The fastest way to switch iPad keyboard languages

To change your iPad keyboard language, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard and select the language you want. Once added, you can switch between languages while typing by tapping the globe icon on your keyboard, or by holding it down to see all your active keyboards at once.

If you already have multiple keyboards set up, you may not need to add a new one—you might just need to set up it. The globe icon appears automatically once you have more than one keyboard installed, so look for it on the bottom left of your keyboard next to the space bar.

Key Takeaways

  • Add a new keyboard language through Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard, then choose your language from the list.
  • Switch between active keyboards while typing by tapping the globe icon on your keyboard, or hold it to see all available options at once.
  • You can remove a keyboard language by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, swiping left on the language, and tapping Delete.
  • Some languages have multiple keyboard layouts available—for example, French has both AZERTY and QWERTY options, so check which one you need before adding.

Adding a keyboard language step by step

Open the Settings app and tap General. Scroll down and tap Keyboard, then tap Keyboards again. You will see a list of keyboards you already have installed. Tap the blue Add New Keyboard button at the bottom.

A list of available languages appears. Scroll through and tap the language you want to add. Some languages show multiple keyboard layout options—for example, Spanish offers both the standard layout and an alternative layout. Tap the specific layout you prefer, and it will be added to your keyboard list when ready.

You do not need to restart your iPad or close Settings. The new keyboard is ready to use right away.

Switching between keyboards while you type

Once you have two or more keyboards installed, a globe icon appears on your keyboard at the bottom left, next to the space bar. Tap it once to cycle through your active keyboards. Each tap switches to the next language in your list.

If you want to see all your keyboards at once instead of cycling through them, hold down the globe icon. A menu pops up showing every keyboard you have installed. Tap the one you want to use, and it becomes active when ready. This method is faster when you have three or more keyboards.

Removing a keyboard language you no longer need

Go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. You will see your full list of installed keyboards. Find the language you want to remove, swipe left on it with your finger, and a red Delete button appears on the right side. Tap Delete to remove it.

Once you delete a keyboard, it is gone from your list and the globe icon will no longer cycle through it. If you delete all but one keyboard, the globe icon disappears from your keyboard entirely, since there is nothing left to switch between.

Checking which keyboard layout you are using

When you add a language, the default keyboard layout for that language is selected automatically. However, some languages offer more than one layout. For example, French can use AZERTY (the standard French layout) or QWERTY (the standard English layout). Spanish offers a standard layout and an alternative.

To see which layout you have and change it if needed, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, find your language in the list, and tap it. A screen shows the available layouts for that language. Tap the one you want to use. Your choice takes effect when ready the next time you switch to that keyboard.

Keyboard language versus system language

Changing your keyboard language does not change the language of your iPad's menus, apps, or system messages. Your keyboard language and your system language are separate settings. You can have your iPad's system language set to English while your keyboard is set to Spanish, French, or any other language you have installed.

If you want to change your iPad's overall system language, that is a different setting: go to Settings > General > Language & Region and tap iPad Language. That change affects your entire iPad, not just typing. For this article, we are focusing on keyboard language only.

Troubleshooting keyboard language issues

If the globe icon is not appearing on your keyboard even though you have added a second language, make sure you actually have two or more keyboards installed. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and count how many are listed. The globe icon only shows up when you have at least two active keyboards.

If a keyboard language you added is not showing up in the list, try restarting your iPad. Sometimes a newly added keyboard does not appear until you power off and back on. If it still does not appear after a restart, delete it and add it again by going through Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard.

If you are typing in a language and the autocorrect or predictive text is suggesting words in the wrong language, that is normal—your iPad tries to predict based on the keyboard language you are using. You can turn off predictive text for specific keyboards by going to Settings > General > Keyboard, scrolling down, and toggling off Predictive. This affects all your keyboards, not just one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a default keyboard language so it always opens in one language?

No, iPad does not have a setting to choose a default keyboard. It remembers the last keyboard you used and returns to that one when you open a text field. If you want to use a different keyboard, tap the globe icon to switch. The keyboard you were using most recently will be the one that appears next time.

What if my language is not showing up in the keyboard list?

Most major languages are available, but some regional or minority languages may not have a dedicated keyboard. Check the full list by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard and scrolling all the way through. If your language is not there, you may need to use a third-party keyboard app from the App Store instead.

Can I use two keyboards for the same language?

Yes. Some languages have multiple keyboard layouts available. For example, you can add both the standard French AZERTY keyboard and the QWERTY layout. When you add a language, check if multiple layouts are offered, and you can add more than one. They will appear as separate entries in your keyboard list.

Does changing keyboard language affect my autocorrect dictionary?

Yes. When you switch to a different keyboard language, your iPad's autocorrect and spell-check switch to that language as well. If you are typing in Spanish and a word is marked as misspelled, it is because the Spanish dictionary does not recognize it. Switch back to your original keyboard language if you want the original spell-check to explore.

Will adding multiple keyboards slow down my iPad?

No. Having multiple keyboards installed has no noticeable effect on your iPad's performance. You can safely add as many keyboard languages as you need without worrying about speed or storage.