How to switch your keyboard language
You can change your keyboard language in the settings of your device — the exact steps depend on whether you use Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or a web browser. Most devices let you add multiple languages and switch between them with a keyboard shortcut or menu tap, so you don't have to change a permanent setting each time. The process takes a few minutes and doesn't require any downloads or technical knowledge.
Once you've added a second language, your device remembers it. You can switch back and forth when ready, and some devices will even let you type in both languages at once using a mixed-language keyboard.
Key Takeaways
- Windows and Mac both let you add multiple keyboard languages in Settings, then switch between them using a keyboard shortcut (usually Windows key + Space on Windows, or Control + Space on Mac).
- On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and select your language; swipe the space bar to switch between languages while typing.
- Android devices vary by manufacturer, but most use Settings > System > Languages and Input > Virtual Keyboard > Gboard, where you can add languages and switch with a globe icon.
- Once you add a language, it stays in your device's memory, so you only need to set it up once.
- If a keyboard shortcut isn't working, restart your device or check that the language pack has fully downloaded.
Changing keyboard language on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Time & Language on the left menu, then select Language & Region. Under Preferred Languages, click the Add a Language button, search for the language you want, and click Next. Windows will ask which features to install — keyboard is selected by default, so click Install.
Once the language is installed, you can switch between keyboards using Windows key + Space. Each time you press this combination, your keyboard language cycles to the next one on your list. If you want to change which language appears first or remove a language later, go back to Language & Region, click the language you want to adjust, and select Remove.
If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work, restart your computer. Sometimes Windows needs to reload its language settings before the shortcut becomes active.
Changing keyboard language on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), then go to Keyboard. Click Input Sources on the left side. Click the plus button (+) at the bottom left, find your language in the list, and click Add. You can add as many languages as you need.
To switch between keyboards while typing, press Control + Space. The keyboard language will change to the next one in your list. You can also see which keyboard is active by looking at the flag or language code in the top-right corner of your screen — click it to see all available keyboards and select one directly.
If you want to remove a language later, go back to Input Sources, click the language you want to remove, and click the minus button (−) at the bottom left.
Changing keyboard language on iPhone
Open the Settings app, go to General, then select Keyboard. Tap Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard. Scroll through the list to find the language you want and tap it. If you want to add more than one keyboard in the same language (for example, QWERTY and AZERTY French), you can tap the language again and select a different layout.
Once you've added a keyboard, you can switch between languages while typing by swiping left or right on the space bar. A small flag or language indicator appears above the space bar to show which keyboard is active. You can also hold down the space bar or the globe icon (if visible) to see all your keyboards and tap the one you want.
To remove a keyboard, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, swipe left on the keyboard you want to remove, and tap Delete.
Changing keyboard language on Android
The steps vary slightly depending on your phone's manufacturer and which keyboard app you use. Most Android phones come with Gboard (Google's keyboard). Open Settings, go to System or General Management, then select Languages and Input. Tap Virtual Keyboard or On-Screen Keyboard, then select Gboard. Tap Languages, then tap Add Keyboard. Find your language and tap it to add it.
Once you've added a language, a globe icon appears on your keyboard. Tap it to cycle through your languages, or hold it down to see all available keyboards and select one. Some Android keyboards also let you type in multiple languages at once — Gboard calls this "Multilingual Typing," and you can turn it on in the same Languages menu.
If you use a different keyboard app (like SwiftKey or Samsung Keyboard), the steps are similar but the menu names may differ. Look for a Languages or Input Languages option in that app's settings.
Changing keyboard language in web browsers
If you're typing in a web browser like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, you don't need to change your browser's settings — your device's keyboard language controls what appears on screen. Switch your device's keyboard language using the method above (Windows key + Space on Windows, Control + Space on Mac, or the space bar swipe on mobile), and the browser will type in whatever language is active.
Some websites also let you select a language from a dropdown menu at the top or bottom of the page, but this only changes the website's display language, not your keyboard. Your keyboard language remains whatever you set it to on your device.
Troubleshooting keyboard language problems
If your keyboard shortcut isn't working, the most common cause is that the language pack hasn't fully downloaded yet. Go back to your language settings and check that the language shows a green checkmark or "Installed" label. If it shows a read icon or progress bar, wait for the read to finish before trying the shortcut again.
If the shortcut still doesn't work after the language is installed, restart your device. Windows, Mac, and mobile devices all need to reload their keyboard settings after you add a new language, and a restart usually fixes this. After restarting, try the keyboard shortcut again.
On Windows, if you added a language but it doesn't appear in your keyboard list, check that you clicked Install when Windows asked which features to add. If you skipped that step, remove the language from Language & Region and add it again, making sure to select Install this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use two keyboard languages at the same time?
Yes. Gboard on Android and some Mac keyboards support multilingual typing, which lets you type in two languages without switching. On iPhone, you can add multiple keyboards and swipe the space bar to switch when ready, which is almost the same thing. On Windows, you have to use the keyboard shortcut to switch, but it only takes a second.
Will changing my keyboard language change the language of my whole device?
No. Your keyboard language is separate from your device language. You can have your device set to English and your keyboard set to Spanish, or any other combination. Changing your keyboard language only affects what you type, not menus, apps, or system messages.
What if my language isn't in the list?
Most major languages are included on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. If you don't see your language, check that you spelled it correctly or try searching for the country name instead (for example, search "China" if you're looking for Simplified Chinese). If it still doesn't appear, your device may not support that language's keyboard.
Do I have to read anything to add a new keyboard language?
No downloads are required on your part. When you add a language on Windows or Mac, the operating system downloads the language pack automatically. On mobile devices, the keyboard app handles the read. All of this happens in the background while you're in Settings.
Can I change the keyboard layout as well as the language?
Yes. When you add a language, you can usually choose the layout (QWERTY, AZERTY, QWERTZ, etc.). On iPhone and Android, tap the language and you'll see layout options. On Windows and Mac, you may need to add the same language twice with different layouts if you want both available. Check your language settings to see which layouts are offered for your language.