The fastest way to change your keyboard

Open any app where you type — Messages, Notes, Mail, or the search bar. Tap the text field to bring up the keyboard. Look at the bottom left of the keyboard for a globe icon (it looks like a small world). Press and hold that globe icon for about one second. A menu will pop up showing all the keyboards you have installed on your phone. Tap the one you want to use.

That's the quickest switch. But if you don't see a globe icon, or if you want to add new keyboards to choose from, you'll need to go into Settings first.

Key Takeaways

  • The globe icon at the bottom left of your keyboard lets you switch between installed keyboards when ready without opening Settings.
  • You must add a keyboard in Settings before you can use it — just having it on your phone doesn't make it available for typing.
  • Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards to see what you have installed and add new ones.
  • Third-party keyboards like Gboard or SwiftKey work the same way as Apple's built-in options once you add them.
  • You can remove keyboards you don't use by swiping left on them in the Keyboards list.

Adding a new keyboard through Settings

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Tap General, then scroll down and tap Keyboard. You'll see a section called Keyboards with a list of keyboards already on your phone — usually just English and Emoji by default.

Tap Add New Keyboard at the bottom of that list. A menu appears showing every keyboard language and type available on your phone. Scroll through and tap the one you want. If you want a keyboard in a different language — Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, or dozens of others — you'll find them all here. Tap it once to add it.

The keyboard is now installed. Go back to any text field and press the globe icon to switch to it.

Installing third-party keyboards from the App Store

Apple's built-in keyboards are reliable, but you can also use keyboards made by other companies. Gboard (made by Google), SwiftKey, Grammarly, and others are available free or paid in the App Store. Open the App Store, search for the keyboard you want, and tap Get, then Install. You'll need to use Face ID or your Apple ID password to confirm.

After installation, the app opens. Most third-party keyboards ask you to go back to Settings to finish turning them on. Open Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and you'll see the app name in the list. Tap it to add it.

Then you may see a prompt asking you to allow "full access" to the keyboard. This is normal — third-party keyboards need this permission to work properly. Tap Allow if you trust the app. Once you do, the keyboard works the same way as Apple's: press the globe icon to switch to it.

Removing keyboards you don't use

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. You'll see your full list. Swipe left on any keyboard you want to remove, and a red Delete button appears. Tap it. The keyboard is gone and won't show up in your globe menu anymore.

You can always add it back the same way you added it the first time, so there's no harm in removing keyboards you rarely use.

Why the globe icon isn't showing

If you only have one keyboard installed, the globe icon won't appear — there's nothing to switch to. Add a second keyboard in Settings, and the globe will show up when ready.

If you have multiple keyboards but still don't see the globe, try tapping the space bar and holding it for a moment. On some older iPhones or in certain apps, this brings up the keyboard switcher instead. If that doesn't work, restart your phone and try again.

Changing your default keyboard

Your "default" keyboard is the one that appears first when you open a text field. You can't change which keyboard opens by default in Settings — iOS always opens your most recently used keyboard. To change it, straightforward use a different keyboard for a few days. Whichever one you use most often will become the default.

If you want a specific keyboard to be ready when you start typing, switch to it before you close an app, then open that app again. It will remember your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple languages on the same keyboard?

Yes. When you add a keyboard, you can add the same keyboard type in multiple languages. For example, you can add English and Spanish as separate entries in your Keyboards list, then switch between them using the globe icon. Some keyboards also let you type in multiple languages without switching.

Do third-party keyboards cost money?

Most are free, but some charge a one-time fee or a subscription. Check the App Store listing before you read. Free keyboards usually have optional paid features, but the basic typing works without paying.

Will a third-party keyboard slow down my phone?

No. Keyboards run only when you're actively typing, and modern iPhones handle them easily. If a keyboard feels slow or buggy, you can delete it and try a different one.

What's the difference between the globe icon and the space bar hold?

The globe icon is the standard way to switch keyboards on newer iPhones. Holding the space bar is an older method that still works on some devices and apps. Both do the same thing — they let you pick a different keyboard without leaving the text field.

Can I customize how my keyboard looks?

Apple's keyboards have limited customization — you can change the keyboard color in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboard Settings, but options are basic. Third-party keyboards often have more appearance options. Check the app's settings after you install it.