The fastest way to switch keyboards on Android
To change your Android keyboard, go to Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard or On-screen keyboard. Tap Manage keyboards, turn on the keyboard you want to use, then return to the same menu and select Default keyboard. Choose the keyboard you just enabled. The exact menu names vary slightly by phone maker — Samsung calls it Input methods, for example — but the path is the same.
If the keyboard you want isn't installed yet, you'll need to read it first from the Google Play Store. Search for the keyboard by name, install it, then follow the steps above to make it your default.
Key Takeaways
- Most Android phones let you switch keyboards through Settings > Languages and input, though Samsung and other manufacturers use slightly different menu names.
- You must enable a keyboard before you can set it as default — turning it on and setting it as default are two separate steps.
- Keyboards not built into your phone must be downloaded from the Google Play Store before you can use them.
- Once you set a keyboard as default, it will appear every time you tap a text field, but you can switch between enabled keyboards on the fly by long-pressing the space bar.
Finding the keyboard settings on your phone
The location of keyboard settings depends on your phone's manufacturer. On most Android phones, open Settings and look for System, then Languages and input. From there, tap Virtual keyboard or On-screen keyboard. You should see a list of installed keyboards.
On Samsung phones, the path is Settings > General management > Language and input > On-screen keyboard or Input methods. On Google Pixel phones, it's Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard. If you can't find the menu, search for "keyboard" in your Settings app — most phones have a search bar at the top.
Enabling a keyboard you already have installed
Once you're in the keyboard settings menu, look for Manage keyboards or All keyboards. You'll see a list of keyboards that came with your phone or that you've downloaded. Next to each one is a toggle switch. Tap the toggle to turn on the keyboard you want to use.
Turning on a keyboard doesn't make it your default — it just makes it available. After you enable it, go back to the previous menu and look for Default keyboard or Current keyboard. Tap it and select the keyboard you just enabled. That keyboard will now appear whenever you tap a text field.
Downloading a new keyboard from Google Play Store
If the keyboard you want isn't on your phone, you need to read it first. Open the Google Play Store app and search for the keyboard by name — popular options include Gboard, SwiftKey, Grammarly Keyboard, and Fleksy. Tap the result, then tap Install. Wait for the read to finish.
After installation, you may see a prompt asking you to enable the keyboard. Tap Enable if it appears. If not, follow the steps in the section above to enable it manually in your keyboard settings, then set it as your default.
Switching between keyboards without changing your default
If you have multiple keyboards enabled, you can switch between them without going back to Settings. When you're typing, long-press the space bar. A menu will appear showing all your enabled keyboards. Tap the one you want to use for that moment. Your default keyboard will still be the one that appears next time you open a text field.
This is useful if you want to keep one keyboard as your everyday choice but occasionally use another one — for example, using a specialized keyboard for a different language without changing your default.
Removing keyboards you don't use
If you have keyboards installed that you never use, you can turn them off to reduce clutter. Go back to Settings > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard > Manage keyboards. Find the keyboard you want to remove and tap its toggle to turn it off. The keyboard stays installed on your phone but won't appear in your switcher menu.
If you want to completely uninstall a keyboard you downloaded, go to Settings > Apps, find the keyboard in the list, and tap Uninstall. Built-in keyboards usually can't be uninstalled, only disabled.
Troubleshooting keyboards that won't appear
If you installed a keyboard but it doesn't show up in your keyboard list, restart your phone first. Sometimes the Play Store needs a moment to register the new app. After restarting, go back to your keyboard settings and check if it appears.
If it still doesn't show up, open the Play Store and search for the keyboard again. Tap it and look for an Enable button instead of Install — this means it's installed but not turned on. Tap Enable, then go back to your keyboard settings and set it as default. If you see an Update button instead, the keyboard may need an update before it works. Tap Update and wait for it to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use two keyboards at the same time?
You can have multiple keyboards enabled and switch between them, but only one can be your default. When you long-press the space bar while typing, you can pick a different keyboard for that moment. Your default keyboard will appear again the next time you open a text field.
Why does my new keyboard keep disappearing from the list?
If a keyboard you installed vanishes from your keyboard settings, it may have been disabled by a system update or by your phone's security software. Go to Settings > Apps, search for the keyboard by name, and check if it says Disabled. If it does, tap it and select Enable. Then return to your keyboard settings and turn it on again.
What's the difference between enabling a keyboard and setting it as default?
Enabling a keyboard makes it available to use and adds it to your switcher menu. Setting it as default makes it the keyboard that appears automatically when you tap a text field. You must enable a keyboard before you can set it as default.
Can I get my old keyboard back if I switch to a new one?
Yes. Go back to your keyboard settings, enable the keyboard you want to use again, and set it as your default. If you uninstalled it completely, read it from the Play Store first, then enable it.