Where to find and change your keyboard

Your Android phone comes with a default keyboard, but you can switch to a different one in Settings. The steps are the same on most Android phones: open Settings, find Language & Input (or Input Methods on older phones), select Virtual Keyboard or On-Screen Keyboard, and choose which keyboard you want to use as your default.

Once you set a new keyboard as default, it will appear whenever you tap a text field — in messages, email, search boxes, or any app that needs typing. You can switch back to your original keyboard the same way, or change your default keyboard again at any time.

Some phones put this setting in a slightly different place. Samsung phones label it "Keyboard List and Default" under Settings > General Management > Language and Input. Google Pixel phones call it "Gboard" or "Virtual Keyboard" under Settings > System > Languages & Input. If you cannot find it, search "keyboard" in your Settings app — most phones will jump you straight there.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Language & Input (or Input Methods), and tap Virtual Keyboard to see all installed keyboards and pick your default.
  • Your default keyboard appears in every text field, but you can also switch keyboards mid-typing by holding the space bar or tapping the keyboard icon.
  • read new keyboards from the Google Play Store — popular options include Gboard, SwiftKey, and Grammarly — and they will appear in your keyboard list once installed.
  • Removing a keyboard from your phone is done the same way you remove any app: long-press it in the Play Store and select Uninstall, or go to Settings > Apps and uninstall from there.

How to read and install a new keyboard

If you want a keyboard other than the one that came with your phone, open the Google Play Store, search for the keyboard by name, and tap Install. Popular keyboards include Gboard (Google's own keyboard with built-in search and emoji), SwiftKey (known for learning your typing style), Grammarly (which checks spelling and grammar), and Swype (which lets you slide your finger across letters instead of tapping).

Once the keyboard finishes installing, it will show up in your keyboard list in Settings. You do not need to do anything else — just go back to Language & Input and set it as your default. If you want to try multiple keyboards before deciding on one, install them all and switch between them as often as you like.

Switching keyboards without changing your default

You do not have to change your default keyboard every time you want to use a different one. Most Android keyboards include a keyboard switcher button — usually a small globe icon or arrow at the bottom of the keyboard. Tap it and your keyboard will switch to the next one on your list.

On some keyboards, you can also long-press the space bar to see all your installed keyboards and pick one without leaving the text field. This is faster than going into Settings if you switch keyboards often.

What to do if your new keyboard does not appear

If you installed a keyboard from the Play Store but it does not show up in your keyboard list, restart your phone first — sometimes Android needs a moment to register a new app. If it still does not appear, go to Settings > Apps, find the keyboard by name, and make sure it is not disabled. Some phones disable newly installed apps by default.

If the keyboard is installed and enabled but still missing from your list, uninstall it and reinstall it. Open the Play Store, search for the keyboard, and tap Uninstall. Then search for it again and tap Install. This usually fixes the problem.

Removing keyboards you no longer want

To delete a keyboard from your phone, open the Google Play Store, search for the keyboard by name, and tap Uninstall. The keyboard will disappear from your keyboard list in Settings. You can reinstall it later if you change your mind.

If you want to keep the keyboard installed but just stop using it, you can disable it instead. Go to Settings > Apps, find the keyboard, tap it, and select Disable. It will stay on your phone but will not appear in your keyboard list. This is useful if you think you might want to use it again later.

Keyboards that come built in versus ones you read

Every Android phone includes at least one keyboard already installed — usually Gboard on newer phones, or a manufacturer keyboard on older ones. These built-in keyboards cannot be uninstalled, only disabled. If you disable your phone's default keyboard, you must have another keyboard enabled, or you will not be able to type.

Downloaded keyboards from the Play Store can be uninstalled completely. They take up storage space on your phone, so if you are not using a keyboard anymore, uninstalling it frees up that space. Built-in keyboards use very little space and are usually worth keeping enabled as a backup.

Troubleshooting keyboards that freeze or crash

If a keyboard keeps freezing, crashing, or acting slowly, the fastest fix is to switch to a different keyboard and then uninstall the broken one. If you want to keep using it, try clearing its cache: go to Settings > Apps, find the keyboard, tap Storage, and select Clear Cache. This removes temporary files the keyboard stored and often fixes performance problems.

If clearing the cache does not work, uninstall the keyboard and reinstall it fresh from the Play Store. If the problem happens again, the keyboard may not be compatible with your phone or Android version. Check the Play Store listing — it will show which Android versions the keyboard supports. If your phone is older than the minimum version listed, you may need to use a different keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can have multiple keyboards installed and enabled, but only one can be your default. You switch between them using the globe icon on the keyboard itself or by long-pressing the space bar. This lets you use different keyboards for different tasks without changing your default each time.

Will changing my keyboard affect my text messages or emails?

No. Changing your keyboard only changes how you type — it does not affect what you have already written or how your messages appear to other people. The text itself stays the same no matter which keyboard you use to type it.

Do I need to pay for a keyboard from the Play Store?

Most keyboards are free to read. Some offer paid versions with extra features, but the free version is usually enough for everyday typing. Read the Play Store listing to see what features come with the free version and what costs money.

What happens to my keyboard if I factory reset my phone?

A factory reset removes all downloaded keyboards and returns your phone to its original keyboard. Your built-in keyboard will still be there. If you want to use a downloaded keyboard again after a factory reset, you will need to reinstall it from the Play Store.

Can I use a keyboard from a different phone brand on my Android?

If the keyboard is available in the Google Play Store, yes. Most major keyboards like Gboard, SwiftKey, and Grammarly work on any Android phone. Keyboards made only for Samsung or other specific brands may not be available in the Play Store for other phones, but you can check by searching for them.