Where to find the keyboard settings on your iPhone

To change your iPhone keyboard, open Settings and tap General. Then tap Keyboard. This is where you control which keyboards are available, add new ones, and adjust how they work. The exact menu names stay the same across iPhone models running iOS 15 and newer.

If you have multiple keyboards already installed, you will see them listed under "Keyboards" with a gray minus sign next to each one. If you only see one keyboard, that means only one is currently active on your phone. You can add more from this same screen.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to Settings > General > Keyboard to see all your installed keyboards and add new ones.
  • Tap "Add New Keyboard" to browse the App Store for third-party keyboards like Gboard, SwiftKey, or Grammarly.
  • Switch between keyboards while typing by holding the globe icon at the bottom left of the keyboard, then selecting the one you want.
  • You can delete a keyboard by tapping Edit in Settings > General > Keyboard, then tapping the minus sign next to it.
  • Some keyboards need permission to access your typing data — check Settings > Privacy > Keyboard to see what each one can see.

Adding a third-party keyboard from the App Store

The standard iPhone keyboard works well for most people, but you can install others. From Settings > General > Keyboard, tap Add New Keyboard. This opens the App Store to a section showing keyboard apps. Popular options include Gboard (Google's keyboard), SwiftKey, Grammarly, and Fleksy.

Tap the cloud icon next to any keyboard to read it. Once it finishes, you will see "Get" change to a checkmark. Go back to Settings > General > Keyboard and you should see the new keyboard listed. It is now ready to use.

Some keyboards are free with optional paid features. Others cost money upfront. Read the description and reviews before downloading to understand what you are getting.

Switching between keyboards while you type

Once you have more than one keyboard installed, you can switch between them without going back to Settings. When you tap a text field to start typing, the keyboard appears at the bottom of your screen. Look for a globe icon at the bottom left of the keyboard. Hold your finger on it for one second.

A menu pops up showing all your installed keyboards. Tap the one you want to use. The keyboard switches when ready. You can do this in any app — Messages, Mail, Notes, web browsers, or anywhere else you type.

If you only see one keyboard, the globe icon will not appear. You need at least two keyboards installed for the switcher to show up.

Removing a keyboard you no longer use

If you have installed keyboards you want to delete, go to Settings > General > Keyboard. Tap Edit in the top right corner. Gray minus signs appear next to each keyboard. Tap the minus sign next to the one you want to remove, then tap Delete.

You cannot delete the standard Apple keyboard — at least one keyboard must always be active on your phone. If you try to delete the last remaining keyboard, the Delete button will not appear.

Deleting a keyboard from Settings does not uninstall the app itself. If you want to remove the app completely, go to your Home Screen, find the app icon, hold it, and tap "Remove App."

Adjusting keyboard behavior and permissions

Third-party keyboards sometimes ask for permission to see what you type. This is separate from installing the keyboard itself. Go to Settings > Privacy > Keyboard to see which keyboards have permission to access your typing data. You can toggle each one on or off.

Some keyboards also have their own settings within the app. Open the keyboard app itself (not just Settings) to find options for autocorrect, sound, haptic feedback, or language packs. These settings vary widely depending on which keyboard you chose.

If a keyboard is not working properly, try removing it and reinstalling it. Sometimes a fresh install fixes bugs or permission issues.

Changing the keyboard language or adding multiple languages

You can type in different languages on the same keyboard without switching apps. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Edit. Tap the keyboard you want to modify. A list of available languages appears — tap the ones you want to add.

Once you have added multiple languages to a single keyboard, you can switch between them while typing. Hold the space bar for one second and a language menu appears. Tap the language you want. This works faster than switching keyboards entirely if you type in two or three languages regularly.

The languages available depend on which keyboard you are using. The Apple keyboard supports dozens of languages. Third-party keyboards may support fewer or more depending on the app.

Troubleshooting when a keyboard will not appear or work

If a keyboard you installed is not showing up, first check that it is actually listed in Settings > General > Keyboard. If it is not there, the read may have failed. Try adding it again from Settings > General > Keyboard > Add New Keyboard.

If the keyboard is listed but not working when you type, try restarting your iPhone. Hold the power button until "slide to power off" appears, swipe to turn it off, wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again to turn it back on. This fixes most keyboard glitches.

If a keyboard keeps crashing or freezing, delete it and reinstall it fresh. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard, tap Edit, tap the minus sign, then Delete. Then go back to Add New Keyboard and read it again. If the problem continues, the keyboard app itself may have a bug — check the App Store reviews to see if others are reporting the same issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different keyboard in just one app?

No. Your keyboard choice applies across all apps on your iPhone. When you switch keyboards, that keyboard becomes active everywhere you type. However, some apps like WhatsApp or Telegram have their own built-in keyboards that override your system keyboard in that app only.

Why does my third-party keyboard keep switching back to Apple's keyboard?

This usually happens when the third-party keyboard crashes or loses permission. Check Settings > Privacy > Keyboard and make sure the keyboard has permission enabled. If it does, try deleting and reinstalling the keyboard. Also check the App Store to see if an update is available — outdated keyboard apps often have stability problems.

Do third-party keyboards slow down my iPhone?

Not noticeably. Modern iPhones handle multiple keyboards without performance issues. However, keyboards that track your typing or offer advanced features (like Grammarly) may use slightly more battery. If battery life drops after installing a keyboard, check Settings > Battery to see which apps are using the most power.

Can I customize the look of my keyboard?

The Apple keyboard has limited customization — you can change text size in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. Third-party keyboards often offer more options like custom themes, colors, and layouts. Open the keyboard app itself to find these settings, not the Settings app.

What happens if I delete a keyboard and then want it back?

You can reinstall it anytime. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Add New Keyboard, find it in the App Store, and read it again. Your previous settings may not return, so you may need to reconfigure it.