Where to find keyboard language settings on Android

The keyboard language setting lives in your Android phone's main Settings app, not in the keyboard itself. Open Settings, scroll down to find System or Languages and input (the exact name varies by phone maker), then tap Languages and input or Input method. From there, you can select your keyboard app and change its language.

Most Android phones come with Google Keyboard (also called Gboard) pre-installed. Samsung phones use Samsung Keyboard. Other manufacturers may use their own versions. Whichever keyboard your phone uses, the path to change its language is the same: Settings > Languages and input > [Your keyboard name] > Languages.

If you have installed a third-party keyboard from the Google Play Store, it will appear in this same list. You can switch between keyboards here, and each one can have its own language settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Keyboard language settings are in your phone's main Settings app under Languages and input, not inside the keyboard app itself.
  • You can add multiple languages to the same keyboard and switch between them while typing by swiping the space bar or tapping a language button.
  • Changing the keyboard language does not change your phone's system language — only the words your keyboard suggests and the layout of keys.
  • If you cannot find Languages and input in Settings, search for "keyboard" in your phone's Settings search bar to jump straight there.

How to add a new language to Gboard

Open Settings and go to Languages and input > Gboard > Languages. Tap Add language, then scroll through the list and select the language you want. You will see options like English (US), English (UK), Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Mexico), and so on — pick the specific variant you need.

Once you add a language, it appears in your keyboard's language menu. While you are typing, you can switch between languages by swiping left or right on the space bar, or by tapping the globe icon if your keyboard shows one. Gboard will learn which language you use most and suggest words in both languages as you type.

You can add as many languages as you want. Most people add two or three and switch between them as needed. If you add a language by mistake, go back to Languages and tap the minus sign next to it to remove it.

Changing keyboard language on Samsung phones

Samsung Keyboard works slightly differently. Go to Settings > Languages and input > Samsung Keyboard > Languages and types. Tap Add language and choose from the list. Samsung's keyboard also lets you switch languages by swiping the space bar or tapping the language button during typing.

Samsung Keyboard also offers a feature called predictive text, which learns your typing patterns across all your languages. If you type in both English and Spanish, the keyboard will suggest words in whichever language it thinks you are using based on context.

Switching between languages while you type

Once you have added multiple languages, you do not need to go back to Settings every time you want to switch. Most Android keyboards let you change languages right from the keyboard itself.

On Gboard, swipe left or right on the space bar to cycle through your languages. You will see the language name appear briefly above the space bar. On Samsung Keyboard, tap the language button (usually shows the current language code, like "EN" or "ES") to switch. Other keyboards may use a globe icon or a dropdown menu — check your keyboard's settings to see which method it uses.

If you use one language much more than the other, you can set a default language in your keyboard settings. The keyboard will start in that language and let you switch to others as needed.

What happens when you change keyboard language

Changing your keyboard language only affects the keyboard itself — it does not change your phone's system language, your text messages, your app names, or anything else on your phone. Only the keyboard's word suggestions, autocorrect, and key layout change.

For example, if you switch your keyboard to Spanish, your phone's Settings app, Messages app, and all your other apps stay in English (or whatever language your phone is set to). Only when you are typing will you see Spanish suggestions and Spanish autocorrect rules.

If you want to change your entire phone's language, that is a separate setting: go to Settings > Languages and input > Languages, then select your preferred language at the top of the list. That change affects your whole phone, not just the keyboard.

Using multiple keyboard layouts for the same language

Some languages have more than one keyboard layout. Spanish, for instance, can use a QWERTY layout (the standard English layout) or a different layout designed specifically for Spanish. When you add a language, you can choose which layout you want.

Gboard shows you layout options when you add a language. If you are not sure which one to pick, QWERTY is the safest choice — it works for almost every language and is what most people are used to. You can change the layout later by going back to Languages and tapping the language name to see other options.

If you switch layouts and find you do not like it, you can always switch back or remove the language and add it again with a different layout.

Troubleshooting keyboard language problems

If you added a language but your keyboard is not showing suggestions in that language, make sure the language is actually enabled. Go back to Settings > Languages and input > [Your keyboard] > Languages and check that the language has a checkmark next to it. Some keyboards require you to enable each language separately.

If you cannot find the Languages and input menu, try searching for it. Open Settings and use the search bar at the top to type "keyboard" or "language" — your phone will jump straight to the right section. This works on most Android phones and is faster than scrolling.

If your keyboard is not switching languages when you swipe the space bar, check whether your keyboard has a language button or globe icon instead. Different keyboards use different methods, and some let you customize which gesture does what in their settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use two languages at the same time on one keyboard?

Yes. Once you add multiple languages to Gboard or Samsung Keyboard, the keyboard will suggest words in both languages as you type. It learns which language you are using based on context and shows suggestions accordingly. You can also manually switch between languages by swiping the space bar or tapping the language button.

Does changing keyboard language change my phone's language?

No. Keyboard language only affects what the keyboard suggests and how it autocorrects. Your phone's system language, apps, and menus stay the same. If you want your entire phone in a different language, that is a separate setting in Languages and input.

What if my language is not in the keyboard's language list?

Most major languages are available in Gboard and Samsung Keyboard. If yours is not, you can try downloading a different keyboard from the Google Play Store — many third-party keyboards support less common languages. Search for your language name plus "keyboard" in the Play Store to see what is available.

Can I set a default keyboard language so it does not switch?

Yes. In your keyboard settings, you can choose a primary language that the keyboard starts with each time you open it. You can still switch to other languages while typing, but it will return to your default language when you close the keyboard and open it again.

How do I remove a language I added by mistake?

Go to Settings > Languages and input > [Your keyboard] > Languages, find the language you want to remove, and tap the minus sign or delete button next to it. The language will be removed when ready, and your keyboard will only show suggestions in your remaining languages.