Where to find keyboard color settings on iPhone

iPhone keyboards come with a few built-in color options, but the settings are not where most people look first. The controls live inside Settings, not in the keyboard itself. Open Settings, then go to Display & Brightness, and look for Keyboard near the bottom of that menu. From there you can choose between Light, Dark, or Auto (which switches based on your phone's overall appearance setting).

If you do not see a Keyboard option in Display & Brightness, your iPhone model may not support this feature. iPhones running iOS 17 and later have this setting; older models have fewer keyboard appearance choices. The Auto setting is useful if you use Dark Mode at night and Light Mode during the day — your keyboard will match automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone keyboard colors are controlled in Settings > Display & Brightness > Keyboard, where you can choose Light, Dark, or Auto.
  • The Auto setting switches your keyboard appearance to match your phone's overall Light or Dark Mode setting.
  • Third-party keyboards from the App Store may have their own color and theme options inside their individual apps.
  • If you want colors beyond the standard light and dark options, a third-party keyboard app is your only choice on iPhone.
  • Changing keyboard appearance does not affect how you type or any of your keyboard shortcuts.

Using third-party keyboards for more color choices

Apple's built-in keyboard offers only light and dark themes, but third-party keyboard apps let you pick from many more colors and designs. Apps like Gboard (Google's keyboard), SwiftKey, and Chrooma each have their own color packs and customization options. You read the app from the App Store, then enable it in Settings so it becomes available when you type.

To add a third-party keyboard, open Settings, go to General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards, and tap Add New Keyboard. Find the keyboard app you want and tap it. After that, when you tap the globe icon (or long-press the space bar) while typing, you can switch between your default Apple keyboard and any third-party keyboards you have enabled.

How to enable and switch between keyboards

Once you have added a third-party keyboard, you need to give it permission to work on your phone. When you first add it, iOS will ask whether you want to allow full access. Some keyboards need full access to show custom themes or sync your typing habits; others work fine without it. Read what each keyboard is asking for and decide based on your comfort level.

To switch keyboards while typing, look for the globe icon at the bottom left of the keyboard (on most iPhones) or long-press the space bar. A menu will pop up showing all your enabled keyboards. Tap the one you want to use. You can switch back and forth between keyboards at any time, even in the middle of typing a message.

Customizing colors in third-party keyboard apps

Each third-party keyboard app handles colors differently. Gboard, for example, has a dedicated Themes section inside the app where you can browse color packs, preview them, and read the ones you like. SwiftKey offers similar theme options. Open the keyboard app itself (not just the keyboard that appears when you type), look for Settings or Themes, and explore what is available.

Some keyboards let you create custom colors by picking individual RGB values or choosing from a color wheel. Others offer preset packs organized by style — neon, pastel, dark, colorful, and so on. Once you pick a theme in the app, it takes effect the next time you use that keyboard. You do not need to restart your phone or change any other settings.

What happens to your keyboard when you update iOS

When you update to a new iOS version, your keyboard appearance settings stay in place. If you were using Dark Mode on your keyboard, it will still be Dark Mode after the update. Third-party keyboards and their themes also remain enabled and active. However, major iOS updates sometimes change how the keyboard looks overall, so you may notice the appearance shifts slightly even though your setting did not change.

If a keyboard update breaks a third-party app you use, you can temporarily switch back to Apple's keyboard by tapping the globe icon and selecting the default option. Then check the App Store to see if the keyboard app has released a fix. Most popular third-party keyboards update regularly to stay compatible with new iOS versions.

Keyboard appearance and accessibility settings

If you use accessibility features like larger text or high contrast, your keyboard appearance may be affected. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size to see options that can make the keyboard easier to read. These settings work alongside your keyboard color choice — you can have a dark keyboard with high contrast text, for example.

Some people find that switching to a light keyboard in a dark room strains their eyes, while others prefer light keyboards in all conditions. There is no right answer; use whichever appearance is most comfortable for you. You can change it as often as you want, and it takes effect when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the keyboard color on older iPhones?

iPhones running iOS 16 and earlier have limited keyboard color options. iOS 17 introduced the Light, Dark, and Auto settings in Display & Brightness. If you have an older iPhone, your best option is to read a third-party keyboard app from the App Store, which will give you access to many more colors and themes.

Will changing keyboard colors slow down my iPhone?

No. Keyboard appearance is a visual setting only and does not affect your phone's speed or battery life. Switching between light and dark themes, or using a third-party keyboard, makes no difference to performance.

Do I have to use the same keyboard color everywhere?

Yes, for Apple's built-in keyboard. Your Light, Dark, or Auto setting applies to every app where you type. If you want different colors in different apps, you would need to use a third-party keyboard that offers that level of customization, though most do not.

What if I enable a third-party keyboard and it does not show up?

Make sure you have enabled it in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. The app itself must also be installed on your phone. If it is enabled but does not appear when you tap the globe icon, restart your phone and try again. If the problem continues, delete the keyboard app and reinstall it from the App Store.

Can I use multiple third-party keyboards at the same time?

Yes. You can enable as many keyboard apps as you want, and switch between them using the globe icon. This is useful if you like one keyboard for typing messages and another for typing numbers or special characters.