How to Change Keyboard on Android: The Complete Guide

One of the biggest advantages Android has over other mobile operating systems is the sheer flexibility it offers, and nowhere is that more obvious than with keyboards. Unlike some platforms where you’re stuck with a single default typing experience, Android lets you install and switch between multiple keyboard apps entirely based on your preference. Maybe you want better swipe typing, multilingual support, a different theme, or built-in grammar checking. Whatever the reason, changing your keyboard on Android is quick, free in most cases, and fully reversible.

In this guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to change your keyboard on Android, covering stock Android, Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus devices, how to install popular third-party keyboards,

Why Change Your Default Android Keyboard?

Before jumping into the steps, it’s worth understanding why so many Android users choose to install a different keyboard rather than sticking with what comes preloaded on their phone.

• Better autocorrect and prediction: Some third-party keyboards use more advanced AI-driven prediction engines that adapt to your typing style faster than stock options.
• Swipe/gesture typing: While most modern default keyboards include gesture typing now, some third-party options offer more accurate or customizable swipe experiences.
• Themes and customization: Many keyboard apps allow full visual customization, from colors and fonts to key sizes and layouts.
• Multilingual typing: If you regularly type in more than one language, certain keyboards handle multilingual switching and mixed-language autocorrect far more smoothly than others.
• Specialized features: Some keyboards include built-in grammar checking, GIF and sticker search, clipboard managers, or one-handed typing modes.

Which Keyboards Come Preinstalled on Android?

The default keyboard varies depending on your phone’s manufacturer:

• Google Pixel devices: Come with Gboard preinstalled.
• Samsung devices: Come with Samsung Keyboard preinstalled, built on One UI.
• Xiaomi (MIUI) devices: Come with Mi Input Keyboard, though Gboard is often included as an alternative.
• OnePlus (OxygenOS) devices: Typically come with Gboard as the default, since OnePlus doesn’t maintain its own separate keyboard app.

Regardless of which one your phone ships with, the process for switching to a new one follows a similar overall pattern across all Android devices, with small variations in menu names.

How to Download a New Keyboard on Android

The first step, if you don’t already have your preferred keyboard installed, is downloading it from the Google Play Store.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
2. Search for the keyboard you want to install. Popular free options include Gboard, Microsoft SwiftKey, and Grammarly Keyboard.
3. Tap Install and wait for the download to complete.
4. Once installed, open the app at least once, since most keyboard apps require you to complete a brief setup process before they can be activated system-wide.

Most mainstream keyboard apps are completely free, though some offer premium themes or additional features through in-app purchases, usually ranging from $1–5 USD (roughly ₹80–400) for premium theme packs.

How to Change Keyboard on Stock Android (Pixel and Similar Devices)

If you’re using a Google Pixel or a device running close to stock Android, here’s how to switch your default keyboard.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap System, then Languages & input.
3. Tap On-screen keyboard.
4. Tap Manage keyboards and toggle on the new keyboard you’ve installed. You may need to accept a permissions prompt, since keyboard apps technically have access to everything you type.
5. Go back to On-screen keyboard and tap Default keyboard.
6. Select your newly installed keyboard from the list.

From this point forward, your chosen keyboard will appear automatically whenever you tap into a text field.

How to Change Keyboard on Samsung Devices

Samsung’s One UI interface organizes settings slightly differently, but the process is just as straightforward.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap General management.
3. Tap Keyboard list and default.
4. Tap Keyboard list and toggle on your newly installed keyboard.
5. Tap Default keyboard, then select the keyboard you want to use going forward.

Samsung devices also allow you to manage individual keyboard settings, such as toggling predictive text or adjusting key height, directly within this same menu for both the Samsung Keyboard and any third-party keyboard you’ve installed.

How to Change Keyboard on Xiaomi (MIUI) Devices

MIUI devices have their own dedicated input settings menu, though the underlying Android framework remains the same.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Additional settings.
3. Tap Languages & input.
4. Tap Virtual keyboard.
5. Tap Manage keyboards and enable your new keyboard.
6. Return to the previous screen, tap Current Keyboard, and select the one you want to use as default.

If you don’t see “Additional settings” directly, some MIUI versions place these options under Settings > Languages & input without the extra submenu, so the exact path can vary slightly by MIUI version.

How to Change Keyboard on OnePlus (OxygenOS) Devices

OnePlus devices generally follow a path very close to stock Android since OxygenOS doesn’t heavily modify the input settings.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap System.
3. Tap Languages & input.
4. Tap On-screen keyboard, then Manage keyboards.
5. Toggle on your new keyboard.
6. Go back and tap Current keyboard or Default keyboard to select it.

