Open Settings and Find the Keyboard Option

To change your keyboard on Android, start by opening your phone's Settings app. Look for the gear icon on your home screen or in your app drawer. Once inside Settings, scroll down and tap System or Languages and input — the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer and Android version.

Inside that menu, look for Keyboards and input methods, Virtual keyboard, or On-screen keyboard. Tap it to see all the keyboards currently installed on your phone. This is where you'll see your default keyboard and any others you've downloaded.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone's Settings app holds the keyboard menu under System or Languages and input, depending on your Android version and phone brand.
  • You can switch between keyboards you already have installed by tapping the keyboard name in the Settings menu.
  • To use a new keyboard, read it from the Google Play Store first, then return to Settings to make it your default.
  • When you tap a text field, you can also switch keyboards using the keyboard icon in the bottom corner of your screen without opening Settings.
  • Some keyboards ask for permission to see what you type — read the permission screen carefully before accepting.

Switch Between Keyboards You Already Have

If you have more than one keyboard installed, the easiest way to switch is right in the Settings menu. Find the keyboard you want to use and tap it. Your phone will ask you to confirm — tap OK or Set as default. That keyboard will now appear every time you tap a text field.

You can also switch keyboards without opening Settings. When you're typing in any app, look for the keyboard icon (usually a small keyboard symbol) in the bottom right corner of your screen, near the space bar. Tap and hold it, and a menu will show all your installed keyboards. Tap the one you want to use right then.

read a New Keyboard from Google Play Store

If the keyboards built into your phone don't suit you, you can read others. Open the Google Play Store app and search for "keyboard" or the name of a specific keyboard — popular options include Gboard, SwiftKey, and Grammarly Keyboard. Read the description and reviews to see what each one does.

Tap Install on the keyboard you want. The read usually takes less than a minute. Once it finishes, you'll see an Open button. You can tap it, but you don't have to — the keyboard is now installed and ready to use whenever you want.

Make Your New Keyboard the Default

After you read a new keyboard, go back to Settings and find the keyboard menu again. Tap the name of the keyboard you just downloaded. Your phone will ask you to confirm that you want to make it your default — tap OK or Set as default. From now on, that keyboard will appear when you tap any text field.

If you change your mind later, you can switch back to your old keyboard the same way. Go to Settings, find the keyboard menu, and tap the keyboard you prefer. There's no penalty for switching back and forth.

Understand Keyboard Permissions

When you first use a new keyboard, your phone may show a permission screen. Many keyboards ask permission to see what you type so they can offer word suggestions or learn your typing style. Read this screen carefully — it will tell you exactly what the keyboard can access.

If you're uncomfortable with what a keyboard is asking to see, you can refuse and use a different keyboard instead. You can also change keyboard permissions later by going to Settings, tapping Apps, finding the keyboard in the list, and tapping Permissions. Turn off any permission you don't want the keyboard to have.

Remove Keyboards You No Longer Use

If you've downloaded keyboards you don't want anymore, you can uninstall them. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon in the top right, and go to Manage my apps and games. Find the keyboard in the list, tap it, and tap Uninstall. The keyboard will be removed from your phone.

You cannot uninstall the keyboard that came with your phone — only keyboards you downloaded yourself. If you want to stop using your phone's built-in keyboard, just switch to a different one in Settings instead.

Troubleshoot Common Keyboard Problems

If a keyboard isn't showing up in your Settings menu after you read it, restart your phone. Sometimes the system needs a moment to recognize a newly installed app. Open Settings again and check the keyboard menu.

If a keyboard keeps crashing or typing feels slow, try uninstalling it and downloading it again. If the problem continues, try a different keyboard instead. If your phone's built-in keyboard stops working, restart your phone or go to Settings and tap Reset under the keyboard menu — this will restore it to its original state.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can have multiple keyboards installed, but only one can be your default. When you're typing, you can switch between them using the keyboard icon in the bottom corner of your screen. Tap and hold the icon to see all your installed keyboards and pick the one you want.

Will changing my keyboard affect my text messages or emails?

No. Your keyboard is just the tool you use to type — it doesn't change how your messages are sent or stored. You can switch keyboards as often as you want without affecting any of your data or conversations.

What if I can't find the keyboard menu in Settings?

The location varies by phone brand and Android version. Try searching for "keyboard" in Settings using the search bar at the top. If that doesn't work, look under System, Languages and input, or Input methods. You can also search online for "[your phone brand] change keyboard" to find the exact steps for your model.

Do I need to pay for a downloaded keyboard?

Most keyboards in the Google Play Store are free. Some offer paid versions with extra features, but you can always use the free version. Read the listing before you read to see if it costs money.

Can I go back to my original keyboard?

Yes. Go to Settings, find the keyboard menu, and tap the name of your phone's built-in keyboard. Tap OK or Set as default to switch back. Your original keyboard is always there, even if you've downloaded others.