The fastest way to switch keyboards

To change your keyboard on Android, open any app where you type — Messages, Gmail, a note-taking app — and tap and hold the space bar until a menu appears. Select Languages and input or Input method from that menu. You will see a list of keyboards installed on your phone. Tap the one you want to use, and it becomes your default when ready.

If that menu does not appear when you hold the space bar, go to Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard or On-screen keyboard. The exact path varies by phone brand — Samsung calls it Keyboard list and default, while Google Pixel uses Gboard settings. Tap the keyboard you want, and confirm the change.

You can also switch keyboards mid-typing without changing your default. While typing, look for a keyboard icon in the bottom corner of your keyboard (usually near the space bar) and tap it to cycle through your installed keyboards. This is useful if you want to keep your main keyboard but occasionally use another one.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest method is to hold the space bar while typing and select a different keyboard from the menu that appears.
  • If the space bar menu does not work, go to Settings > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard and choose your preferred keyboard there.
  • You can switch keyboards temporarily while typing by tapping the keyboard icon in the bottom corner without changing your default.
  • Popular alternative keyboards include Gboard (Google's keyboard), SwiftKey, and Grammarly, all available free from the Google Play Store.
  • Some keyboards require you to enable them in Settings before they appear as an option to switch to.

Installing a new keyboard before you switch

If the keyboard you want is not already on your phone, you need to install it first. Open the Google Play Store and search for the keyboard by name — Gboard, SwiftKey, Grammarly, or whatever you want to try. Tap Install and wait for the read to finish.

After installation, the keyboard will not automatically become your default. You must enable it in Settings before you can use it. Go to Settings > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard and look for the keyboard you just installed. Tap it and select Enable or Turn on. Once enabled, you can switch to it using the space bar method or the Settings menu.

Some keyboards ask for permission to access your typing data, clipboard, or personal dictionary when you first enable them. Read what they are asking for — if you do not want to grant those permissions, you can still use the keyboard, but some features may not work. You can change permissions later in Settings > Apps > the keyboard name > Permissions.

Where to find your keyboard settings

The location of keyboard settings depends on your phone brand. On a Google Pixel, go to Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard. On a Samsung phone, it is Settings > General management > Keyboard list and default. On other brands, look under Settings > Languages and input or Input methods.

Once you are in the keyboard settings, you will see a list of all keyboards currently installed on your phone. The one with a checkmark or highlighted in a different color is your current default. Tap any other keyboard to switch to it. Some phones show a Set as default button you need to tap to confirm the change.

If you want to remove a keyboard you no longer use, tap and hold it in the list (or look for a menu icon next to it) and select Uninstall or Remove. This frees up storage space but does not affect your ability to type — your default keyboard will remain active.

Common keyboards and what they offer

Gboard is Google's keyboard and comes pre-installed on most Android phones. It includes voice typing, emoji search, and the ability to search the web without leaving your keyboard. SwiftKey learns your typing patterns and predicts words based on your writing style. Grammarly checks spelling and grammar as you type and suggests better word choices. Fleksy is designed for one-handed typing and offers customizable themes.

Each keyboard has a different feel and set of features. Gboard is fast and lightweight. SwiftKey is best if you want strong word prediction. Grammarly is best if you write a lot and want grammar checking. Fleksy works well if you have limited hand mobility or prefer typing with one hand. Most are free, though some offer paid versions with extra features.

You can install multiple keyboards and switch between them depending on what you are doing. Many people keep Gboard as their default for speed but switch to Grammarly when writing emails or longer messages. Try a few and see which one feels most natural to you.

Troubleshooting when a keyboard will not switch

If you tap a keyboard in Settings but it does not become active, the keyboard may not be fully enabled. Go back to Settings > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard and look for a toggle or checkbox next to the keyboard name. Make sure it is turned on. Some phones require you to tap the keyboard name itself to enable it before you can set it as default.

If a keyboard you installed does not appear in the list at all, the installation may have failed. Open the Google Play Store, search for the keyboard, and check whether it says Install or Installed. If it says Install, the app did not finish downloading. Tap Install again and wait for it to complete. If it says Installed, uninstall it and reinstall it from scratch.

If you accidentally disabled your default keyboard and now cannot type, tap the keyboard icon in the bottom corner of your screen (if visible) to see a list of active keyboards. If no keyboard icon appears, restart your phone. When it boots up, your last active keyboard should be available again, and you can switch to a different one through Settings.

Using multiple keyboards at the same time

You can have several keyboards installed and enabled at once. This is useful if you type in multiple languages or want to switch between different keyboard styles depending on what you are doing. Enable all the keyboards you want in Settings > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard, then use the keyboard icon at the bottom of your screen to cycle through them while typing.

Some keyboards let you add multiple languages within a single keyboard app. Gboard, for example, allows you to enable English, Spanish, and French all in one keyboard and switch between them by swiping the space bar. This is faster than switching between entirely different keyboard apps if you are multilingual.

Your default keyboard is the one that opens when you start typing. The others remain available but inactive until you switch to them. You can change your default at any time by going back to Settings and selecting a different keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use two keyboards at the same time?

No, only one keyboard can be active at a time. However, you can have multiple keyboards installed and enabled, and switch between them when ready by tapping the keyboard icon while typing or by changing your default in Settings. Many people keep two or three keyboards enabled and switch based on what they are typing.

Will changing my keyboard delete my messages or data?

No. Changing your keyboard only changes which app handles your typing. Your messages, contacts, photos, and all other data remain untouched. You can switch keyboards as many times as you want without losing anything.

What if my keyboard does not have the language I need?

Most keyboards, including Gboard and SwiftKey, support dozens of languages. When you enable a keyboard in Settings, look for a Languages option within that keyboard's settings. Tap it and add the language you need. If the keyboard does not support your language, try a different keyboard from the Google Play Store.

Do I need to pay for a different keyboard?

Most keyboards are free to read and use. Gboard, SwiftKey, Grammarly, and Fleksy all have free versions. Some offer paid versions with extra features like advanced themes or premium grammar checking, but the free versions work well for everyday typing.

Why does my keyboard keep switching back to the old one?

This usually happens if you did not fully enable the new keyboard before setting it as default. Go to Settings, find the keyboard you want, and make sure there is a checkmark or toggle next to it showing it is enabled. Then tap it again to set it as default. If it keeps reverting, restart your phone and try again.