By the DevX Android team. We tested keyboard switching and customization on Samsung Galaxy S25, Google Pixel 9, OnePlus 13, and Motorola Edge running Android 15 and Android 14. We verified Gboard, SwiftKey, Fleksy, and Samsung Keyboard setup, theme changes, language switching, predictive text, gesture typing, and permission management. All steps verified 2026.
Quick Answer: How to Change Keyboard on Android
To change the keyboard on Android, open Settings, go to System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard, tap Manage keyboards to enable an installed keyboard, then tap Default keyboard and pick the one you want. You can also switch keyboards instantly by tapping the small keyboard icon in the navigation bar while typing.
Quick steps to change your keyboard on Android:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap System (on Samsung, tap General management).
- Tap Languages & input.
- Tap On-screen keyboard (or Virtual keyboard).
- Tap Manage keyboards and turn on the keyboard you want.
- Tap Default keyboard and select your new keyboard.
Changing the keyboard on your Android device can greatly enhance your typing experience. Whether you want a different layout, more features, or simply a fresh look, there are several options available. This guide walks you through changing, installing, switching, and customizing keyboards on Android — including step-by-step instructions for Samsung Galaxy phones and language settings.
Key Takeaways
- You change your keyboard from Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard (on Samsung, General management → Keyboard list and default).
- Third-party keyboards like Gboard, Microsoft SwiftKey, and Samsung Keyboard are free to download from the Google Play Store.
- To switch keyboards while typing, tap the keyboard icon in the navigation bar or long-press the spacebar.
- You can change your keyboard language, layout, and themes inside each keyboard’s own settings.
- If a new keyboard won’t appear, make sure it is enabled under Manage keyboards and set as the default input method.
How to Change the Default Keyboard on Android
The default keyboard is the one that pops up automatically whenever you tap a text field. Here is how to change the default keyboard on most Android phones (Android 14 and Android 15):
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap System.
- Tap Languages & input.
- Tap On-screen keyboard (some phones label this Virtual keyboard).
- Tap Manage keyboards and toggle on the keyboard you want to use.
- Go back and tap Default keyboard, then select your preferred keyboard.
Your Android keyboard is a type of input device, so the option lives under your phone’s input settings. Once set, the new keyboard appears every time you start typing.
How to Download & Install a New Keyboard from the Play Store
Installing a third-party keyboard gives you extra themes, better prediction, and more layouts. Here is how to install the three most popular options.
Install Gboard
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Search for Gboard (by Google).
- Tap Install, then open the app and follow the setup prompts to enable it and set it as default.
Install Microsoft SwiftKey
- Open the Google Play Store and search for Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard.
- Tap Install, then open SwiftKey.
- Tap Enable SwiftKey, toggle it on under Manage keyboards, then tap Select SwiftKey to make it your default.
Install Samsung Keyboard
Samsung Keyboard comes pre-installed on Galaxy phones, so you rarely need to download it. If it is disabled or you want the latest version, search for Samsung Keyboard in the Galaxy Store or Play Store and tap Update or Enable.
Turn on and set your new keyboard
- Go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard.
- Tap Manage keyboards and turn on the keyboard you just installed.
- Tap Default keyboard and choose it.
Most keyboards ask for permission to access your text input during setup. Always review the permissions and stick to trusted, well-known apps to protect your privacy.
How to Switch Keyboards While Typing
Once you have more than one keyboard enabled, you can switch between them instantly without leaving the app you’re in.
- Open any messaging app or text field so the keyboard appears.
- Look for the small keyboard icon in the navigation bar (usually bottom-right corner). Tapping it lets you change keyboards easily.
- Select the keyboard you want to use from the pop-up list.
Quick tip: On Gboard and most keyboards, you can also press and hold the spacebar or tap the globe icon to jump between enabled keyboards and languages.
How to Change the Keyboard on a Samsung Galaxy Phone
Samsung’s One UI puts keyboard settings in a slightly different place than stock Android. Here’s how to change the keyboard on a Samsung Galaxy phone:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General management.
- Tap Keyboard list and default.
- Toggle on any keyboard you want to use (for example, Gboard or SwiftKey), then tap Default keyboard and select it.
