How to Change Your Keyboard on Android

Changing your keyboard is one of the easiest ways to make an Android phone feel like your own. Whether you want Google’s Gboard, Microsoft’s SwiftKey, or a specialist keyboard for a particular language, swapping is straightforward once you know the two-step pattern: enable the keyboard, then set it as the default. The only wrinkle is that manufacturers label the menus differently, so the exact path varies between Samsung, Pixel and Xiaomi.

One honest word of caution before you begin: a keyboard can, by design, see everything you type, including passwords. Stick to well-known keyboards from reputable developers, and glance at the permissions an app requests before you trust it.

Step 1: Install a new keyboard (optional)

If you only want to switch to a keyboard already on your phone, skip to Step 2. To add a new one:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for the keyboard you want, such as Gboard or SwiftKey.
3. Tap Install and wait for it to download.

Installing alone does not switch it on. You still need the steps below.

Step 2: Set the default keyboard on Google Pixel (stock Android)

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap System, then Keyboard (or Languages & input).
3. Tap On-screen keyboard.
4. If your new keyboard is not listed, tap Manage on-screen keyboards and switch it on.
5. Go back and tap Default keyboard, then choose the one you want.

Step 2 (Samsung Galaxy): set the default keyboard

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap General management.
3. Tap Keyboard list and default.
4. Toggle on any keyboard you want to use, then tap Default keyboard and pick one.

Step 2 (Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO): set the default keyboard

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Additional settings, then Languages & input.
3. Tap Manage keyboards to enable your new keyboard.
4. Tap Default keyboard (or Current keyboard) and select it.

Switch keyboards on the fly

If you keep more than one keyboard enabled, you do not have to dig through Settings to swap between them. While typing:

1. Tap inside any text field so the keyboard appears.
2. Look for a small keyboard icon, usually near the bottom-right corner or in the navigation bar.
3. Tap it and choose the keyboard you want for that moment.

This is ideal if, say, you prefer one keyboard for everyday typing and another for a second language. Both stay enabled; you simply pick between them per app.

Can’t find the menu? Use search

Because the wording differs so much between phones, the fastest shortcut is often the Settings search bar. Open Settings, tap the search icon at the top, and type keyboard or input. The relevant screens will appear directly, saving you from guessing whether your phone calls it “Languages & input,” “Keyboard list and default,” or something else.

Make the new keyboard yours

Once a keyboard is set, open its own settings to tune it. Most let you change the theme, height and layout, turn swipe typing on or off, and manage the languages installed. In Gboard, for instance, you can long-press the comma key to jump to its settings. Spending a couple of minutes here usually makes a bigger difference to your typing comfort than the choice of keyboard itself.

It is also worth setting up your languages properly at this stage. Most keyboards let you add several languages and either switch between them manually or type in more than one at once using a combined dictionary. If you type in two languages regularly, enabling both in the keyboard’s language settings means you no longer have to switch layouts by hand, and autocorrect will stop fighting you over words from your second language.

If an old keyboard starts misbehaving after you switch, or predictions seem stuck, clearing its stored data often helps; our guide to how to clear cache on Android shows how to do that safely. And because a keyboard handles sensitive text, it is worth reviewing which apps can access what, which pairs naturally with our guide to how to lock apps on Android.

A note on privacy and removal

To remove a keyboard you no longer want, first set a different keyboard as the default, then uninstall the old one from the Play Store or your app list as usual. Never leave an untrusted keyboard enabled, since it retains the ability to read your input. If you are ever handing the phone to someone else or selling it, wipe everything cleanly with our walkthrough on how to factory reset Android.

Choosing the right keyboard for you

With the mechanics covered, it helps to know what the popular options are good at. Gboard is Google’s keyboard, pre-installed on Pixel and many other phones; it offers reliable glide typing, built-in search and strong multilingual support. SwiftKey, now owned by Microsoft, is known for accurate prediction that adapts to your writing style and for easy two-language typing. Samsung phones also include the Samsung Keyboard, which is deeply integrated with One UI features. Beyond these, there are specialist keyboards for particular languages, larger keys for accessibility, or minimalist layouts. There is no single best choice; the right one is whichever feels natural under your thumbs.

Don’t forget voice typing

Most modern keyboards include a microphone icon for voice input, which can be faster than typing for long messages. On Gboard, tap the microphone key and speak; on Pixel phones, on-device voice typing is quick and works offline for many languages. If you rely on voice input, check that your chosen keyboard supports it before switching, because not every third-party keyboard includes a dictation feature of its own.

Troubleshooting a keyboard that won’t switch

If you set a new default but the old keyboard keeps appearing, a few checks usually fix it:

1. Confirm the new keyboard is both enabled in the keyboard list and selected as the default; enabling alone is not enough.
2. Close and reopen the app you are typing in, as some apps cache the keyboard until relaunched.
3. Restart the phone, which clears a stuck input service.
4. If predictions are wrong or the layout looks broken, clear the keyboard app’s stored data and set up the keyboard again.

These steps resolve the large majority of switching problems without any deeper fiddling.

Keyboards and your privacy

Because a keyboard processes every keystroke, it is the one app category where the developer’s reputation matters most. Well-known keyboards are transparent about what they collect and let you turn off features like personalised learning or usage sharing in their settings. Before trusting a lesser-known keyboard, read what network permissions it requests and be cautious about any that demand full network access without explanation. For anything involving passwords or banking, sticking to an established keyboard is the sensible choice.

Keyboard choice is one of the many areas where Android gives you more freedom than some rivals; if that appeals to you, our comparison of Android vs iOS key differences covers more. For additional step-by-step help, browse our full Android guides. In short: install, enable, set as default, and switch whenever you like.