The Fastest Way to Switch Keyboards: The Keyboard Icon Shortcut

Once you have more than one keyboard installed and enabled, you don’t need to dig through settings every time you want to switch. Android provides a quick shortcut directly from the keyboard itself.

1. Tap into any text field to bring up your current keyboard.
2. Look for a small keyboard icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen (it may appear in the notification bar area or directly on the keyboard, depending on your device).
3. Tap it, and a popup will appear listing all your enabled keyboards.
4. Select the keyboard you want to switch to instantly.

On some devices, you can also swipe left or right on the spacebar of certain keyboards like Gboard to cycle between installed keyboards without needing to tap the icon at all.

How to Set Different Keyboards for Different Languages

If your goal isn’t necessarily to replace your keyboard entirely but to add multilingual typing support, most keyboard apps let you manage multiple languages within a single app rather than needing separate keyboards for each.

Using Gboard:

1. Open Gboard settings by tapping the three-dot menu or gear icon on the keyboard toolbar.
2. Tap Languages.
3. Tap Add keyboard and select the additional language you want.
4. Once added, you can switch between languages by tapping the globe icon on the keyboard or by swiping the spacebar.

Using SwiftKey:

1. Open SwiftKey settings from the keyboard toolbar.
2. Tap Languages.
3. Tap Add more languages and choose from the list.
4. Switch between them using the language toggle button on the keyboard itself.

Customizing Your New Keyboard

Once you’ve installed and set your preferred keyboard as default, most apps offer a range of customization options worth exploring.

• Themes: Change colors, backgrounds, and key styles. Gboard and SwiftKey both offer free built-in themes, with some premium options available through in-app purchases.
• Key height and size: Useful for larger phones or for users who prefer bigger touch targets.
• Sound and vibration feedback: Toggle haptic feedback or key click sounds on or off based on personal preference.
• Clipboard manager: Many modern keyboards include a built-in clipboard history, letting you paste previously copied text without needing a separate app.
• Emoji and GIF search: Most third-party keyboards include a dedicated search bar for finding emojis, GIFs, and stickers directly within the keyboard interface.

Comparing Popular Android Keyboards

If you’re not sure which keyboard to try first, here’s a quick side-by-side look at some of the most widely used options and what sets each one apart.

Gboard: Google’s own keyboard, praised for its clean design, reliable autocorrect, built-in Google Translate, one-tap GIF and emoji search, and strong voice typing that works well even offline for many languages. It’s free with no premium tier, since Google doesn’t monetize Gboard directly.

Microsoft SwiftKey: Known for its adaptive prediction engine that learns your writing style faster than most competitors, along with strong support for typing across multiple languages in a single sentence without manually switching. Also free, with occasional theme packs available as in-app purchases.

Grammarly Keyboard: Goes beyond basic autocorrect by offering real-time grammar, tone, and clarity suggestions as you type, which is particularly useful for anyone who sends a lot of professional messages or emails from their phone. The free tier covers basic grammar checks, while the premium tier (around $12 USD/month or ₹1,000/month) unlocks advanced tone detection and rewrite suggestions.

Fleksy: Built around speed and extensive customization, offering gesture-based shortcuts for quick actions like copy, paste, and cursor movement, along with a large library of downloadable themes.

Samsung Keyboard: Comes preinstalled on Samsung devices and integrates tightly with One UI, including a dedicated number row, easy access to Samsung’s built-in sticker library, and support for Samsung DeX when typing on a larger external display.

How to Enable Voice Typing Alongside Your New Keyboard

Most keyboards, including Gboard and SwiftKey, include built-in voice typing as an alternative input method, which can be useful when you’d rather speak than type.

1. Tap into any text field to bring up your keyboard.
2. Look for a microphone icon on the keyboard toolbar, usually near the emoji or settings icon.
3. Tap it, and start speaking; your words will appear as text in real time.
4. Tap the keyboard icon again, or simply start typing, to switch back to manual input.

If you don’t see a microphone icon, check your keyboard app’s settings menu for a toggle labeled “Voice input” or “Google voice typing,” since some keyboards disable it by default to save battery.

What Happens to Your Data When You Switch Keyboards

A common concern when installing a new keyboard is understanding exactly what data it can access and how that data is used. Since every keyboard app technically has access to everything you type, including passwords typed into non-secure fields, it’s worth understanding a few basics before committing to a new app long-term.