To switch keyboards on the fly while typing on a Galaxy phone, tap the keyboard icon in the navigation bar and pick another keyboard from the list.
How to Change Your Keyboard Language or Layout
Most Android keyboards support many languages, and you can add or switch them in a few taps.
Add a new language
- Go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard and tap your keyboard (for example, Gboard).
- Tap Languages, then Add keyboard.
- Choose the language and the layout (such as QWERTY or AZERTY), then tap Done.
Switch between languages while typing
- Tap the globe icon on the keyboard, or
- Long-press the spacebar to see and select your added languages.
Different languages may include special characters or layouts, which makes typing in that language much easier:
| Language | Special Features |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Accent marks |
| French | Special characters like ç, é |
| German | Umlauts (ä, ö, ü) |
| Chinese | Pinyin input |
Customizing Your Keyboard: Themes, Predictive Text & More
Once your keyboard is set, you can personalize how it looks and behaves inside its own settings.
Change themes and layouts
- Go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard and select your keyboard.
- Open Theme and pick a color or background you like.
- Adjust the keyboard height, key borders, and number row from the same settings menu.
Enable predictive text and auto-correction
- Open your keyboard’s settings and tap Text correction (or Smart typing).
- Turn on Next-word suggestions and Auto-correction.
These features suggest words as you type and fix common mistakes automatically.
Explore advanced features
- Gesture (glide) typing: slide your finger across letters to type words quickly. Supported by Gboard and SwiftKey.
- Voice typing: tap the microphone icon to dictate instead of typing.
- Emoji, GIF & clipboard: quickly insert emojis and GIFs, and reuse recently copied text.
When you consider changing an installed code page, it’s essential to ensure compatibility to avoid any issues. You can also navigate through the settings to fine-tune how each keyboard behaves.
Troubleshooting: Keyboard Not Showing or Reverting to Default
If your new keyboard isn’t behaving, these fixes solve the most common problems.
- New keyboard doesn’t appear: Go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Manage keyboards and make sure it’s toggled on, then set it as the Default keyboard.
- Keyboard won’t pop up at all: Restart your phone — this clears most temporary glitches. If it persists, force-stop the keyboard app in Settings → Apps and reopen it.
- Typing lag or delays: Close unused background apps, or clear the keyboard app’s cache under Settings → Apps → [keyboard] → Storage.
- Revert to the default keyboard: Go back to On-screen keyboard → Default keyboard and select the original keyboard (such as Gboard or Samsung Keyboard). You can also disable the keyboard you no longer want under Manage keyboards.
For more Android tips, see our guides on how to hide apps on Android and how to check screen time on Android.
More Android How-To Guides From DevX
- How To Check Screen Time On Android
- How To Install APK On Android
- How To Close Tabs On Android
- How To Update Apps On Android
- How To Clear App Cache On Android
- How To Retrieve Deleted Text Messages On Android
- How To Print From An Android Phone
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the keyboard on Android?
Open Settings, tap System, then Languages & input, then On-screen keyboard. Tap Manage keyboards to enable the keyboard you want, then tap Default keyboard and select it. On Samsung, go to Settings → General management → Keyboard list and default.
How do I switch back to the default keyboard?
Go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Default keyboard, then select your original keyboard such as Gboard or Samsung Keyboard. You can also turn off the keyboard you no longer want under Manage keyboards.
How do I change the keyboard on a Samsung phone?
On a Samsung Galaxy phone, open Settings, tap General management, then Keyboard list and default. Toggle on the keyboard you want (like Gboard or SwiftKey) and tap Default keyboard to select it. While typing, tap the keyboard icon in the navigation bar to switch instantly.
Why can’t I see my new keyboard?
Your new keyboard must be enabled before it will appear. Go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard → Manage keyboards and toggle it on, then set it as the Default keyboard. Restarting your phone can also help if it still won’t show.
How do I change my keyboard language on Android?
Open your keyboard’s settings from Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard, tap your keyboard, then Languages, then Add keyboard, and choose the language and layout. While typing, tap the globe icon or long-press the spacebar to switch languages.
Can I use third-party keyboards on my Android device?
Yes. You can download free third-party keyboards like Gboard, Microsoft SwiftKey, or Fleksy from the Google Play Store, enable them under Manage keyboards, and set them as your default keyboard.
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