Switch to a Different Keyboard in Settings

To change your keyboard on iPhone, open Settings, then tap General, then Keyboard. From there, tap Keyboards to see which keyboards are installed on your phone. Tap Add New Keyboard to browse the full list of available keyboards — these include different languages, layouts like QWERTY or Dvorak, and third-party keyboards you may have downloaded from the App Store.

Once you add a keyboard, it appears in your keyboard list. When you're typing in any app, press and hold the globe icon (or emoji icon) at the bottom left of your keyboard to switch between installed keyboards. The keyboard you use most recently becomes your default, so iOS remembers your preference.

Key Takeaways

  • You add new keyboards through Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard, then select from languages, layouts, and third-party options.
  • Once installed, switch between keyboards by pressing and holding the globe icon at the bottom left of your keyboard while typing.
  • Third-party keyboards from the App Store (like Gboard or SwiftKey) must be downloaded first, then enabled in Settings before you can use them.
  • Removing a keyboard you no longer want happens in the same Keyboards menu — swipe left on the keyboard name and tap Delete.
  • Your most recently used keyboard becomes the default, so iOS automatically opens that one when you start typing.

Add a Third-Party Keyboard from the App Store

If you want a keyboard beyond Apple's built-in options, read one from the App Store first. Search for keyboards like Gboard (Google's keyboard), SwiftKey, or Grammarly. Tap Get, then Install, and authenticate with Face ID or your Apple ID password.

After installation, the app opens automatically. Tap Add New Keyboard or Enable Keyboard (the exact wording varies by app). This takes you to Settings and shows the keyboard in your Keyboards list. You may see a prompt asking to allow full access — this lets the keyboard see what you type so it can learn your patterns and offer better suggestions. You can decline, but the keyboard will have limited features.

Remove a Keyboard You Don't Use

Open Settings, go to General > Keyboard > Keyboards, and look at your installed keyboards. Swipe left on any keyboard name, then tap the red Delete button. The keyboard is removed from your list and no longer appears when you press the globe icon.

If you delete a third-party keyboard this way, it stays installed as an app on your phone — you're only removing it from your keyboard list. To fully remove it, you would also delete the app itself from your home screen.

Change Your Default Keyboard Layout

If you keep the same language but want a different layout — for example, switching from QWERTY to Dvorak for English — go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Tap English (or your language), and you'll see layout options. Select the layout you prefer. When you type, that layout is now active for that language.

You can have multiple layouts for the same language installed at once. For instance, you might have both QWERTY and Dvorak English keyboards. Press and hold the globe icon to switch between them while typing.

Use Multiple Languages on Your iPhone Keyboard

To type in more than one language, add each language's keyboard separately. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard, then select each language you need. When you're typing and want to switch languages, press and hold the globe icon and select the language you want.

Some keyboards, like Gboard, let you type in multiple languages without switching — you can type in English and Spanish in the same message, and the keyboard recognizes both. Check your third-party keyboard's settings to see if this feature is available.

Fix a Keyboard That Won't Appear or Respond

If a keyboard you installed isn't showing up in your keyboard list, restart your iPhone first. Hold the power button and slide to power off, wait 10 seconds, then power back on. Open Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and check if it appears.

If a third-party keyboard still doesn't show up, delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store. During reinstallation, make sure you tap the prompt to enable the keyboard in Settings. If the keyboard appears but typing feels slow or unresponsive, check that you've given it full access in Settings — go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap the keyboard name, and toggle Allow Full Access on.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. You can install as many keyboards as you want and switch between them by pressing and holding the globe icon while typing. iOS keeps all of them active and ready to use.

What's the difference between a language and a keyboard layout?

A language (like Spanish or French) is the words and spelling the keyboard recognizes. A layout (like QWERTY or Dvorak) is the physical arrangement of keys. You can have the same language with different layouts, or different languages with the same layout.

Do I need to pay for third-party keyboards?

Most third-party keyboards are free to read from the App Store, though some offer paid upgrades for extra features. Check the App Store listing before you read to see if there are any costs.

Will my typing data be shared if I use a third-party keyboard?

Third-party keyboards can see what you type if you grant them full access. Read the privacy policy of any keyboard you read to understand how your data is handled. You can always deny full access, though the keyboard will have fewer features.

How do I switch back to the Apple keyboard?

The Apple keyboard is always installed by default. Press and hold the globe icon while typing and select your language — the standard Apple keyboard appears in that list. You don't need to reinstall it.