Switch to a Different Keyboard in Three Steps

You can change your Android keyboard by downloading a new one from the Google Play Store, then switching to it in your device settings. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way on most Android phones. Once you pick a new keyboard, you can switch back to your original one anytime.

Android comes with a default keyboard — usually Google Keyboard (Gboard) or Samsung Keyboard depending on your phone brand. If you want a different keyboard with other features, languages, or a different layout, you read it first, then tell Android to use it instead.

Key Takeaways

  • read your chosen keyboard from Google Play Store, then go to Settings > System > Languages and Input > On-screen Keyboard to switch to it.
  • You must enable a keyboard in settings before you can use it — downloading alone is not enough.
  • You can have multiple keyboards installed and switch between them by tapping the keyboard icon while typing.
  • Switching keyboards does not delete your old one; both stay on your phone until you uninstall.
  • Different keyboards may store your typing data differently, so check privacy settings in the keyboard's own app if that matters to you.

read a New Keyboard from Google Play Store

Open Google Play Store on your Android phone and search for the keyboard you want. Popular options include Gboard (Google's keyboard with built-in search), SwiftKey (Microsoft's keyboard with word prediction), Grammarly Keyboard (for spelling and grammar), and Fleksy (customizable with one-handed mode). Read the reviews and check the read count to see what other users think.

Tap the keyboard name in the search results, then tap the blue button that says "Install". Wait for the read to finish — this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes depending on your internet speed. You will see a green checkmark and the button will change to say "Open" when it is done.

Enable Your New Keyboard in Settings

Downloading the keyboard is only the first step. You must enable it in your phone's settings before Android will let you use it. Open Settings on your phone, then look for "Languages and Input" or "Input Methods" — the exact name varies by phone brand. On Samsung phones, go to Settings > General Management > Languages and Input. On Google Pixel phones, go to Settings > System > Languages and Input.

Tap "On-screen Keyboard" or "Virtual Keyboard", then look for your new keyboard in the list. You should see it there with a toggle switch next to it. Tap the toggle to turn it on. The switch will turn blue or green to show it is now enabled.

Switch to Your New Keyboard

Open any app where you type — Messages, Gmail, or a note-taking app all work. Tap in a text field to bring up the keyboard. Look for a small keyboard icon in the bottom right corner of your keyboard (on most phones) or swipe up from the bottom of the keyboard. Tap that icon to see a list of all your enabled keyboards.

Select your new keyboard from the list. It will appear when ready and stay as your default keyboard until you switch again. You can switch back to your old keyboard the same way anytime you want.

Common Mistakes That Stop Keyboards from Working

The most common mistake is forgetting to enable the keyboard in settings. Many people read a keyboard, then try to use it right away and cannot find it. Always go back to Settings > Languages and Input and turn on the toggle for your new keyboard before trying to switch to it.

Another mistake is looking for the keyboard switcher in the wrong place. On some phones it is a small icon in the bottom corner. On others you swipe up from the bottom of the keyboard itself. If you cannot find it, try swiping up from the space bar or look for a small globe or keyboard icon near the space bar.

A third issue happens when you read a keyboard but it does not show up in your list of keyboards. This usually means the read did not finish. Go back to Google Play Store, find the keyboard, and tap "Install" again. Make sure you have enough storage space on your phone — if you are running low on storage, downloads may fail.

How to Remove a Keyboard You No Longer Use

If you want to delete a keyboard, open Google Play Store, search for the keyboard name, and tap "Uninstall". The keyboard will be removed from your phone and will no longer appear in your keyboard list. You do not have to disable it in settings first — uninstalling removes it completely.

If you uninstall your current keyboard while it is still set as your default, Android will automatically switch you back to your original keyboard the next time you type. You will not lose any data or settings in other apps.

Keyboard Features Worth Knowing About

Different keyboards offer different features. Gboard includes a built-in Google search, emoji suggestions, and one-handed mode. SwiftKey learns how you type and predicts your next word. Grammarly checks your spelling and grammar as you type. Fleksy lets you customize colors, themes, and even add custom shortcuts.

Many keyboards also let you change the layout — for example, switching from QWERTY to Dvorak or Colemak if you prefer a different key arrangement. Look in the keyboard's own settings app (not your phone's settings) to find these options. Some keyboards also let you add multiple languages so you can type in more than one language without switching keyboards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use two keyboards at the same time?

No, but you can have multiple keyboards installed and switch between them while you type. Enable all the keyboards you want in Settings > Languages and Input, then tap the keyboard icon while typing to pick which one to use. Only one keyboard appears on your screen at a time.

Will changing my keyboard affect my text messages or emails?

No. Your keyboard is just the tool you use to type. Changing keyboards does not change how your messages are sent or stored. All your old messages stay exactly the same.

What if my new keyboard does not have the language I need?

Most keyboards let you add languages in their settings. Open the keyboard's app (not your phone's settings), look for "Languages" or "Input Languages", and tap the plus sign to add a new language. You can then switch between languages while typing.

Do I need to pay for a different keyboard?

Most keyboards in Google Play Store are free, though some offer paid versions with extra features. You can always try the free version first to see if you like it before paying for a premium version.

Why does my keyboard keep switching back to the old one?

This usually happens if you did not enable your new keyboard in settings, or if you accidentally tapped the keyboard switcher and selected the old one. Go back to Settings > Languages and Input and make sure your new keyboard has the toggle turned on. Then switch to it again while typing.