The two ways to switch keyboards on iPad

You can change your iPad keyboard in two ways: add a different language keyboard through Settings, or switch between keyboards you already have installed while you type. Most people need to add a new keyboard first, then learn how to flip between them. The process takes about two minutes and doesn't require restarting your device.

If you only speak one language, you might still want a second keyboard — some people add a number pad keyboard for faster typing in spreadsheets, or a smaller keyboard layout if the standard one feels cramped. The steps are the same regardless of which keyboard you're adding.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard to add a new keyboard language or layout to your iPad.
  • Tap Keyboards, then Add New Keyboard, and choose from the full list of available keyboards.
  • Once installed, press and hold the globe icon at the bottom of your keyboard while typing to switch between keyboards when ready.
  • You can reorder your keyboards in Settings so your most-used one appears first when you switch.
  • Removing a keyboard you no longer use keeps your keyboard list clean and makes switching faster.

Adding a new keyboard through Settings

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Tap General in the left sidebar, then scroll down and tap Keyboard. You'll see a section labeled Keyboards with a list of keyboards you already have installed — most iPads start with just one.

Tap Add New Keyboard at the bottom of the Keyboards section. A full list of available keyboards appears, organized by language and region. Scroll through to find the one you want. If you're adding a language, the name appears as the language itself — English, Spanish, French, and so on. If you're looking for a different layout of a language you already have, it appears as a sub-option under that language name.

Tap the keyboard you want to add. It now appears in your Keyboards list in Settings. You don't need to do anything else — the keyboard is ready to use when ready.

Switching between keyboards while you type

Once you have more than one keyboard installed, a globe icon appears at the bottom left of your keyboard, just to the left of the space bar. Press and hold that globe icon to see all your installed keyboards. A small menu pops up showing each one. Tap the keyboard you want to switch to, and it becomes active when ready.

If you only have two keyboards, you can tap the globe icon once instead of holding it — each tap flips to the next keyboard in your list. This is faster than holding and choosing from a menu. The keyboard you're currently using is highlighted in the menu so you always know which one is active.

Reordering keyboards so your favorite comes first

If you have three or more keyboards, the order matters. When you tap the globe icon once, it cycles through them in the order they appear in your Settings list. You can rearrange them so your most-used keyboard comes first, making it faster to reach.

Go back to Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards. You'll see an Edit button in the top right corner. Tap it, and three horizontal lines appear next to each keyboard. Press and hold those lines, then drag the keyboard up or down to reorder it. Tap Done when you're finished. Now when you tap the globe icon, your keyboards cycle in the new order.

Removing keyboards you no longer use

Over time you might install keyboards you don't actually need. Removing them makes your keyboard list shorter and your switching faster. Go to Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards. Tap Edit in the top right corner.

A red circle with a minus sign appears next to each keyboard. Tap that circle next to the keyboard you want to remove, then tap Delete to confirm. The keyboard is removed from your iPad when ready. You can always add it back later through the same Add New Keyboard menu if you change your mind.

What to do if the globe icon doesn't appear

If you only have one keyboard installed, the globe icon won't show up — there's nothing to switch to. Add a second keyboard through Settings and the icon will appear. If you have multiple keyboards but the globe icon still isn't visible, make sure you're actually in a text field. The keyboard only appears when you tap into an email, message, note, or any other place where you can type.

On rare occasions, the keyboard needs to be dismissed and reopened. Tap the keyboard dismissal button (the arrow pointing down) at the bottom right of your keyboard to close it, then tap in a text field again to reopen it. The globe icon should now be visible.

Keyboard settings you might want to adjust

While you're in the Keyboard settings, you'll notice other options that affect how your keyboards behave. Predictive turns word suggestions on or off. Auto-Capitalization automatically capitalizes the first letter of sentences. Auto-Correction fixes common typos as you type. You can turn any of these on or off depending on your preference — they work the same way across all your installed keyboards.

If you find that auto-correction is changing words you don't want changed, or if you're typing in a language where the suggestions aren't helpful, turning it off might make typing faster. These settings explore globally, so changing them affects all your keyboards at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a third-party keyboard app instead of the built-in keyboards?

Yes. Third-party keyboard apps like Gboard or SwiftKey can be installed from the App Store. After installing, go to Settings, General, Keyboard, Keyboards, Add New Keyboard, and you'll see the third-party app listed. Tap it to enable it, then use the globe icon to switch to it just like any other keyboard. Some third-party keyboards offer features the built-in ones don't, like gesture typing or custom themes.

Will changing my keyboard affect my autocorrect dictionary?

No. Your autocorrect and predictive text learn from what you type across all keyboards. If you add a word to your dictionary in one keyboard, it's available in all of them. However, some languages have their own dictionaries, so switching to a keyboard in a different language will show different suggestions based on that language's word list.

What if I accidentally delete a keyboard I need?

You can add it back anytime. Go to Settings, General, Keyboard, Keyboards, Add New Keyboard, and select the keyboard again from the full list. All your settings and dictionary entries remain the same — there's no penalty for removing and re-adding a keyboard.

Can I use two keyboards for the same language?

Yes. Some languages have multiple layout options — for example, English has QWERTY and DVORAK layouts. You can install both and switch between them using the globe icon. This is useful if you're learning a different layout or if you use different keyboards on different devices and want your iPad to match one of them.

Does changing keyboards affect my passwords or login information?

No. Your passwords and login information are stored separately from your keyboard settings. Changing keyboards won't affect your ability to sign into apps or websites. You can type passwords in any keyboard you have installed.