How to change your keyboard language
You can change your keyboard language in your device settings without affecting the language your operating system displays. The process differs slightly between Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, but each takes under two minutes once you know where to look. Most devices let you switch between languages on the fly — you do not have to restart or log out.
The reason to change keyboard language is straightforward: you may need to type in a language your device does not currently support, or you may want to use a keyboard layout designed for a different language even if you are typing in English. For example, someone might add a French keyboard layout to type accented characters, or add Simplified Chinese to communicate with family.
Key Takeaways
- Windows stores keyboard languages in Settings under Time & Language, and you can switch between them using the language bar or keyboard shortcut.
- Mac users add input sources in System Settings under Keyboard, then switch languages using the input menu in the top menu bar.
- iPhone and iPad users add keyboards in Settings under General, Keyboard, Keyboards, then switch by holding the space bar or tapping the globe icon.
- Android devices add input methods in Settings under System, Languages & Input, then switch using the keyboard switcher that appears when typing.
- Once you add a keyboard language, you can remove it anytime from the same settings menu if you no longer need it.
Adding a keyboard language on Windows
Open Settings and go to Time & Language on the left sidebar. Click Language & Region, then scroll down and click Add a Language. A list of languages appears — find the one you want and click it. Windows will read the language pack, which takes a few seconds to a minute depending on your internet speed.
After the language installs, you will see it listed under Preferred Languages. You do not need to do anything else — the keyboard layout is now available. To switch to it while you are typing, look for the language bar in your taskbar (usually near the clock), click it, and select the language you want. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key and the spacebar together to cycle through your keyboard languages quickly.
If you want to remove a keyboard language later, go back to Time & Language, find the language in your list, click it, and select Remove. This does not affect your system language or any other settings.
Adding a keyboard language on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings. Go to Keyboard, then Input Sources. Click the plus button at the bottom left of the window. A list of languages and keyboard layouts appears — select the one you need and click Add.
Once added, you will see a new input menu in your top menu bar (it looks like a flag or abbreviation). Click it anytime you are typing to switch to your new keyboard language. If you want the input menu to always be visible, make sure "Show Input Menu in Menu Bar" is checked in the same Input Sources window. To remove a keyboard language, go back to Input Sources, select it from the list, and click the minus button.
Adding a keyboard language on iPhone and iPad
Open Settings and go to General. Tap Keyboard, then Keyboards. Tap Add New Keyboard and scroll through the list to find the language you want. Tap it, and if there are multiple layouts for that language, select the one you prefer (for example, QWERTY or AZERTY for French).
When you are typing and want to switch languages, look for the globe icon on your keyboard. Tap it to cycle through your available keyboards, or hold it down to see a list and select one directly. Some keyboards also let you hold the spacebar to switch languages — this depends on the specific keyboard layout. To remove a keyboard, go back to Keyboards, tap Edit in the top left, select the language you want to remove, and tap Delete.
Adding a keyboard language on Android
Open Settings and go to System (or Languages & Input, depending on your Android version). Tap Languages & Input, then Virtual Keyboard or On-Screen Keyboard. Select your keyboard app — most Android devices use Gboard by default. Tap Languages and select Add Keyboard. Choose the language and layout you want from the list.
Once you have added a keyboard language, a keyboard switcher button will appear on your keyboard whenever you are typing. It usually looks like a globe or shows the current language abbreviation. Tap it to switch between your installed keyboards. To remove a keyboard language, go back to Languages in your keyboard settings, find the one you want to delete, and tap the minus icon or Remove option next to it.
Switching between keyboard languages while typing
Each device makes it straightforward to switch languages without stopping what you are doing. On Windows, the quickest method is Windows key plus spacebar — this cycles through your languages in order. On Mac, click the input menu in the top right and select the language you want. On iPhone and iPad, tap the globe icon on your keyboard or hold the spacebar. On Android, tap the globe button on your keyboard.
If you find yourself switching languages constantly, consider pinning your most-used keyboards to the top of your list. On iPhone, you can reorder keyboards by going to Settings, General, Keyboard, Keyboards, Edit, and dragging them into the order you prefer. On Android, some keyboard apps let you reorder languages in the same Languages menu. This puts your most-used keyboard first when you tap the switcher.
Removing a keyboard language you no longer need
You can remove any keyboard language anytime without affecting your device. On Windows, go to Settings, Time & Language, Language & Region, find the language, click it, and select Remove. On Mac, go to System Settings, Keyboard, Input Sources, select the language, and click the minus button. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, Keyboard, Keyboards, tap Edit, select the language, and tap Delete. On Android, go to Settings, System, Languages & Input, Virtual Keyboard, your keyboard app, Languages, and tap the minus icon next to the language.
Removing a keyboard language does not delete any files or change any other settings — it straightforward makes that keyboard unavailable for typing. You can add it back anytime by following the same steps you used to add it the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my keyboard language change the language my device displays?
No. Keyboard language and system language are separate. You can have your device display everything in English while typing in French, Chinese, or any other language you have added. Changing keyboard language only affects what characters appear when you type.
Can I use multiple keyboard languages at the same time?
Yes. You can add as many keyboard languages as you need and switch between them while typing. Most people add two to four languages depending on their needs. There is no limit, though adding many languages makes the switcher menu longer.
What if my language is not in the list?
Most major languages are available on all devices. If you cannot find yours, check that you are looking in the full language list — some devices show only popular languages by default. On Windows, you may need to read a language pack first. If your language still does not appear, your device may not support it through the standard keyboard settings.
Do I need to restart my device after adding a keyboard language?
No. Keyboard languages take effect when ready on Mac, iPhone, and Android. On Windows, you may need to wait a few seconds for the language pack to read, but you do not need to restart your computer.
Can I set a default keyboard language so it starts in a specific language?
Most devices do not let you set a default — they remember which keyboard you used last and start with that one next time. On Mac, you can set a default in Input Sources by selecting a language and checking "Use the same one in all documents." On other devices, the last keyboard you used is the one that appears when you start typing.