Switch Your iPhone Keyboard to a Different Language in Settings

To change your iPhone keyboard language, open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, and select Keyboards. Tap Add New Keyboard and choose the language you want from the list. Once added, you can switch between keyboards while typing by tapping the globe icon on your keyboard, or by long-pressing it to see all available keyboards at once.

The globe icon appears on the keyboard only after you add a second language. If you have just one keyboard installed, the globe will not show. Each time you tap it, your iPhone cycles to the next keyboard in your list. This method works on all iPhone models running iOS 13 or later.

Key Takeaways

  • Add a new keyboard by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard, then selecting your language from the full list.
  • Switch between keyboards while typing by tapping the globe icon on the keyboard, or long-press it to see all your keyboards at once.
  • You can add as many keyboard languages as you want, and they will all appear in your keyboard switcher.
  • Removing a keyboard you no longer use keeps your keyboard switcher clean and faster to navigate.

Add a Second Keyboard Language Step by Step

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap General. Inside General, look for Keyboard and tap it. You will see several options; tap Keyboards at the top of the list.

Tap the blue Add New Keyboard button. A long list of languages will appear. Scroll through and tap the language you want to add. Some languages have regional variants—for example, you can choose English (US), English (UK), or English (Australia). Select the specific variant you prefer, and it will be added to your keyboard list when ready.

You can now return to any app and start typing. The globe icon will appear on your keyboard next to the space bar. Tap it once to switch to your new keyboard, and tap it again to switch back.

Switch Between Keyboards While Typing

Once you have added a second keyboard, the globe icon becomes your keyboard switcher. It sits to the left of the space bar on most iPhone keyboards. Tap it once to cycle to your next keyboard. If you have three or more keyboards, keep tapping to cycle through them all.

For faster switching, long-press the globe icon instead of tapping it. A menu will pop up showing all your installed keyboards. Tap the one you want to use right away. This method is faster than tapping the globe multiple times if you have many keyboards installed.

Your iPhone remembers which keyboard you used last in each app. If you switch to Spanish in your Messages app, the next time you open Messages, Spanish will be your default keyboard until you switch again.

Remove a Keyboard Language You No Longer Need

Go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. You will see your list of installed keyboards. Swipe left on any keyboard you want to remove, and a red Delete button will appear. Tap it to remove that keyboard.

Alternatively, tap Edit in the top right corner of the Keyboards list. Red minus signs will appear next to each keyboard. Tap the minus sign next to the keyboard you want to remove, then tap Delete. When you are done, tap Done in the top right.

If you remove all but one keyboard, the globe icon will disappear from your keyboard. You can always add it back later by following the same steps to add a new keyboard.

Keyboard Languages Available on iPhone

iPhone supports over 80 keyboard languages and regional variants. Common options include Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Russian, and many others. When you tap Add New Keyboard, you will see the complete list organized alphabetically.

Some languages offer multiple input methods. Chinese, for example, lets you choose between Pinyin, Cantonese, or handwriting input. Japanese offers Hiragana, Katakana, and Romaji. When you select a language with multiple input methods, you can pick the one that works best for you.

If you do not see a language in the list, it may not be supported on your iPhone model or iOS version. Make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS by checking Settings > General > Software Update.

Reorder Your Keyboards for Faster Switching

If you have many keyboards, you can arrange them in the order you use them most. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and tap Edit in the top right. Three horizontal lines will appear next to each keyboard. Tap and hold these lines, then drag the keyboard up or down to reorder it.

Reordering is useful because tapping the globe icon cycles through your keyboards in the order they appear in this list. If you use Spanish most often, move it to the top so it appears first when you tap the globe. Tap Done when you are finished reordering.

Troubleshooting Keyboard Language Problems

If the globe icon is not showing on your keyboard, you may have only one keyboard installed. Add a second keyboard language using the steps above, and the globe will appear. If it still does not show after adding a keyboard, restart your iPhone by turning it off and back on.

If a keyboard language is not typing correctly, check that you selected the right regional variant when you added it. For example, if you added English (UK) but want English (US), remove the UK version and add the US version instead. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, swipe left on the keyboard, and tap Delete.

If your iPhone is running an older iOS version, some keyboard languages may not work properly. Check Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available. Updating to the latest iOS often fixes keyboard issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple keyboard languages at the same time?

Yes. You can add as many keyboard languages as you want, and they will all stay installed on your iPhone. Use the globe icon to switch between them while typing. There is no limit to how many you can add.

Will changing my keyboard language change my iPhone's system language?

No. Keyboard language and system language are separate. You can have your iPhone set to English but use a Spanish keyboard. Your apps, menus, and notifications will stay in English while your keyboard types in Spanish.

How do I type accented letters on a different keyboard?

Long-press the letter you want to accent. A menu will pop up showing accent options for that letter. For example, long-pressing "e" on a Spanish keyboard shows é, è, ê, and ë. Tap the accented version you want.

Can I use voice typing with different keyboard languages?

Yes. The microphone icon on your keyboard will recognize speech in whatever language your current keyboard is set to. Switch to your Spanish keyboard, tap the microphone, and speak in Spanish. Your iPhone will type what you say in Spanish.

What if I accidentally delete my main keyboard language?

You can add it back anytime. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard and select the language again. Your iPhone will restore it to your keyboard list.