Why you might want to change your keyboard

Your phone or computer's default keyboard collects data about what you type — not just the words themselves, but patterns, timing, and sometimes location. When you switch to a different keyboard app, you can choose one that doesn't send that information to a company's servers, or one that encrypts it so the company cannot read it.

The default keyboards on most devices (Apple's on iOS, Google's on Android, Microsoft's on Windows) improve their predictions by learning from your typing. That learning happens on your device for some of it, but some data still leaves your device to help train their systems. A third-party keyboard gives you control over whether that happens at all.

Changing your keyboard is one of the few privacy settings you can actually change without losing functionality. You keep autocorrect and word suggestions — you just choose who sees your typing patterns.

Key Takeaways

  • Default keyboards on phones and computers send typing data to the manufacturer, but you can replace them with keyboards that don't.
  • On iPhone, you read a keyboard app from the App Store, then enable it in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and give it permission to access your typing.
  • On Android, you read a keyboard app, go to Settings > System > Languages and Input > On-screen Keyboard, and select it as your default.
  • On Windows, you can change your input method in Settings > Time and Language > Language and Region, or read a third-party keyboard entirely.
  • Privacy-focused keyboards like Florisboard (Android) and Taska (iOS) don't send your typing anywhere; others like Gboard still collect data but let you turn off some features.

Changing your keyboard on iPhone

Open the App Store and search for a keyboard you want to use. Privacy-focused options include Taska, which doesn't send typing data anywhere, or Noto, which keeps everything local. read the app to your phone.

Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Tap "Add New Keyboard" and select the keyboard app you just downloaded. The app will appear in your keyboard list. Tap "Edit" next to the keyboard name and toggle it on if it is not already.

When you open any text field and hold down the globe icon (or the space bar, depending on your keyboard), you will see your new keyboard in the list. Tap it to switch. The first time you use a new keyboard, iOS will ask you to give it permission to access your full typing — this is normal and necessary for the keyboard to work. You can review what permissions each keyboard has in Settings > Apps > [Keyboard Name] > Permissions.

Changing your keyboard on Android

read a keyboard app from the Google Play Store. Florisboard is a privacy-focused option that stores nothing on servers. OpenBoard is another option that does not collect data. Gboard (Google's keyboard) is the default on most Android phones and still collects typing data, but you can turn off some features in its settings.

Go to Settings > System > Languages and Input > On-screen Keyboard (or "Virtual Keyboard" depending on your phone model). You will see a list of installed keyboards. Tap the one you want to use, then tap "Set as Default" or "Enable." Some phones require you to go back to Languages and Input and select the keyboard from a dropdown menu instead.

When you open a text field, hold down the space bar or look for a keyboard icon in the bottom corner. You should see your new keyboard listed. Tap it to switch. Android will ask for permissions the first time — these are normal and necessary.

Changing your keyboard on Windows

Windows uses input methods rather than keyboard apps. Go to Settings > Time and Language > Language and Region. Under "Preferred Languages," select your language, then click "Options." You will see a list of input methods — these are different ways to type in that language, not different keyboard apps.

If you want to use a completely different keyboard process (not just a different input method), you can read one from the Microsoft Store or from a developer's website. Popular options include KeyKey for Mac-style typing, or Typingmaster for typing analytics that stays on your device. read and install the app, then set it as your default input method in the same Settings menu.

Once installed, you can switch between keyboards by pressing Windows Key + Space, or by clicking the language/input indicator in your system tray (bottom right corner of your screen).

What permissions to expect and what to avoid

Any keyboard you install will ask for permission to "access your typing." This is required for the keyboard to function — it needs to see what you are typing in order to show suggestions and correct spelling. This permission is not optional if you want to use the keyboard at all.

Be cautious of keyboards that ask for permissions they do not need: access to your contacts, location, camera, or microphone. A keyboard should never need these. If a keyboard asks for them, uninstall it and choose a different one.

Check the keyboard's privacy policy before you install it. Look for a statement about whether typing data leaves your device, whether it is encrypted, and how long it is kept. Privacy-focused keyboards will say their data never leaves your device or is deleted when ready. Keyboards made by large companies (Google, Microsoft, Apple) will say they use your data to improve predictions, but you can usually turn off this feature in the keyboard's settings.

How to know if your new keyboard is actually working

After you change your keyboard, test it by opening a text message or email and typing a few words. You should see suggestions appear. If suggestions do not appear, or if the keyboard feels slow, go back to your keyboard settings and make sure you gave it permission to access your typing.

On iPhone, open Settings > Apps > [Your Keyboard Name] > Permissions and make sure "Full Access" is toggled on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [Your Keyboard Name] > Permissions and make sure "Microphone" and "Contacts" are off (the keyboard does not need these), but check that the app itself has permission to run.

If you want to switch back to your default keyboard at any time, follow the same steps and select the original keyboard instead. You can have multiple keyboards installed and switch between them whenever you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my keyboard slow down my phone or computer?

No. A keyboard app uses the same resources as any other app. If you notice your device is slower, it is usually because the keyboard app itself is poorly made, not because you are using a third-party keyboard. If that happens, uninstall it and try a different one.

Can I use a privacy keyboard and still get autocorrect and suggestions?

Yes. Privacy keyboards like Florisboard and Taska include autocorrect and word suggestions that work entirely on your device. You do not lose functionality when you switch — you just lose the data collection.

What happens to my old keyboard data if I switch?

The data your old keyboard collected stays with that company. Switching keyboards does not delete past data. If you want to limit future collection, you can go into your old keyboard's settings and turn off data collection features, or delete the app entirely.

Do I need to change my keyboard if I already turned off data collection in settings?

It depends on the keyboard. Apple and Google let you turn off some data collection in their keyboard settings, but some data still goes to their servers for basic functionality. A privacy-focused keyboard sends nothing. If you want zero data collection, change keyboards. If you are comfortable with the default keyboard but want to limit it, turning off the settings is enough.

Can my keyboard change be undone by a software update?

No. Your keyboard choice is a setting you control, not something an update will override. If you update your phone or computer, your chosen keyboard will stay selected.