How to change the keyboard on your Android phone or tablet
Your phone’s keyboard can make or break your user experience. Most of us have wrestled with an awkward default keyboard setup. Even though some Android users prefer the pre-installed keyboard, you can always change it andditch it for another trusted option. You can choose several keyboard options. It works with all devices, whether you own atop-of-the-line Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, or another Android device. Our guide illustrates how to change or use multiple Android keyboards while showcasing the best Android keyboards you can install.
Why should you change the default keyboard on your Android phone?
The default Samsung keyboard could be better. For example, word prediction and touch response could use some improvements. Still, the Samsung keyboard is functional. Some notable features include sending text, searching the internet, and customizing the design. However, it falls short compared to Google’s keyboard (Gboard) and some third-party providers.
Type in peace without suggestions
You may prefer to change the default keyboard if you have a Samsung device. It’s simple to replace, and you’re able to try new options until you’ve found the perfect one. You can do this with any Android phone.
What are your keyboard options on Android?
Unlike Apple, Google doesn’t hamper third-party keyboard functionality. When you change a keyboard on Android, the system applies the change across the entire device. iOS switches to the default keyboard where it can, like when typing a password.
Before we look at some options, proceed with caution. Keyboard apps are simple to make, which makes them attractive to hackers. An unknown keyboard app from a sketchy developer can slow down your device and compromise your data. There’s at least one well-known instance of alarge personal data leak from a bogus keyboard app developer.
Here are a few top-end keyboard apps to try for the best experience.
Gboard received a Material You makeover in 2021, and it’s continued to receive design updates over the years. This makes it among the best-looking Android keyboard apps. It’s the default keyboard app on most Android devices.
Type quickly and easily with these handy tricks
Gboard syncs your data, like learned words, across devices and your Google account. It is also packed with useful add-ons. Some notable features include support for stickers, Emoji Kitchen creations, GIFs, Google Translate, and one-handed mode.
According to theOctober 2024 Gboard app beta, users could have the ability to change fonts in Gboard. The option (in the beta version) is in the Appearances section; you can choose between Google Sans Text and Roboto. It’s a fun option if you’re swapping between keyboards because of how the keys appear on your phone. It’s not yet present in the stable release.
Microsoft SwiftKey
Microsoft SwiftKey is a popular choice among tech-savvy users. It’s known for its insightful next-word prediction, sophisticated clipboard, Microsoft Translate integration, diverse theme and layout options, and additional features powered by AI. Another plus for SwiftKey is its AI integration with Microsoft Copilot.
The Grammarly keyboard scans your text input in real-time to fix spelling and grammar errors. If you use your Android device for work, a helping hand from Grammarly might not go amiss. You can also use Grammarly on the web when you’re away from your phone or tablet.
That’s a quick rundown of the biggest and best, but there are other contenders for the title oftop keyboard app for Android, so shop around.
Find the perfect match for your typing style
The steps for changing the keyboard on Android may differ depending on the manufacturer. This guide shows the process on a Google Pixel device.
How to change the keyboard on Android
Stick to the Google Play Store if you’re looking for a reliable and safe keyboard app for Android. Most keyboard apps allow you to set a new default app during the setup process, but you may do it manually.
If you want to try keyboard options on the Google Play Store, use Android’s seamless keyboard switching feature and try multiple keyboards instantly.
How to use multiple keyboards on Android
If you can’t decide which current keyboard to use or prefer one in some situations and one in others, switching between two options is easy. Below, we use Microsoft SwiftKey and Gboard as examples.
How to change the Android keyboard from the keyboard app
This is probably the simplest way of activating a new keyboard. Here’s the process on SwiftKey.
SwiftKey is Gboard’s strongest competitor. It has many features that general and niche audiences might like, such as its ability to sync your phone’s clipboard with Windows.
Samsung uses a different settings app on One UI software. The default Samsung keyboard leaves much to be desired, and it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Maybe you don’t need a new keyboard app
If you’re happy with the setup, you don’t have to switch from your default keyboard. Switching means learning the new keyboard’s quirks, which take some adapting. Most keyboard apps have a shallow learning curve. But it is difficult to overwrite muscle memory if you’ve become used to a certain keyboard. After finding the right keyboard, check the settings if there’s anything you can change. Gboard, for example, has many neat tricks; you can even fix some issues just bychanging the Samsung keyboard settings.
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