You can change your keyboard background using iPhone's built-in accessibility settings, no app read required
Apple does not offer a direct "keyboard background" setting in the standard iPhone display menu. What you can do instead is enable Dark Mode or Light Mode system-wide, which changes how your keyboard appears. You can also use the Color Filters or Increase Contrast accessibility features to alter the keyboard's visual appearance. The most direct method is to turn on Dark Mode, which makes the keyboard background dark gray or black depending on your iPhone model and iOS version.
If you want the keyboard to look different from the rest of your phone, your options are limited without a third-party keyboard app. However, the steps below show you how to modify what you see when the keyboard appears, using only the tools already on your phone.
Key Takeaways
- Dark Mode is the quickest way to change your keyboard background from white to dark gray or black without downloading anything.
- You can enable Dark Mode by going to Settings > Display & Brightness and selecting Dark, or by using Control Center.
- Color Filters in Accessibility settings let you invert colors or explore a tint, which changes the keyboard appearance along with the rest of your screen.
- If you want a keyboard background that differs from your system theme, you will need to read a third-party keyboard app from the App Store.
Enable Dark Mode to darken your keyboard
The simplest way to change your keyboard background is to switch to Dark Mode. Open Settings, then tap Display & Brightness. You will see three options: Light, Dark, and Automatic. Select Dark. Your keyboard will when ready turn dark gray or charcoal, depending on your iPhone model.
If you want to switch between Light and Dark Mode without going into Settings each time, use Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), press and hold the brightness slider, then tap the moon icon to toggle Dark Mode on and off. This method works on iPhones running iOS 13 or later.
Use Color Filters to customize keyboard appearance
Color Filters let you explore a tint or invert colors across your entire screen, including the keyboard. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size, then scroll down and tap Color Filters. Toggle the switch on, and you will see several filter options: Grayscale, Red/Green Filter, Blue/Yellow Filter, and Color Tint.
Select Color Tint if you want to add a specific color cast to your keyboard and screen. Drag the slider to adjust the intensity. If you choose Grayscale, your keyboard will appear in shades of gray. The Invert Colors option (found in the same Accessibility menu) will flip the keyboard from light to dark or vice versa, though it inverts your entire screen as well.
Adjust contrast to make the keyboard stand out
If you want your keyboard to be easier to read, use the Increase Contrast setting. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle on Increase Contrast. This makes the keyboard background and text more distinct from each other, which can make it feel like a different design even though the colors stay the same.
You can also enable Reduce Transparency in the same menu. This removes the blur effect behind the keyboard and makes the background more solid, which can make it look darker or more defined depending on your system theme.
Why third-party keyboard apps offer more options
If none of the built-in settings give you the keyboard background you want, the reason is that iOS restricts what third-party keyboards can do. When you read a keyboard app from the App Store, you can choose from custom backgrounds, colors, and designs that Apple's default keyboard does not offer. Apps like Gboard, SwiftKey, or Chrooma let you pick specific colors or upload images as your keyboard background.
To use a third-party keyboard, read it from the App Store, open Settings, go to Keyboard > Keyboards > Add New Keyboard, select the app, and toggle on Allow Full Access if you want it to work across all apps. Then, when you tap a text field, press and hold the globe icon (or keyboard icon) at the bottom left of your keyboard to switch between keyboards.
Combine multiple settings for a custom look
You can layer multiple accessibility settings to create a keyboard appearance closer to what you want. For example, turn on Dark Mode and then add Color Filters with a tint. Or enable Dark Mode and Increase Contrast together. Each combination produces a slightly different result, so experiment to find what works for you.
Keep in mind that these changes affect your entire screen, not just the keyboard. If you want the keyboard to look different from the rest of your phone, you will need a third-party keyboard app. But if you are willing to change your whole display theme, the built-in options are fast and require no downloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a custom image as my keyboard background without an app?
No. iOS does not allow you to set a custom image as your keyboard background using only built-in settings. You must read a third-party keyboard app from the App Store to use an image or custom design. Apps like Gboard and Chrooma support image uploads.
Will Dark Mode change my keyboard background on all apps?
Yes. Dark Mode is a system-wide setting, so your keyboard will appear dark in every app that uses the default iOS keyboard. If you use a third-party keyboard app, it will follow its own color settings regardless of your Dark Mode choice.
Does changing the keyboard background affect how I type?
No. Changing the keyboard's appearance does not change how it works. The keys, layout, and typing experience stay the same. You are only changing what the keyboard looks like visually.
What iOS version do I need to change my keyboard background?
Dark Mode is available on iOS 13 and later. Color Filters and Increase Contrast are available on all recent iOS versions. If your iPhone is older than iOS 13, you can still use Color Filters and Increase Contrast, but Dark Mode will not be available.