Introduction
If you’re frustrated with the default keyboard on your Android device, don’t worry, you can change it. You can download and try out different keyboards for your Android device from the Google Play store. In addition to a different keyboard layout, other keyboards may also give you the option to change your keyboard color or theme. Examples of all instructions in the steps can be seen in both the YouTube video above and the image collection located beneath the steps.
Steps to Change Default Keyboard on Android
- Download the keyboard you want to use from the Google Play store on your Android device. In this example, I’ll download Google’s Gboard.
- Swipe up on your Android device’s home screen to display the Apps screen, and then tap “Settings.” The Settings screen is displayed.
- Scroll down and tap “General Management,” and then tap “Language and Input” on the General Management screen. The Language and Input screen is shown.
- Tap “On-screen Keyboard” in the Keyboards section, and then tap “Manage Keyboards” on that screen. The keyboard app you installed on your Android device should be displayed in this list.
- Tap to turn on the toggle associated with the keyboard you installed on your Android device that you want to use. In this example I’ll turn on Gboard. A warning may appear that your keyboard may be able to collect the text you type and personal information. Tap “OK” on that warning.
- Navigate back to the Language and Input screen, and then tap “Default Keyboard.” A Select Keyboard window is shown. Choose the keyboard you want to change to use. The window will close and your new keyboard will be shown in the Default Keyboard section. Now your newly selected keyboard will show up whenever a keyboard is displayed going forward.
