your keyboard language in Settings

The fastest way to switch keyboard languages is through your device's Settings menu. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, then select "Add a language" and choose the one you want. On Mac, open System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, click the plus sign, and pick your language. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap "Add New Keyboard," and select your language. On Android, open Settings > System > Languages & Input > On-screen Keyboard, select your keyboard app, and add the language there.

Once you add a language, you can switch between them without opening Settings again. Most devices let you toggle languages using a keyboard shortcut (usually Control + Space on Windows, Control + Option + Space on Mac, or a globe icon on mobile) or by tapping a language indicator on your screen.

Key Takeaways

Windows users add languages through Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, then switch using Control + Space.
Mac users go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, add a language, and toggle with Control + Option + Space.
iPhone users add keyboards in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap the globe icon to switch.
Android users add languages through their keyboard app settings, usually found in Settings > System > Languages & Input.
You can add multiple languages and switch between them when ready without restarting your device.

Windows: Step-by-step setup

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app. Select "Time & Language" on the left side. Click "Language & Region," then scroll down and click "Add a language." A dropdown menu appears with hundreds of languages listed alphabetically. Find and click the language you want—for example, "Spanish (Spain)" or "French (Canada)"—then click "Next."

Windows asks which features you want for that language. You can install the full language pack (which includes spell-check and voice typing) or just the keyboard layout. Click "Install" and wait for the read to finish. Once installed, you'll see your new language listed under "Preferred languages." To make it your default, click and drag it to the top of the list.

To switch between languages while typing, press Control + Space. A small menu appears showing your available keyboards. Click the one you want, or press Control + Space again to cycle through them. You can also click the language indicator in your system tray (bottom right corner) to switch.

Mac: Step-by-step setup

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select "System Settings." Click "Keyboard" in the sidebar, then click "Input Sources." You'll see a list of your current keyboards. Click the plus sign (+) at the bottom left to add a new one. A window opens showing all available languages and keyboard layouts.

Scroll through the list or type the name of your language in the search box. Click your language, then click "Add." The new keyboard now appears in your Input Sources list. If you want it to be your default, click and drag it to the top. You can also check the box next to "Show Input menu in menu bar" so you can see which keyboard is active.

To switch keyboards, press Control + Option + Space, or click the flag or language icon in the menu bar at the top right and select your keyboard. You can also set up a different shortcut: in Input Sources, click "Options" and choose your preferred key combination.

iPhone: Step-by-step setup

Open Settings and tap "General." Scroll down and tap "Keyboard," then tap "Keyboards." You'll see your current keyboard listed. Tap "Add New Keyboard" at the bottom. A list of languages appears. Scroll to find your language and tap it. Some languages offer multiple keyboard layouts—for example, Spanish has "Spanish," "Spanish (Latin America)," and "Spanish (Catalan)." Tap the one you want.

Your new keyboard is now added. To switch between keyboards while typing, look for the globe icon on your keyboard (usually in the bottom left). Tap it once to switch to your next keyboard, or hold it down to see all your keyboards and pick one. The current keyboard name appears briefly on the spacebar when you switch.

If you want to remove a keyboard you no longer use, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, swipe left on the keyboard name, and tap "Delete."

Android: Step-by-step setup

Open Settings and tap "System" (or "Languages & Input" if your phone shows it directly). Tap "Languages & Input," then tap "On-screen Keyboard" or "Virtual Keyboard." You'll see your current keyboard app listed—usually Google Keyboard, Samsung Keyboard, or another option. Tap the one you use most often. Inside that app's settings, look for "Languages," "Input Languages," or "Keyboard Languages."

Tap that option and you'll see a list of available languages. Tap the plus sign or "Add Language" to add a new one. Select your language from the list. Once added, it appears in your active keyboards. Some Android keyboards show a language indicator on the spacebar; tap it to switch between languages. Others use a dedicated language key or require you to long-press the spacebar.

The exact steps vary depending on which keyboard app you use. If you use Google Keyboard (Gboard), the process is the same: Settings > System > Languages & Input > On-screen Keyboard > Gboard > Languages, then add your language. If you use a different keyboard, check its settings menu for a "Languages" or "Input Languages" option.

Switching between languages while typing

Once you've added multiple keyboards, switching is when ready and doesn't interrupt your typing. On Windows, Control + Space cycles through your keyboards in the order you set them. On Mac, Control + Option + Space does the same. On both systems, you can also click the language indicator in your system tray or menu bar to pick a specific keyboard without cycling.

On iPhone and Android, the globe icon on your keyboard is the quickest way to switch. Tap it once to go to your next keyboard, or hold it to see all your options at once. The keyboard layout changes when ready—your keys now show characters for the new language. If you're typing in a language with accents or special characters, the keyboard automatically shows those options when relevant.

A common mistake is adding a language but forgetting to switch to it before typing. If your text comes out in the wrong characters, check which keyboard is currently active (look at the language indicator) and switch before you continue.

Removing or reorganizing your keyboards

If you add a language you don't use, you can remove it without affecting your other keyboards. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, find the language you want to remove, click it, and select "Remove." On Mac, open System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, click the language you want to remove, and click the minus sign (−) at the bottom left.

You can also reorder your keyboards so your most-used language is first. On Windows and Mac, click and drag languages up or down in the list. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap "Edit," then drag the three-line icon next to each keyboard to reorder them. On Android, the order depends on your keyboard app—check its settings for a reorder option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple keyboard languages at the same time?

Yes. You can add as many languages as you want and switch between them when ready. Your device remembers all of them, and you can toggle between any two (or more) without restarting or reinstalling anything. The keyboard layout changes the moment you switch.

What's the difference between adding a language and installing a language pack?

Adding a language gives you the keyboard layout so you can type in that language. Installing a full language pack also includes spell-check, autocorrect, voice typing, and system translations. On Windows, you can choose which one you want when you add a language. On Mac and mobile devices, the keyboard is usually all you need.

Why does my keyboard show the wrong characters after I switch languages?

This usually means the keyboard layout didn't switch, or you switched to the wrong one. Check your language indicator (in the system tray, menu bar, or on your keyboard) to see which layout is active. Switch to the correct language and try again. If the problem persists, restart your device.

Can I set a different keyboard shortcut for switching languages?

Yes, on Windows and Mac. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Keyboard > Advanced Keyboard Settings and look for "Input language hot keys." On Mac, open System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, click "Options," and choose your preferred shortcut. On iPhone and Android, you can only use the globe icon or your keyboard app's built-in switcher.

Do I need internet to add a new keyboard language?

On Windows and Mac, you need internet to read the language pack, but only the first time. After that, you can switch between languages offline. On iPhone and Android, you also need internet to read the language initially, but switching between them afterward works without a connection.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.