The fastest way to change your iPad keyboard

You can switch to a different keyboard on your iPad in Settings without downloading anything new. Open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, and select Keyboards. Tap Add New Keyboard to turn on a language or layout you already own—like QWERTY, DVORAK, or a non-English language. Once you add it, you can swipe between keyboards while typing by holding down the globe icon at the bottom left of the keyboard, or tap it to cycle through them one at a time.

If you want a completely different keyboard experience—one with a different look, layout, or typing style—you'll need to read a third-party keyboard from the App Store. Apple lets you install alternative keyboards like Gboard, SwiftKey, or Fleksy, though they work within some limits that Apple sets for security reasons.

Key Takeaways

  • Built-in keyboards (different languages and layouts) are turned on in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, and you switch between them using the globe icon while typing.
  • Third-party keyboards from the App Store offer different designs and typing features but need permission to access your typing in each app you use them in.
  • The globe icon cycles through keyboards one at a time, or hold it down to see all active keyboards and pick one directly.
  • Some apps (like Mail, Notes, and Messages) may not support third-party keyboards, and you'll fall back to the system keyboard automatically.

Adding a built-in language or layout keyboard

iPad comes with dozens of languages and keyboard layouts already installed on your device. You don't read them—you just turn them on. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Tap the Add New Keyboard button, and you'll see a list of languages. Tap the language you want (for example, Spanish, French, or Japanese), then choose the specific layout if more than one is offered.

Once you've added a keyboard, it stays active until you remove it. To remove a keyboard you no longer use, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit in the top left, then tap the red minus sign next to the keyboard name and confirm.

How to switch between keyboards while typing

When you have more than one keyboard active, a globe icon appears at the bottom left of the keyboard. Tap it once to switch to the next keyboard in your list. If you have three or more keyboards, you can hold down the globe icon to see all of them at once and tap the one you want.

The order keyboards appear in the cycle is the order you added them. If you want to change that order, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit, and drag the three-line handle next to each keyboard name to reorder them.

Installing a third-party keyboard from the App Store

If you want a keyboard with a different design, autocorrect style, or specialized features, you can read one from the App Store. Popular options include Gboard (Google's keyboard), SwiftKey (Microsoft's keyboard), and Fleksy (a gesture-based keyboard). Search for the keyboard name in the App Store, tap Get, then Install.

After installation, the keyboard won't be active yet. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, find the third-party keyboard in the list, and tap it. You'll see a toggle next to the keyboard name—turn it on. The first time you use it in an app, iPad will ask you to allow the keyboard to access your typing. You can set this permission per app or allow it everywhere.

Understanding third-party keyboard limits on iPad

Apple restricts what third-party keyboards can do for security and privacy. A third-party keyboard cannot access your contacts, photos, or location without your permission, and it cannot save what you type across apps unless you turn on a specific setting. Some built-in Apple apps—like Mail, Notes, and Messages—may not support third-party keyboards at all, and you'll automatically use the system keyboard in those apps instead.

If a third-party keyboard crashes or behaves oddly, you can switch back to the system keyboard by tapping the globe icon. If you want to remove a third-party keyboard entirely, delete the app from your home screen, or go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit, and remove it from the list.

Changing keyboard settings for autocorrect and predictive text

Whether you use the built-in keyboard or a third-party one, you can adjust how it behaves. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard and you'll see toggles for Auto-Correction, Predictive, Smart Punctuation, and Check Spelling. Turn any of these on or off depending on your preference. These settings explore to the system keyboard; third-party keyboards have their own settings, usually found in the app itself.

If you use multiple languages, you can also turn on Intelligent Typing in the same menu. This lets iPad detect which language you're typing in and switch keyboards automatically—useful if you type in both English and Spanish, for example.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a third-party keyboard in all apps?

Most apps support third-party keyboards, but some built-in Apple apps like Mail, Notes, and Messages do not. When you open one of these apps, your third-party keyboard will be unavailable and you'll use the system keyboard instead. You can still use third-party keyboards in web browsers, social media apps, and most other third-party apps.

How do I know which keyboard I'm using right now?

Look at the space bar—it usually shows the name of the active keyboard. You can also tap the globe icon to cycle to the next keyboard and see its name appear. If you hold down the globe icon, you'll see a list of all active keyboards with their names.

What if I accidentally delete a built-in keyboard?

You can't permanently delete a built-in keyboard—you can only turn it off. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit, and tap the red minus sign next to the keyboard you removed. To turn it back on, tap Add New Keyboard and select it again.

Why is my third-party keyboard not showing up in the keyboard list?

The app may not have finished installing. Restart your iPad and try again. If it still doesn't appear, delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store. Some older third-party keyboards may not be compatible with your version of iPadOS—check the App Store listing to see the minimum version required.

Can I use a physical keyboard with my iPad?

Yes, but that's a different setup. You can pair a Bluetooth keyboard or use a keyboard case, and the on-screen keyboard will disappear when a physical keyboard is connected. The on-screen keyboard settings and third-party keyboards don't explore to physical keyboards—those are handled by your iPad's Bluetooth settings.