The fastest way to change your Android keyboard

To change your Android keyboard, go to Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard or On-screen keyboard. Tap Manage keyboards, turn on the keyboard you want to use, then return to the same menu and select Default keyboard. Choose the new keyboard from the list. The exact path varies slightly by manufacturer — Samsung phones may show Settings > General management > Language and input — but the principle is the same.

If the keyboard you want is not already installed, you must read it first from the Google Play Store. Search for the keyboard by name, install it, then follow the steps above to enable it and set it as default. Most keyboards ask for permission to access your typing when you first set up them; you can review what each one requests before you confirm.

Key Takeaways

  • Android keyboards are changed through Settings under Languages and input or Language and input, depending on your phone's manufacturer.
  • You must turn on a keyboard in the Manage keyboards menu before you can set it as your default.
  • New keyboards must be downloaded from Google Play Store first if they are not already on your phone.
  • Each keyboard asks for permissions when you set up it; review these before you confirm to understand what data it can access.

Where to find the keyboard settings on different Android phones

The location of keyboard settings depends on which version of Android you have and which manufacturer made your phone. On stock Android (the version closest to Google's original), the path is Settings > System > Languages and input > Virtual keyboard. On Samsung devices, look for Settings > General management > Language and input. On Google Pixel phones, the path is usually Settings > System > Languages and input.

If you cannot find the exact menu, use your phone's search function. Open Settings and look for a search bar at the top (most Android phones have one). Type "keyboard" or "virtual keyboard" and the system will show you the correct menu. This method works on nearly all Android devices and saves time if your phone's layout is unfamiliar.

How to read a new keyboard from Google Play Store

Open the Google Play Store app on your phone and search for the keyboard you want — common options include Gboard, SwiftKey, Grammarly Keyboard, and Fleksy. Read the description and reviews to confirm it is the official version and not a copy. Tap Install and wait for the read to finish. The app will then ask for permissions; review what it requests before you tap Install again to confirm.

After installation, the keyboard does not automatically become active. You must go back to your keyboard settings, find Manage keyboards, and toggle the new keyboard on. Only then can you set it as your default. Some keyboards also ask you to complete a setup wizard the first time you use them, which may include choosing a theme or language.

Switching between multiple keyboards without changing your default

If you have more than one keyboard installed and enabled, you can switch between them while typing without changing your default. When you tap in a text field, a keyboard will appear. Look for a keyboard icon or globe icon in the bottom row of keys — this is usually located near the space bar. Tap it once to cycle to your next enabled keyboard, or hold it down to see a list of all active keyboards and choose one directly.

This feature is useful if you use multiple languages or prefer different keyboards for different tasks. For example, you might use Gboard for everyday typing and SwiftKey for writing longer messages. You do not have to change your default keyboard setting each time; the cycle button lets you switch on the fly.

Removing a keyboard you no longer want

To remove a keyboard, go to Settings > Languages and input (or the equivalent on your phone) > Manage keyboards. Find the keyboard you want to remove and toggle it off. The keyboard will no longer appear in your list of available keyboards, though the app itself remains installed on your phone.

If you want to delete the keyboard app entirely, go to Settings > Apps, find the keyboard in the list, and tap Uninstall. Note that you cannot uninstall your phone's default keyboard — you must switch to a different default first, then uninstall the old one. If you try to uninstall your current default, the system will show an error or an Uninstall button that is grayed out.

What permissions keyboards typically ask for

When you enable a new keyboard, Android requires it to request permission to access your typing. This is a security feature — the system is telling you that the keyboard app can see everything you type. Most keyboards ask for access to your device's microphone (for voice typing), clipboard (to paste text), and sometimes your contacts or location (for autocomplete or predictive features).

Review these permissions before you confirm. If a keyboard asks for access to your photos, call history, or other data that seems unrelated to typing, you can still install it, but you may want to read recent user reviews first to understand why it needs that access. You can also change permissions later by going to Settings > Apps, finding the keyboard, and tapping Permissions.

Troubleshooting: keyboard not showing up or not working

If a keyboard you installed does not appear in your Manage keyboards list, restart your phone. Sometimes the system does not register a new app until you reboot. If it still does not appear, go to Settings > Apps and search for the keyboard by name to confirm it installed correctly. If the app is there but not in your keyboard list, try uninstalling and reinstalling it.

If a keyboard is enabled but does not appear when you tap a text field, check that it is actually set as your default. Go back to Default keyboard in your keyboard settings and confirm the correct one is selected. If you see a different keyboard appear, you may have accidentally set the wrong one as default. If the keyboard appears but typing feels slow or unresponsive, try restarting the app or your phone, or check if the keyboard developer has released an update in the Google Play Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple keyboards at the same time?

Yes. You can enable as many keyboards as you want in the Manage keyboards menu, and switch between them while typing using the keyboard icon near the space bar. Only one can be your default, but you can cycle through the others without changing your settings.

Will changing my keyboard affect my saved passwords or autocorrect data?

No. Your passwords are stored by your browser or password manager, not by the keyboard itself. Autocorrect data is usually tied to each keyboard app separately, so switching keyboards means you start with that keyboard's default dictionary. Some keyboards let you back up your personal dictionary to the cloud so you can restore it if you reinstall.

What if I want to go back to my phone's original keyboard?

Your phone's original keyboard is usually still installed and enabled. Go to Settings > Languages and input > Default keyboard and select it from the list. If you cannot find it, it may be called "Android Keyboard", "Samsung Keyboard", or "Gboard" depending on your phone's manufacturer.

Do I need to pay for a different keyboard?

Most popular keyboards are free to read from Google Play Store, though some offer paid versions with extra features. You can try any free keyboard without spending money. Read the listing carefully to see whether the version you are looking at is free or paid.

Why does my new keyboard keep asking for permissions every time I use it?

This usually means you denied a permission when you first installed it, and the keyboard is asking again. Go to Settings > Apps, find the keyboard, tap Permissions, and grant the ones it needs. If you do not want to grant a permission, the keyboard will continue to ask, but it should still work for basic typing.