How to Change the Keyboard on Android in 7 Easy Steps

Our day-to-day mobile usage involves typing to input information. Depending on your phone, the keyboard may differ from other devices. The good thing is that Android provides every user with multiple keyboard options through the Google Play Store.

The keyboards are highly customizable to meet your needs. While switching keyboards is easy, some people need to learn how to change the keyboard on Android.

If your default keyboard is not appealing and you are looking for something more intuitive, you are in the right place. This guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to change the keyboard on Android, making the process straightforward.

Step 1: Download Your Preferred Keyboard

Any device that runs on Android can change the default keyboard to suit the user’s preferences. Go to the Play Store and search by typing the word “keyboard” in the search space. You will see a bunch of different keyboards.

1.1: Select Your Preferred Option and Install it

Choosing the right keyboard can be difficult. However, you can read user reviews, see the ratings on the developer’s site, or seek recommendations from the people you know. You can also visit the developer’s website to read more about the keyboard you intend to use so that you don’t get stuck mid-way.

Once you have decided on the one you want to use, click it like any other app and tap Install and accept. Please wait for it to be installed. Once complete, you can hit Open and follow the onscreen instructions to install the keyboard.

1.2: Set up the New Keyboard

To set up the new keyboard, go to Settings. Inside the setting page, no matter your device, you should have a language and input, or it might say Keyboard & Input Method or something similar.

Tap that option to show all the keyboards installed on your device. Check the one you wish to use as a new keyboard version. Agree that it will be able to see what you type, and then, once you have selected it, you can change the default keyboard.

Step 2: Go to Settings on Your Android Device

Select the Settings option on your phone, and scroll through the options to Additional Settings. In some phones, the keyboard options will be under Languages & Input.

When you tap the additional settings, you will get multiple options. Select Keyboard & Input Method to proceed.

Step 3: Change the Default Keyboard

To change the default keyboard to your downloaded one, tap on the Default Keyboard option and tap on Manage Keyboards. Activate the toggle switch located next to the keyboard you wish to use.

Step 4: Enable and Set a Keyboard as the Default One

Enabling a keyboard in Android may prompt a warning message informing you about the keyboard potentially collecting the text you type, which may include personal information. If this occurs, tap on the OK button to proceed.

Note that apps collect this information to enable features like auto-correct, which predicts the text you’re about to type. As a result, the app may store data such as web searches, text messages, WhatsApp messages, emails, and passwords.

You need to authorize the request to ensure the functionality of your keyboard. For security concerns, some people may be hesitant. However, authorizing the keyboard to collect data does not mean it’s shared with other sources. Instead, this authorization helps to make your experience more streamlined.

Step 5: Launch the App You Want to Type In

Now that you have changed your keyboard and it is ready to use an app that uses a keyboard, your new keyboard will automatically appear. You can test it to ensure that it’s the one you want to use.

If you find it difficult to learn, use, or unappealing, the keyboard may slow you down or affect your productivity. So, consider uninstalling it if you want to do away with it or change it to a better one. To change to another keyboard, return to your language, input, and change the default to the other. 

Step 6: Switching Between Android Keyboards

Android doesn’t restrict the number of keyboard apps that users can download. If you have multiple keyboards that you like to use, it’s effortless to switch between them as required.

For example, you may have a keyboard that you prefer for work-related tasks, another for communicating with friends, a third for using silly GIFs, and perhaps one in a different language.

Additionally, in some situations, you might prefer voice typing, also known as speech-to-text, to traditional typing.

Step 7: Viewing Android Keyboard Permissions

The last step in changing the keyboard on Android is to navigate to Settings and select App Management. This is especially handy if you want to check the permissions you gave to a specific keyboard app. You can do this by clicking on See all > apps and choosing the keyboard app from the available list.

Once there, locate the Permissions section. If it states that no permissions have been granted, you don’t need to take further action.

However, if a number is displayed, tap Permission to review which ones are allowed and which ones are denied. To gather additional information about what data the app collects, you can visit either the Google Play Store listing or the company’s website.

Conclusion

Changing a keyboard is easy, with only a few steps to follow. However, when installing a new keyboard from the Play Store, make sure it is easy to learn and use; otherwise, you will be stuck with a keyboard that will slow you down.

Although most keyboards are easy to learn, as with everything new, it will take time to learn how they operate, which might affect your productivity, especially if you do a lot of typing on your phone. If your current keyboard has no issues, you might want to stick with it or change it when you have enough time to familiarize yourself with the new keyboard.