You can switch to a different keyboard layout or add a new language keyboard in iPhone Settings

The iPhone comes with the standard QWERTY keyboard by default, but you can change it to a different layout — like Dvorak or Colemak — or add keyboards for other languages. The process takes about two minutes and happens entirely in your Settings app. You do not need to restart your phone or read anything extra.

Once you add a new keyboard, you switch between them by tapping the globe icon that appears on your keyboard while typing. If you only have one keyboard installed, that globe icon will not appear.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap General, then Keyboard, then Keyboards to add or remove keyboard layouts.
  • Tap "Add New Keyboard" and choose from the list of available languages and layouts your iPhone supports.
  • Once added, switch between keyboards by tapping the globe icon on the keyboard itself while you are typing.
  • You can reorder your keyboards by tapping "Edit" in the Keyboards menu, which changes which one appears first when you switch.
  • Removing a keyboard is the same process: go to Keyboards, tap Edit, tap the red minus sign next to the keyboard you want to remove, then tap Delete.

Step-by-step: Adding a new keyboard

Start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Tap the gray gear icon if you do not see it pinned to your dock.

Once Settings opens, scroll down and tap General. Then scroll down again and tap Keyboard. You will see a list of options — tap Keyboards at the top of that list.

You will now see your currently installed keyboards. Tap the button that says Add New Keyboard in blue text. A list of available keyboards will appear, organized by language. Tap the language or layout you want to add — for example, "Spanish," "French," or "Dvorak" if your iPhone model supports it.

The keyboard is now installed. Tap the back arrow or swipe back to return to your previous screen. You can now use this keyboard whenever you are typing.

How to switch between keyboards while typing

When you have more than one keyboard installed, a globe icon appears on your keyboard in the bottom left corner, next to the space bar. Tap this globe icon once to switch to your next keyboard. Each tap cycles through your installed keyboards in order.

If you want to change which keyboard appears first in the cycle, go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit, then drag the three horizontal lines next to each keyboard up or down to reorder them. Tap Done when you are finished.

Removing a keyboard you no longer use

Open Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards again. Tap the Edit button in the top left corner. A red minus sign will appear next to each keyboard.

Tap the red minus sign next to the keyboard you want to remove, then tap the red Delete button that appears. Tap Done when you are finished. That keyboard is now removed from your phone.

What keyboard layouts does iPhone support

iPhone supports QWERTY, AZERTY (French), QWERTZ (German and Central European), and Dvorak layouts. Not all layouts are available on all iPhone models — older phones may have fewer options. You can also add keyboards for dozens of languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and many others.

The language you choose often determines the layout. For example, if you add French, you get the AZERTY layout by default. If you add English, you get QWERTY. Some languages offer multiple layout options — you can choose which one during the "Add New Keyboard" step.

Why you might want to change your keyboard

The most common reason is typing in another language. If you text in Spanish, French, or Mandarin regularly, adding that language's keyboard lets you access the correct letters and accents without copying and pasting.

Some people also switch to Dvorak or Colemak because they find these layouts more comfortable for their hands, or because they learned to type on that layout years ago. If you type on both a computer and your iPhone, matching the layouts can reduce the mental switching cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete the default English QWERTY keyboard?

Yes. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit, tap the red minus sign next to English, then tap Delete. However, you must have at least one keyboard installed at all times. If English is your only keyboard, you cannot remove it.

What if the globe icon does not appear on my keyboard?

The globe icon only shows up when you have two or more keyboards installed. If you only see one keyboard in your Keyboards list, the globe will not appear. Add a second keyboard and it will show up in the bottom left of your keyboard.

Do I need to restart my iPhone after adding a keyboard?

No. The new keyboard is available when ready. You can start using it as soon as you tap Done in Settings.

Can I use a third-party keyboard app instead?

Yes. The App Store has keyboard apps like Gboard, SwiftKey, and others that you can read. After installing one, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Add New Keyboard, and select the third-party app from the list. You then switch to it the same way — by tapping the globe icon.