How to add and switch between keyboard languages on your device

You can add a second (or third, or tenth) keyboard language to any device without losing the original one. Once added, you switch between them using a keyboard shortcut or a menu — usually without restarting. The steps differ slightly by device type, but the principle is the same: you are telling your operating system which language layout to use when you type, not changing anything about your data or your security.

This is a straightforward settings change, and you can undo it just as easily. If you add a keyboard language by mistake, you can remove it in the same place you added it. Adding multiple keyboard languages is common for people who work or communicate in more than one language, and it does not affect how your device stores information or protects your accounts.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Time & Language, then Language, and click Add a Language to install a new keyboard layout.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, go to Keyboard, then Input Sources, and click the plus button to add a new language.
  • On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, Keyboard, Keyboards, and tap Add New Keyboard to select a language.
  • On Android, open Settings, go to System, Languages & Input, and select your keyboard app (usually Gboard) to add a language.
  • Once added, you can switch between keyboard languages using a keyboard shortcut (Windows and Mac) or a language button that appears when you type (mobile).

Adding a keyboard language on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Open the Settings app (press the Windows key and type "Settings"). Click on Time & Language in the left sidebar, then click Language.

Under "Installed languages," you will see your current language listed. Click the Add a Language button. A window will open showing available languages. Find the language you want, click it, and then click Next. Windows will ask whether you want to set it as your display language (the language menus and buttons appear in) or just as a keyboard option. If you only want to type in that language, uncheck "Set as my Windows display language" and click Install. The language will read and install in a few seconds.

Once installation is done, you can switch between keyboard languages by pressing Windows key + Space or by clicking the language indicator in the bottom right corner of your screen (it shows your current keyboard language, like "ENG" or "FRA"). You can add as many languages as you need, and Windows will cycle through them each time you use the shortcut.

Adding a keyboard language on Mac

Open System Settings (click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings). Click Keyboard in the sidebar, then click Input Sources.

You will see a list of your current input sources. Click the plus button at the bottom left. A window will open showing available languages and keyboard layouts. Find the language you want (you can search by typing its name), click it, and then click Add. The language will appear in your input sources list when ready, and you can add more if you need them.

To switch between keyboard languages, press Control + Space or Command + Space (depending on your Mac settings), or click the input source menu in the top right corner of your screen and select the language you want. Mac remembers your preference and will show the language you used most recently in that app the next time you open it.

Adding a keyboard language on iPhone and iPad

Open the Settings app. Tap Keyboard, then tap Keyboards.

You will see a list of your current keyboards. Tap Add New Keyboard at the bottom. A list of available languages will appear. Tap the language you want to add. If the language has multiple keyboard layouts (for example, QWERTY or AZERTY for French), you will see those options — tap the one you prefer, then tap Done. You can add multiple keyboards and switch between them while typing.

When you are typing in any app, a globe icon will appear on your keyboard. Tap it to cycle through your available keyboard languages, or press and hold it to see a menu of all your keyboards and tap the one you want. The globe icon appears on every keyboard you use, so switching languages is always just one tap away.

Adding a keyboard language on Android

Open Settings. Tap System, then tap Languages & Input. Tap Virtual Keyboard or On-screen Keyboard (the exact name varies by phone). You will see a list of installed keyboard apps — usually Gboard (Google's keyboard) or Samsung Keyboard.

Tap the keyboard app you use most. Tap Languages or Language and Typing. Tap Add Keyboard or Languages (wording varies by phone). Find the language you want and tap it. If there are multiple keyboard layouts for that language, select the one you prefer. Some Android phones let you add languages directly from the main keyboard settings, while others require you to go into the specific keyboard app — check both places if you cannot find the option.

When you are typing, a globe icon or language indicator will appear on your keyboard. Tap it to switch between languages, or press and hold it to see all your available keyboards. Android will remember which language you used last in each app and default to it the next time you type there.

Switching between keyboard languages quickly

Once you have added a second keyboard language, you do not have to dig into settings every time you want to switch. Most devices show a language indicator on the keyboard itself or in a system menu that makes switching when ready.

On Windows, the fastest way is the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Space. On Mac, use Control + Space or Command + Space. On both, you can also click the language indicator in the system tray (bottom right on Windows, top right on Mac) and select the language from a dropdown menu. On mobile devices, the globe icon on your keyboard does the same thing — tap it to cycle through languages or press and hold to see a menu. The more languages you add, the more taps or key presses it takes to reach the one you want, so most people keep between two and four active keyboards.

Removing a keyboard language you no longer need

If you added a keyboard language and decide you do not want it anymore, you can remove it from the same place you added it. On Windows, go back to Settings > Time & Language > Language, find the language in the list, click it, and click Remove. On Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Input Sources, select the language, and click the minus button.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Keyboard > Keyboards, swipe left on the language you want to remove, and tap Delete. On Android, open your keyboard app's language settings, find the language, and tap Remove or the minus icon. Removing a keyboard language does not affect any of your data, messages, or settings — it only removes that language from your typing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will adding a keyboard language change my passwords or security settings?

No. A keyboard language is only about how your typing is interpreted — which letters appear when you press keys. It does not touch your passwords, accounts, or security settings. You can add and remove keyboard languages without affecting anything else on your device.

Can I use two keyboard languages at the same time?

You can have multiple keyboard languages installed and switch between them, but you type in only one at a time. When you switch languages, your device remembers which one you were using last and defaults to it the next time you open that app (on some devices). You cannot mix languages within a single keystroke.

What if I accidentally set a keyboard language as my display language?

You can change it back in Settings. On Windows, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language, find the language you want as your display language, click it, and select "Set as display language." On Mac, go to System Settings > General > Language & Region and choose your preferred language from the dropdown. Your menus and buttons will switch back within seconds.

Do I need to restart my device after adding a keyboard language?

No. Keyboard languages take effect when ready on all devices. You can start typing in a new language as soon as you finish adding it.

Can I add a keyboard language that is not in the standard list?

Most operating systems include hundreds of languages and regional variants. If you cannot find a specific language in your device's language list, check whether it is listed under a different name or region (for example, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese are separate options). If it truly is not available, your device does not support that keyboard layout natively, and you would need a third-party keyboard app from your device's app store.