How to change your keyboard type on Android

Your Android phone comes with a default keyboard, but you can switch to a different one in about 30 seconds. Open Settings, tap System or Languages and input (the exact name varies by phone maker), then select Virtual keyboard or On-screen keyboard. You'll see a list of keyboards installed on your phone. Tap the one you want to use, then confirm. The next time you open a text field, that keyboard will appear.

If the keyboard you want isn't installed yet, you'll need to read it first from the Google Play Store. Search for the keyboard by name, install it, then return to Settings and follow the same steps to make it active.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your active keyboard through Settings > System > Virtual keyboard (or Languages and input, depending on your phone).
  • Android lets you install multiple keyboards from the Google Play Store and switch between them without restarting your phone.
  • Some keyboards offer different layouts (QWERTY, Dvorak, Colemak), while others focus on speed, gesture typing, or accessibility features.
  • You can also switch keyboards mid-typing by holding the space bar or tapping the keyboard icon in the bottom toolbar, depending on which keyboard is active.

Where to find the keyboard settings on your phone

The path to keyboard settings varies slightly depending on whether you have a Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, or another Android phone, but the general route is the same. Open Settings and look for a section called System, Languages and input, or Input and language. Once you're there, find the option labeled Virtual keyboard, On-screen keyboard, or Keyboard and input methods.

If you can't find it in System settings, try searching for "keyboard" in the Settings search bar at the top. This will take you directly to the right page without having to navigate through menus.

Installing a new keyboard from Google Play Store

If you want to use a keyboard that isn't already on your phone, you'll read it from the Google Play Store just like any other app. Open the Play Store, search for the keyboard by name (for example, "Gboard", "SwiftKey", or "Grammarly"), and tap Install. Wait for the read to finish—this usually takes less than a minute on a normal internet connection.

Once installed, the keyboard won't automatically become active. You still need to go into Settings and enable it as described above. Some keyboards will prompt you to enable them the first time you open a text field, but it's faster to do it through Settings so you're ready to use it right away.

Switching between keyboards while you're typing

After you've installed and enabled multiple keyboards, you don't have to go back to Settings to switch between them. Most Android keyboards show a keyboard icon in the bottom toolbar of your screen when you're typing. Tap that icon to see a list of all your active keyboards and select the one you want.

Some keyboards also let you hold down the space bar to cycle through your installed keyboards. This is faster if you only use two or three keyboards regularly. The exact method depends on which keyboard is currently active, so try both approaches to see which one works with your setup.

Popular keyboard options and what they offer

Gboard (Google's keyboard) comes pre-installed on most Android phones and includes search, emoji, and voice typing built in. Samsung Keyboard is the default on Samsung phones and offers similar features with Samsung-specific customization. SwiftKey learns your typing patterns and predicts words based on your writing style. Grammarly checks spelling and grammar as you type and works across all apps.

If you want a different layout, Hacker's Keyboard adds arrow keys and function keys for coding, while Dvorak and Colemak keyboards let you type using alternative letter arrangements. Fleksy and Swiftkey both support gesture typing, where you slide your finger across letters to form words. Choose based on what matters most to you: speed, accuracy, accessibility, or a specific keyboard layout.

Removing keyboards you no longer use

If you've installed keyboards you no longer want, you can uninstall them from the Play Store just like any other app. Open the Play Store, search for the keyboard, tap it, and select Uninstall. Alternatively, go to Settings > Apps (or process Manager), find the keyboard in the list, tap it, and select Uninstall.

You cannot uninstall your phone's default keyboard (usually Gboard or Samsung Keyboard), but you can disable it if you've installed another one. To disable it, go to Settings > System > Virtual keyboard, find the default keyboard in the list, and tap Disable. This removes it from your keyboard switcher but keeps it on your phone in case you need it later.

Troubleshooting keyboard problems

If a keyboard you installed isn't showing up in your Settings list, the installation may not have completed. Go back to the Play Store, find the keyboard, and check whether it says Install or Installed. If it says Install, tap it again. If it says Installed but the keyboard still doesn't appear in Settings, restart your phone and check again.

If a keyboard is active but won't appear when you tap a text field, try switching to a different keyboard through Settings, then switch back. If the keyboard still won't work, uninstall it and reinstall it from the Play Store. For keyboards that came pre-installed (like Gboard), you can try clearing the app's cache by going to Settings > Apps > [keyboard name] > Storage > Clear cache, then restart your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple keyboards on the same Android phone?

Yes. You can install as many keyboards as you want from the Google Play Store and switch between them at any time. Only one keyboard can be active at a time, but you can change which one is active through Settings or by tapping the keyboard icon while typing.

Will changing my keyboard affect my saved passwords or text messages?

No. Changing your keyboard does not affect any data on your phone. Your passwords, messages, and personal information remain exactly as they were. The keyboard is just the tool you use to type—it doesn't store or change your data.

What if my phone doesn't have a keyboard I want to use?

read it from the Google Play Store. Almost every popular keyboard is available there for free. Search by name, install it, then enable it through Settings. If you can't find a specific keyboard in the Play Store, it may not be compatible with your version of Android.

Can I get my old keyboard back if I switch to a new one?

Yes. Go back to Settings > System > Virtual keyboard and select your old keyboard from the list. If you uninstalled it, you can reinstall it from the Google Play Store first, then enable it the same way.

Do I need to restart my phone after changing keyboards?

No. The change takes effect when ready. The next time you open a text field, your new keyboard will appear. You don't need to restart or close any apps.