What changing your keyboard means and why you might do it
Changing your keyboard means switching which language, layout, or input method your device uses when you type. This is different from plugging in a physical keyboard — you are telling your operating system to interpret your keystrokes differently. You might do this because you type in multiple languages, because you want a layout like Dvorak instead of QWERTY, or because you need a keyboard designed for accessibility.
The process is straightforward on every major platform, but the exact steps differ. Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android all store keyboard settings in different places, and each one lets you switch between keyboards while you type. Once you add a second keyboard, you can toggle between them without restarting your device.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Time & Language, then Language, and add a new keyboard under your preferred language.
- On Mac, open System Settings, click Keyboard, then Input Sources, and check the box next to each keyboard you want available.
- On iPhone, go to Settings, Keyboard, Keyboards, and tap Add New Keyboard to choose from dozens of languages and layouts.
- On Android, open Settings, System, Languages and Input, and tap Virtual Keyboard to read or enable alternative keyboards.
- Once you add a keyboard, a language or input switcher appears on your screen so you can toggle between them while typing.
Changing your keyboard on Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. On the left sidebar, click Time & Language. Then click Language & Region on the left side.
Under your current language (usually English), click the three dots next to it and select Language Options. Scroll down to the Keyboards section. Click Add a Keyboard and choose the layout you want — QWERTY, Dvorak, Colemak, or another language entirely. Windows will add it to your list when ready.
Once you have added a second keyboard, a language switcher appears in your system tray (the bottom right corner of your screen). Click it to toggle between keyboards, or use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Space to switch when ready. You can remove a keyboard by going back to the same Keyboards section, clicking the one you want to remove, and selecting Delete.
Changing your keyboard on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Click Keyboard on the left sidebar. Then click Input Sources.
You will see a list of keyboards already available. Check the box next to each one you want to use. If you do not see the keyboard you want, click the plus sign at the bottom left, choose a language or layout from the list, and click Add.
Once you have multiple keyboards, a flag or language icon appears in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Click it to switch keyboards, or press Control + Space to toggle between them. If you want to remove a keyboard, uncheck its box in the Input Sources list, or select it and click the minus sign.
Changing your keyboard on iPhone
Open the Settings app and tap Keyboard. Then tap Keyboards. You will see a list of keyboards already installed — usually just English.
Tap Add New Keyboard. A long list appears showing every language and keyboard layout available. Scroll to find the one you want, tap it, and it is added to your list. You can add as many as you need.
When you open any app that lets you type — Messages, Mail, Notes — a globe icon appears on your keyboard. Tap it to cycle through your keyboards, or hold it down to see all available options at once. To remove a keyboard, go back to the Keyboards list, tap Edit in the top left, tap the red minus sign next to the keyboard you want to remove, and tap Delete.
Changing your keyboard on Android
Open Settings and tap System. Then tap Languages and Input. Tap Virtual Keyboard or On-Screen Keyboard (the exact name varies by phone maker).
You will see a list of keyboards installed on your device. The default is usually Google Keyboard or your phone maker's keyboard. To add a new one, tap Manage Keyboards or read Keyboards. Browse the available options — Gboard, SwiftKey, and others support dozens of languages and layouts. Tap the one you want, then tap Install or Enable.
Once you have multiple keyboards, hold down the space bar while typing to see a keyboard switcher, or look for a keyboard icon in your notification bar. Tap it to change keyboards. To remove a keyboard, go back to the Virtual Keyboard list, find the one you want to disable, and tap the toggle to turn it off.
Switching between keyboards while you type
Every platform puts a switcher within one or two taps of your keyboard. On Windows and Mac, it lives in your system tray or menu bar. On iPhone, it is the globe icon on the keyboard itself. On Android, it is usually a long-press on the space bar or an icon in your notification area.
You do not have to restart your device or close any apps to switch keyboards. The change takes effect when ready. If you find yourself switching keyboards constantly, you can rearrange the order they appear in — most platforms let you drag keyboards up and down in the settings list so your most-used one comes first.
Troubleshooting keyboards that do not appear or work
If you added a keyboard but it does not show up in your switcher, restart your device. Sometimes the operating system does not register a new keyboard until you reboot.
If a keyboard appears but typing produces the wrong characters, you have the right keyboard installed but the wrong one selected. Check your switcher to confirm which keyboard is currently active. On Windows, look at the language code in the system tray (EN for English, FR for French, and so on). On Mac, check the flag icon in the menu bar. On iPhone and Android, the active keyboard is the one that appears when you tap to type.
If you cannot find the keyboard you want in the list, it may not be built into your device. On Android, you can read third-party keyboards from the Google Play Store. On iPhone, you can only use keyboards Apple includes, but the list covers most major languages and layouts. On Windows and Mac, all standard layouts are included, though some regional variants may require you to add a language first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use two keyboards at the same time?
No, but you can switch between them when ready. Only one keyboard is active at any moment. When you switch, your device uses the new keyboard for all typing until you switch again. This is useful if you type in two languages or prefer different layouts for different tasks.
Will changing my keyboard affect my passwords?
Yes, if your password contains characters that are in different places on different keyboards. If your password is "qwerty" on a QWERTY keyboard but you switch to Dvorak before typing it, you will type the wrong characters. Always switch back to the keyboard you used when you created the password before entering it.
What is the difference between a keyboard layout and a keyboard language?
A keyboard language determines which characters appear — English, French, Chinese, and so on. A keyboard layout determines where those characters are positioned — QWERTY, Dvorak, AZERTY. Most languages come with a standard layout, but you can mix them. You can have English QWERTY and English Dvorak as two separate keyboards.
Can I change my keyboard on a borrowed or work device?
Yes, adding a keyboard is a user-level setting that does not require administrator permission on Windows or Mac. On iPhone and Android, it is part of your personal settings. However, if the device is managed by your workplace or school, some settings may be locked. Check with your IT department if you cannot find the keyboard settings.
Do I need to read anything to add a new keyboard?
On Windows and Mac, all standard keyboards are built in — you just enable them. On iPhone, all keyboards are built in. On Android, you may need to read a third-party keyboard app from the Google Play Store if you want something beyond the default option, but basic language keyboards are usually included.