Reputable keyboards from established developers like Google, Microsoft, and Samsung publish clear privacy policies outlining what data is collected, typically limited to anonymized usage patterns used to improve prediction accuracy, rather than storing your actual typed content on external servers. If privacy is a major concern, look specifically for a keyboard’s offline mode setting, which restricts the app from sending typing data over the internet at all. Most major keyboards, including Gboard and SwiftKey, allow you to disable “usage statistics” or “improve keyboard” style settings entirely from within their own settings menu.

It’s also worth noting that Android’s own permission system requires keyboard apps to explicitly declare when they’re being used as the active input method, which is why you see that warning message the first time you enable a new keyboard. This isn’t unique to any specific app, it’s a standard Android safeguard that applies to all keyboard apps equally.

• Uninstall keyboards you no longer use. Having too many enabled keyboards can clutter the switch menu and make it harder to quickly find the one you actually want.
• Grant only necessary permissions. Some keyboard apps request full internet access for cloud-based prediction features; if privacy is a concern, look for keyboards that offer an offline mode, such as Gboard’s offline voice typing and prediction settings.
• Back up your personal dictionary. If you’ve added custom words to your old keyboard’s dictionary, check whether your new keyboard app offers an import option, since starting from scratch can make autocorrect feel less accurate at first.
• Test typing speed before fully committing. Spend a day or two using your new keyboard for regular messaging before uninstalling your old one, in case you find the new layout doesn’t suit your typing habits.
• Enable multiple input languages within one app rather than installing entirely separate keyboard apps for each language, since this reduces app clutter and keeps switching faster.

Troubleshooting Common Keyboard Issues

Problem: My new keyboard isn’t showing up as an option. Double-check that you’ve enabled it under Manage keyboards in your device’s language and input settings, since simply installing the app isn’t enough, it also needs to be toggled on before it appears in the switch menu.

Problem: The keyboard icon shortcut isn’t appearing. This icon typically only shows up when more than one keyboard is enabled. If you only have one keyboard toggled on, Android hides the shortcut since there’s nothing to switch to.

Problem: My old keyboard keeps reappearing after I set a new default. Some apps with in-app text fields (banking apps, for example) can sometimes override your system default temporarily for security reasons. This is normal behavior for certain secure input fields and isn’t a sign of a broader issue.

Problem: Autocorrect and predictions feel worse after switching. This is expected initially, since a new keyboard hasn’t learned your typing habits yet.

Conclusion

Changing your keyboard on Android is one of the simplest yet most impactful customizations you can make to your daily phone experience. Whether you’re chasing better autocorrect, smoother swipe typing, multilingual support, or just a fresh look, the entire process, from downloading a new keyboard app to setting it as your default, takes only a few minutes regardless of whether you’re using a Pixel, Samsung, Xiaomi, or OnePlus device.

Once set up, take a little time to explore the customization options within your new keyboard, adjust themes, key sizes, and language settings to fit your exact preferences, and don’t be afraid to try a few different keyboard apps before settling on the one that feels right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it safe to install third-party keyboards on Android? Yes, as long as you download them from the official Google Play Store and from reputable developers like Google, Microsoft, or Grammarly. Be cautious of lesser-known keyboard apps that request excessive permissions, since keyboards technically have access to everything you type.

2. Can I use more than one third-party keyboard at the same time? Yes. You can have multiple keyboards installed and enabled simultaneously, then switch between them using the keyboard icon shortcut or by changing your default keyboard in settings whenever you’d like.

3. Will changing my keyboard delete my saved words and typing history? Switching keyboards won’t delete anything from your old keyboard app, but your new keyboard will start with a blank prediction history, since each keyboard app maintains its own separate dictionary and learning data.

4. Do I need an internet connection to use a new keyboard? Most core typing features work fully offline. However, some advanced features like cloud-based prediction, voice typing, or GIF search may require an internet connection depending on the specific keyboard app.

5. How do I completely remove an old keyboard I no longer use? Go to your device’s app settings, find the keyboard app, and uninstall it like any other app. Just make sure you’ve already set a different keyboard as your default first, so you’re not left without an active keyboard.

6. Are premium keyboard themes worth paying for? This comes down to personal preference. Free themes are usually sufficient for most users, but premium theme packs, typically priced between $1–5 USD (approximately ₹80–400), can offer more polished designs, animated backgrounds, or exclusive color schemes if visual customization matters to you.

7. Can I change my keyboard without going through Settings every time? Yes, once multiple keyboards are enabled, you can switch instantly using the keyboard icon shortcut that appears near the keyboard itself, without needing to open Settings at all.

8. Why does my banking app show a different keyboard than my default? Certain finance and security-focused apps intentionally force their own secure keyboard or restrict third-party keyboards during sensitive input fields like PIN or password entry, as an added layer of protection against keylogging risks. This is a normal security measure and not something you can typically override.