How to Change Keyboard on Android Phone

Are you struggling to change your keyboard on your Android phone? It may seem tricky at first, but following these straightforward steps will save you time and effort. Whether you’re looking for a fresh typing experience or you want to use a specific keyboard for different tasks, Android makes it easy to switch keyboards on your phone or tablet. Let’s explore five easy ways to change the keyboard on your Android device

Change Keyboard on Android Phone

1. Built-in Keyboard Settings

Most Android devices come with a default keyboard installed, such as Gboard or Samsung Keyboard. If you want to change the default keyboard, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Navigate to System > Languages & input.
3. Tap On-screen keyboard (this may also be listed as Virtual Keyboard on some devices).
4. You will see a list of keyboards installed on your device. Toggle on the one you wish to use and disable the default one if necessary.

By following these steps, you’ll switch to a new keyboard instantly. Now, you’re ready to type with your preferred input method!

2. Third-Party Keyboard Apps

If you want more features or customization options, installing third-party keyboard apps is a great option. The Google Play Store has a plethora of keyboards that cater to different needs. Some popular ones include:

• Gboard (by Google)
• SwiftKey (by Microsoft)
• Fleksy
• Chrooma Keyboard

To install a third-party keyboard:

1. Head over to the Google Play Store and search for the keyboard app of your choice.
2. Tap Install and open the app.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to enable the new keyboard. You’ll need to toggle it on from the Virtual Keyboard settings as mentioned in step 1.

3. Keyboard App Settings

Once you’ve installed a new keyboard, you can personalize it to suit your typing preferences. Most third-party keyboards offer customization options like themes, typing layouts, predictive text, and more. Here’s how you can configure your new keyboard:

1. Open the Keyboard app from your home screen or app drawer.
2. Navigate to the Settings section within the app.
3. Adjust features like themes, key sizes, emoji preferences, and enable special functions like gesture typing.
4. Explore the app’s options to tailor it to your needs.

4. Keyboard Switching

Android devices allow you to switch between installed keyboards with ease. Here’s how:

1. When typing in any text field, look for a small keyboard icon or globe icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Tap on the icon to cycle between the keyboards installed on your device.
3. If you have multiple keyboards, swipe left or right on the spacebar to switch.

This feature makes it easy to use different keyboards depending on the situation. For instance, you might prefer one keyboard for messaging and another for work-related tasks.

5. Keyboard Shortcuts

Some keyboards allow you to set up shortcuts for quickly switching between different input methods. For example, Gboard lets you long-press the comma (,) key to bring up a list of available keyboards. Here’s how to use this feature:

1. Open the app or text field where you need to type.
2. Long-press the comma (,) key on Gboard (or the equivalent key on other keyboards).
3. Select the keyboard you want to use from the list that appears.

This saves time and lets you switch seamlessly between different input methods.

How to View Android Keyboard Permissions

To ensure that your keyboard app is only accessing the data it needs, it’s important to review its permissions. Here’s how to check the permissions of your installed keyboard:

1. Open the Settings app and tap Apps or Applications.
2. Find and tap on your keyboard app (it may be named “Gboard” or “SwiftKey”).
3. Tap Permissions or App permissions to see which permissions have been granted.
4. Review the list of permissions and decide if you want to revoke any specific permissions (e.g., access to contacts or messages).

Note: Be cautious when disabling permissions, as some may be necessary for the keyboard to function properly.

How to Use Multiple Keyboards on Android

If you prefer to have multiple keyboards on your device, Android makes it easy to toggle between them. Here’s how to set up and switch between multiple keyboards:

1. Enable multiple keyboards: Head to Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard. Toggle on the keyboards you want to use.
2. Switch between keyboards: When typing, look for the keyboard icon or globe icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to switch to a different keyboard.
3. Quick switching: In some apps like SwiftKey or Gboard, you can also swipe on the spacebar to switch between keyboards.

This feature is ideal if you need different keyboards for different tasks, such as typing in different languages or using specialized symbols.