Switch to a Different Keyboard in Three Steps

You can change your keyboard on Android by opening Settings, finding the keyboard or input method option, and selecting a different keyboard from the list of installed keyboards. The exact menu name varies by phone brand — Samsung calls it "On-screen keyboard," Google Pixel calls it "Virtual keyboard," and others may label it "Input method" — but the process is the same on all Android phones.

Once you pick a new keyboard, it becomes your default. The next time you tap a text field, that keyboard will appear instead of your old one. You can switch back anytime using the same steps, or you can have multiple keyboards installed and toggle between them without going into Settings each time.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, search for "keyboard" or "input method," and tap the option that matches your phone brand to see all installed keyboards.
  • You can read free keyboards like Gboard, SwiftKey, or Grammarly from the Google Play Store before changing your default.
  • After you set a new default keyboard, you can still switch to another keyboard mid-typing by holding the space bar or tapping the keyboard icon in the bottom corner.
  • Some keyboards ask for permission to access your typing data — read what each one requests before you confirm.
  • If your new keyboard does not appear in Settings, restart your phone after installing it from the Play Store.

Find the Keyboard Settings on Your Phone

The first step is to open the Settings app and locate the keyboard menu. On most Android phones, you can search for this directly: open Settings, tap the search bar at the top, type "keyboard," and look for an option labeled "On-screen keyboard," "Virtual keyboard," "Input method," or "Keyboard and input methods." Tap whichever one appears.

If your phone does not have a search bar in Settings, scroll down through the main menu and look for "System," "Language and input," or "Advanced." The keyboard option is usually nested under one of these categories. Once you find it, you will see a list of keyboards already installed on your phone — typically the default keyboard that came with your phone plus any you have downloaded.

read a New Keyboard from Google Play Store

Before you can switch to a different keyboard, you need to install one. Open the Google Play Store app, tap the search icon, and type the name of the keyboard you want — popular free options include Gboard (made by Google), SwiftKey (made by Microsoft), Grammarly, or Swype. Tap the keyboard name in the search results.

On the keyboard's page, tap the "Install" button. The read usually takes less than a minute. Once it finishes, the button will change to "Open" or "Uninstall," which means the keyboard is now on your phone. You do not need to open it from the Play Store — you will set up it in Settings instead.

Set Your New Keyboard as the Default

Go back to the keyboard settings menu you found earlier (Settings > search "keyboard" > tap the result). You will now see your newly installed keyboard listed alongside your old one. Tap the name of the keyboard you want to use as your default.

A menu will pop up or a new screen will open showing that keyboard's settings. Look for a button or toggle labeled "Set as default," "set up," "Enable," or straightforward a radio button next to the keyboard name. Tap it. Your new keyboard is now active — the next time you tap a text field to type, your new keyboard will appear.

Grant Permissions Your New Keyboard Requests

When you first use your new keyboard, it may ask for permission to access certain features — such as your contacts, clipboard history, or typing patterns. Read each permission request carefully. Keyboards need access to your typing to work, but you should understand what data each one collects.

If a keyboard asks for permission to access your location, photos, or call history, you can usually deny those requests and the keyboard will still function. Tap "Allow" only for permissions that make sense for a keyboard — typically "Microphone" (for voice typing), "Contacts" (for autocomplete), and "Clipboard" (to paste text). You can change these permissions later in Settings > Apps > [Keyboard Name] > Permissions.

Switch Between Keyboards Without Going to Settings

Once you have multiple keyboards installed, you can toggle between them quickly while typing. When your keyboard is open, look for a small keyboard icon or globe icon in the bottom corner of the keyboard — usually on the left or right side of the space bar. Tap it once to switch to your next installed keyboard, or hold it down to see a list of all your keyboards and pick one.

This method is faster than going back to Settings each time you want to change keyboards. You can keep your favorite keyboard as the default and still access others without changing your settings. If you do not see a keyboard icon, your keyboard may not support this feature — in that case, you will need to go back to Settings to switch.

Troubleshoot If Your New Keyboard Does Not Appear

If you installed a keyboard from the Play Store but it does not show up in your Settings menu, restart your phone first. Turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. This gives Android time to register the new keyboard. After the restart, go back to Settings and search for "keyboard" again.

If the keyboard still does not appear, open the Play Store, search for the keyboard by name, and check whether it says "Install" or "Uninstall." If it says "Install," the app may not have downloaded properly — tap Install again. If it says "Uninstall," the app is installed but Settings has not refreshed. Try restarting your phone once more. If the problem persists, uninstall the keyboard, restart, and reinstall it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use more than one keyboard at the same time?

Yes. You can install as many keyboards as you want and switch between them by tapping the keyboard icon while typing, or by changing your default in Settings. Only one keyboard is active at a time, but you can toggle between them when ready without uninstalling anything.

Will changing my keyboard delete my old one?

No. Your original keyboard stays on your phone even after you set a new one as default. You can switch back to it anytime by going to Settings and selecting it again, or by tapping the keyboard icon while typing.

Do I have to pay for a different keyboard?

Most popular keyboards are free to read from the Google Play Store. Some offer paid versions with extra features, but the basic version is always free. You can try a keyboard for as long as you want and uninstall it if you do not like it.

What happens to my typing data when I change keyboards?

Each keyboard stores its own dictionary and learning data separately. When you switch keyboards, your new keyboard will not know your typing habits at first — it learns them as you use it. Your old keyboard keeps its data if you switch back to it later.

Can I change my keyboard on the lock screen?

No. The lock screen uses your default keyboard only. You can only switch keyboards once you unlock your phone and open an app that lets you type, like Messages or Notes.