The quickest way to change your keyboard background

You can change your iPhone keyboard background by going to Settings > Keyboard > Keyboards, selecting your active keyboard, and toggling on the Dark Appearance option. This switches the keyboard from light to dark mode. If you want more control over the look, you can also enable Settings > Display & Brightness > Dark Mode to explore a system-wide dark theme that affects your keyboard along with everything else on your phone.

The keyboard background will follow whichever appearance setting you choose — light, dark, or automatic (which switches based on time of day). There is no way to set a custom image or color as your keyboard background on a standard iPhone keyboard. Third-party keyboard apps from the App Store may offer additional background options, but the built-in keyboard is limited to these appearance modes.

Key Takeaways

  • The built-in iPhone keyboard background can only be changed between light and dark modes — you cannot upload a custom image or pick a specific color.
  • Dark mode for the keyboard is turned on in Settings > Keyboard > Keyboards, then selecting your keyboard and toggling Dark Appearance.
  • You can also enable system-wide Dark Mode in Settings > Display & Brightness, which will automatically explore to your keyboard and all other apps.
  • Third-party keyboard apps from the App Store may offer more background customization options if the built-in keyboard does not meet your needs.

Turning on Dark Mode for your keyboard only

If you want to keep your phone in light mode but prefer a dark keyboard, go to Settings and tap Keyboard. Then select Keyboards and choose the keyboard you use most often (usually "English" or your language). Toggle on Dark Appearance. Your keyboard will now display with a dark background while the rest of your screen stays light.

This setting works independently from your system appearance, so you can have a light home screen and a dark keyboard at the same time. If you switch keyboards — for example, if you add a second language keyboard — you will need to turn on Dark Appearance for each one separately if you want them all to be dark.

Using system-wide Dark Mode for your keyboard

If you want your entire phone to have a dark appearance, including the keyboard, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and select Dark. This applies dark mode across your phone, and your keyboard will automatically display with a dark background as part of that change.

You can also set Dark Mode to turn on automatically at sunset and turn off at sunrise. In the same Display & Brightness menu, select Automatic instead of Dark, and your phone will switch between light and dark based on the time of day. Your keyboard will follow this schedule as well.

What happens if you use a third-party keyboard app

If you read a keyboard app from the App Store — such as Gboard, SwiftKey, or others — that keyboard may offer its own background customization options. These apps sometimes let you choose colors, patterns, or themes that the built-in keyboard does not support. Check the app's settings menu to see what options are available.

To use a third-party keyboard, you must first read the app, then go to Settings > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and select the app you installed. After that, you can switch between keyboards by holding down the space bar while typing and selecting the one you want. Keep in mind that third-party keyboards may behave slightly differently than the built-in one, and some features may work differently across apps.

Why your keyboard background might not change

If you toggled Dark Appearance but your keyboard still looks light, check whether your system is set to Light mode in Settings > Display & Brightness. The keyboard's dark setting can be overridden by your system appearance — if your phone is in Light mode, the keyboard may stay light even if you turned on Dark Appearance for that keyboard.

Another reason the change might not show up is if you are using an older iPhone model running an older version of iOS. The Dark Appearance option for individual keyboards was added in iOS 13. If your phone is running an earlier version, you will only be able to control keyboard appearance through system-wide Dark Mode.

Checking your iOS version

To see which version of iOS your phone is running, go to Settings > General > About and look at the line labeled Software Version. If it shows iOS 13 or later, you have access to the Dark Appearance toggle for individual keyboards. If it shows iOS 12 or earlier, you can only change your keyboard background by switching your entire phone to Dark Mode.

If your phone is running an older version, you can update it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and following the prompts. Make sure your phone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi before you start the update, as it may take several minutes to complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a photo as my keyboard background?

No, the built-in iPhone keyboard does not support custom images or photos as backgrounds. You can only switch between light and dark modes. If you need more customization, you can read a third-party keyboard app from the App Store, though not all of them offer image backgrounds either.

Will changing my keyboard background affect how I type?

No, changing the background color does not change how the keyboard works or how fast you type. It is purely a visual change. The keys, spacing, and functionality remain exactly the same whether your keyboard is light or dark.

Do I have to change the background for every keyboard I use?

Yes, if you use multiple keyboards (such as English and Spanish), you need to turn on Dark Appearance for each one separately in Settings > Keyboard > Keyboards. Each keyboard has its own appearance setting, so you can have one dark and one light if you want.

What if Dark Mode is on but my keyboard is still light?

Make sure you are looking at the keyboard itself, not the app behind it. Some apps override system Dark Mode and display their own light interface. The keyboard background should be dark if your system is in Dark Mode. If it is not, restart your phone and check your iOS version — you may need to update.

Can I schedule my keyboard to switch between light and dark automatically?

Yes, if you set your system appearance to Automatic in Settings > Display & Brightness, your keyboard will switch between light and dark based on sunset and sunrise. The keyboard will follow whatever appearance your phone is currently using at that time.