Android lets you install multiple keyboards and switch between them in Settings

You can change which keyboard appears when you type on Android by installing a new keyboard app and setting it as your default. Android comes with a basic keyboard, but you can read others from Google Play Store — like Gboard, SwiftKey, or Grammarly — and switch between them whenever you want. The process takes about two minutes and you keep all your keyboards installed; you are just choosing which one is active.

The keyboard you use matters for privacy and control. Some keyboards log what you type, track your location, or send data to third parties. By understanding how to switch keyboards, you stay in control of which app handles your typing and what it does with that information.

Key Takeaways

  • read a new keyboard from Google Play Store, then go to Settings > System > Languages and input > On-screen keyboard to set it as default.
  • You can keep multiple keyboards installed and switch between them at any time without uninstalling the old one.
  • When you tap a text field, you can also change keyboards mid-typing by holding the spacebar or tapping the keyboard icon in the bottom right corner.
  • Check what permissions each keyboard requests before you install it — avoid keyboards that ask for permission to access your contacts, location, or call history unless you trust the maker.
  • Switching keyboards does not delete your old one; it just stops using it as the default.

read a new keyboard from Google Play Store

Open Google Play Store on your Android phone and search for a keyboard by name. Popular options include Gboard (made by Google), Microsoft SwiftKey, Grammarly Keyboard, or Flesky. Tap the keyboard name in the search results, then tap the blue Install button. Wait for the read to finish — this usually takes less than a minute on a normal internet connection.

Before you tap Install, scroll down and look at the Permissions section. This shows what the keyboard can access on your phone. A basic keyboard only needs permission to access your microphone (for voice typing) and your clipboard (to paste text). If a keyboard asks for permission to access your contacts, location, call history, or photos, think carefully before installing it — that keyboard does not need that information to work, and you should only grant it if you trust the maker completely.

Set your new keyboard as the default

After the keyboard finishes installing, you will see an Open button instead of Install. You do not need to tap it yet. Instead, go to your phone's Settings app and tap System (on some phones this is called General management). Then tap Languages and input.

Look for On-screen keyboard or Virtual keyboard and tap it. You will see a list of all the keyboards you have installed. Tap the name of the keyboard you just downloaded. A checkmark will appear next to it, and it is now your default. The next time you tap a text field to type, your new keyboard will appear instead of the old one.

Switch keyboards while you are typing

You do not have to go back to Settings every time you want to change keyboards. When you are in the middle of typing, look at the bottom right corner of your keyboard — you will see a small keyboard icon or globe icon. Tap it and a menu will pop up showing all your installed keyboards. Tap the one you want to use right now.

On some keyboards, you can also hold down the spacebar to see a list of keyboards and slide your finger to the one you want. This is faster than tapping the icon if you switch keyboards often. Try both methods and use whichever feels easier for you.

Uninstall a keyboard you no longer want

If you install a keyboard and decide you do not like it, you can remove it. Go back to Google Play Store, search for the keyboard by name, and tap it. Instead of an Install button, you will see an Uninstall button. Tap it and confirm. The keyboard is now deleted from your phone.

You can only uninstall keyboards you downloaded. The keyboard that came with your phone (usually called Android Keyboard or the name of your phone maker) cannot be uninstalled, but you can always switch away from it and never use it. If you uninstall a keyboard that was set as your default, Android will automatically switch back to the built-in keyboard until you choose a different one.

Understand what each keyboard does with your data

Different keyboards handle your typing differently. Gboard (Google's keyboard) learns your typing patterns to suggest words faster, and Google stores some of this data on your account. SwiftKey does the same thing with Microsoft. Grammarly checks your grammar and spelling, which means it reads everything you type. Before you set a keyboard as your default, read its privacy policy — you can usually find a link to it on the Google Play Store page.

If you want a keyboard that does not learn from your typing or send data anywhere, look for keyboards labeled offline or privacy-focused. These keyboards work only on your phone and do not sync your data to the internet. They are usually less good at predicting words, but they give you more control over your information.

Troubleshoot if your new keyboard will not appear

If you set a keyboard as default but it still does not show up when you type, go back to Settings > System > Languages and input > On-screen keyboard and check that the keyboard is still marked as default. Sometimes Android resets this setting after an update.

If the keyboard is marked as default but still does not appear, try restarting your phone. Hold the power button until you see a menu, tap Restart, and wait for your phone to turn back on. Then open a text field and try typing again. If it still does not work, uninstall the keyboard from Google Play Store and reinstall it, then set it as default again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use two keyboards at the same time?

No, only one keyboard can be active at a time. You can install as many as you want, but Android uses only the one marked as default. You can switch between them by tapping the keyboard icon while typing or by changing the default in Settings.

Will switching keyboards delete my old keyboard?

No. Switching keyboards only changes which one is active. Your old keyboard stays installed on your phone and you can switch back to it anytime. You have to manually uninstall a keyboard from Google Play Store if you want to remove it completely.

What if I do not see the keyboard icon at the bottom of the screen?

Some keyboards hide the icon if you have only one keyboard installed. Install a second keyboard and the icon will appear. You can also long-press the spacebar on most keyboards to see a menu of installed keyboards.

Do I need to restart my phone after changing keyboards?

Usually no. The new keyboard should appear the next time you tap a text field. If it does not, restart your phone and try again. A restart clears temporary glitches that sometimes prevent the new keyboard from loading.

Can I change the keyboard just for one app?

No, Android does not let you set different keyboards for different apps. The default keyboard you choose in Settings is used everywhere. You can switch keyboards while typing in any app, but you cannot lock a specific keyboard to a specific app.