You can switch to a different keyboard on iPhone through Settings, and the choice matters because third-party keyboards can access everything you type

To change your keyboard on iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then tap Add New Keyboard and select from the list. Once added, you can switch between keyboards while typing by holding down the globe icon (or space bar) on the keyboard itself. The keyboard you use most often should be the one you trust most, because iOS gives keyboards broad access to what you type — including passwords, messages, and search queries — before your phone encrypts them.

Apple's built-in keyboard does not send your typing anywhere. Third-party keyboards like Gboard, SwiftKey, or Grammarly can offer features the standard keyboard does not: better autocorrect, emoji search, gesture typing, or grammar checking. But each one is a separate app that can see your keystrokes in real time. Even if a keyboard company says it does not store or sell your data, the technical reality is that your phone has already handed your typing to that app before you hit send.

Key Takeaways

  • Third-party keyboards on iPhone can see everything you type, including passwords and private messages, before encryption happens.
  • You add a new keyboard in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, then switch between them by tapping the globe icon while typing.
  • Apple's built-in keyboard keeps your typing on your device; third-party keyboards send it to their servers, even if only temporarily.
  • If you use a third-party keyboard, check its privacy policy and disable "Full Access" in Settings if the keyboard does not need it.

What "Full Access" means and why it matters

When you add a third-party keyboard, iOS asks whether to grant it Full Access. This permission lets the keyboard see everything you type across all apps — not just in the keyboard itself. Without Full Access, a keyboard can only function in the Notes app or Messages; with it, the keyboard can see your passwords, banking information, and private conversations in real time.

Many third-party keyboards request Full Access because they need it to work properly — autocorrect across all apps, for example, or syncing your personal dictionary. But you should check whether the keyboard actually needs it. If you use Gboard only for emoji search and gesture typing, Full Access is not necessary. If you use Grammarly for grammar checking across email and documents, it probably is. The trade-off is yours to make, but make it consciously.

To see which keyboards have Full Access, go to Settings > Privacy > Full Access. You will see a list of keyboards and other apps with this permission. You can toggle Full Access off for any keyboard at any time — the keyboard will still work, but only in limited contexts.

How to switch keyboards while typing

Once you have added a second keyboard, switching between them is quick. While you are typing in any app, look at the bottom left of the keyboard. You will see a globe icon (or on some keyboards, a space bar with a globe). Press and hold that icon, and a menu will appear showing all your active keyboards. Tap the one you want to use.

You can also set a default keyboard — the one that appears first when you open a text field. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit, then drag the keyboard you want to the top of the list. This does not prevent you from switching to another keyboard; it just sets which one loads first.

Removing a keyboard you no longer use

If you add a keyboard and decide you do not want it, removing it is straightforward. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit, then tap the red minus sign next to the keyboard you want to remove. Tap Delete to confirm.

Removing a keyboard from your keyboard list does not uninstall the app itself — the app remains on your phone. If you want to fully remove the app and all its data, you need to delete it separately by holding down the app icon on your home screen and selecting Remove App > Delete App. This step is worth taking if you are concerned about the app's access to your data or if you straightforward do not use it anymore.

Privacy policies and what they actually tell you

Before you add a third-party keyboard, look at its privacy policy. A good one will tell you what data the keyboard collects, whether it stores your keystrokes, how long it keeps them, and whether it shares them with other companies. A vague policy that says "we do not sell your data" without explaining what happens to your typing is a reason to hesitate.

Keep in mind that a privacy policy describes what a company says it does, not what it is technically capable of doing. A keyboard with Full Access can see your passwords whether or not the policy says it does. The policy is a signal of how seriously the company takes privacy, but it is not a may provide. If a keyboard is free and you are not paying for it, the company is making money some other way — often by analyzing your typing patterns, even if they do not sell the raw text itself.

When to use the built-in keyboard instead

Apple's keyboard is not the fanciest option. It does not have gesture typing, and its autocorrect is not as aggressive as some third-party options. But it has one major advantage: it never leaves your phone. Your typing stays encrypted on your device, and Apple does not see it unless you explicitly use a feature like Siri or iCloud Sync.

If you type passwords, banking information, or highly sensitive messages, the built-in keyboard is the safer choice. If you type mostly casual messages and do not mind a company analyzing your typing patterns, a third-party keyboard with useful features might be worth the trade-off. The decision depends on your own risk tolerance and what you are typing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different keyboards in different apps?

No. You set one keyboard as your default, and you can switch to another keyboard while typing, but you cannot assign a specific keyboard to a specific app. You have to manually switch each time you want to use a different one.

Does Apple see what I type on the built-in keyboard?

No, unless you use a feature that requires it — like Siri, iCloud Sync, or Dictation. If you turn off those features, your typing stays on your device and encrypted. Apple does not have access to it.

What happens to my data if I delete a third-party keyboard app?

The app is removed from your phone, and the company can no longer collect new data from your typing. However, data the company already collected before you deleted the app remains on their servers unless you contact them and ask them to delete it.

Is Gboard safer than the built-in keyboard?

Gboard is made by Google and has Full Access to your typing by default. Google's privacy policy says it does not store the text you type, but it does analyze patterns and may use that data for other Google services. The built-in keyboard does not send your typing anywhere, so it is more private — but Gboard offers features the built-in keyboard does not.

Can I turn off Full Access for a keyboard that needs it?

Yes, but the keyboard may not work properly. Try turning it off and testing the keyboard in different apps. If it stops working the way you need it to, you can turn Full Access back on. The choice is yours to make based on what you actually use the keyboard for.