How to Change the Keyboard on Android

This article covers how to change the default keyboard on Android and how to switch between keyboards. The directions below apply to smartphones with Android 10, 9.0 (Pie), or 8.0 (Oreo) and should work no matter who made your Android phone: Samsung, Google, Huawei, Xiaomi, etc.

How to Change the Default Keyboard

After downloading an Android keyboard—or even more than one—launch it to complete the installation. Most apps walk you through the process of enabling a keyboard and setting it as the default, but it's also easy to do so manually.

1. Go to Settings.

2. Scroll down and tap System > Languages & input. (On Samsung Galaxy smartphones, go to Settings > General management > Language and input.)

3. In the Keyboards section, tap Virtual keyboard. (On Samsung, tap On-screen keyboard, then tap the default keyboard.)

4. Tap Manage keyboards.

5. Turn on the toggle switch next to the keyboard you want to use. On a Samsung phone, toggle on Show Keyboard button if you want to switch between keyboards easily.

   When you enable a keyboard, a warning might pop up, notifying you that it might collect the text you type, including personal information. Tap OK. Apps collect this information for auto-correct to predicts what you're about to type. To do this, the app could store emails, texts, web searches, and passwords. 

How to Switch Between Android Keyboards

Android doesn't put a limit on how many keyboard apps users can download. If you have more than one keyboard you like to use; it's easy to switch between them as needed. For instance, you might have a keyboard you prefer for work stuff, another for friends, a third for silly GIFs, and maybe one in a different language. You might also prefer voice typing aka speech to text in some scenarios.

1. Launch the app you want to type in.

2. Tap to display the keyboard.

3. Tap the keyboard icon on the bottom right.

4. Choose the keyboard from the list.

5. Repeat these steps to switch to another keyboard.

Viewing Android Keyboard Permissions

To see what permissions you've granted a keyboard app, go to Settings > Apps & notifications. Tap See all <#> apps and select the keyboard app from the list. Look under permissions: if it says no permissions granted, you don't need to do anything else. Otherwise, you'll see a number. Tap Permissions to see which ones are allowed and which ones are denied.

You can find out more about what the app collects by visiting the Google Play Store listing or the company's website.