Change Default Keyboard on iPhone: Step-by-Step

Changing your default keyboard on an iPhone lets you switch the primary typing method for all apps, whether you prefer a third-party keyboard like Gboard or SwiftKey, or you want a different language layout. This guide walks you through adding a new keyboard, setting it as your default, and managing your keyboard list. You’ll need your iPhone unlocked and, if you’re adding a third-party keyboard, the app already installed from the App Store.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone with iOS 13 or later (the steps are similar on older versions).
If you want a third-party keyboard, download and install it from the App Store first (e.g., Gboard, SwiftKey, or any keyboard app).
An active internet connection if you’re adding a new language keyboard that needs to download.

Step-by-Step

Open the Settings app on your iPhone. It’s the gear icon on your home screen.
Scroll down and tap General.
Tap Keyboard (you may need to scroll down a bit).
Tap Keyboards at the top of the Keyboard settings page. This shows a list of all your currently enabled keyboards.
To add a new keyboard, tap Add New Keyboard… at the bottom of the list.
Choose the keyboard you want from the list. For third-party keyboards, they appear under the “Third-Party Keyboards� section. For language keyboards, scroll through the list of languages and select the one you need.
If you selected a third-party keyboard, you’ll be prompted to allow “Full Access.� This is required for features like predictive text, swipe typing, and syncing. Tap Allow to enable those features. (If you’re not comfortable with full access, you can still use the keyboard, but many advanced features won’t work.)
After adding, the new keyboard appears in your list. To make it your default, you need to rearrange the order: tap Edit in the top-right corner of the Keyboards list.
Drag the keyboard you want as your default to the top of the list using the three-line handle on the right. The topmost keyboard is the one that appears when you start typing in any app.
Tap Done to save the order.
Now, when you open any app that uses the keyboard, the top keyboard in your list will be active. If you want to switch to another keyboard temporarily, tap and hold the globe icon (or emoji icon) on the keyboard and select the one you want.

Common Mistakes

Not granting Full Access: For third-party keyboards, if you skip the Full Access prompt, the keyboard may not work as expected. You can enable it later in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards > tap the keyboard name > toggle on “Allow Full Access.�
Forgetting to reorder: Adding a keyboard doesn’t automatically make it the default. You must drag it to the top of the list. If you don’t, the original keyboard (like English) remains the default.
Deleting the old keyboard: You don’t need to delete the old keyboard to change the default. Just reorder. If you delete it, you might lose access to its emoji or language features.
Confusing “Keyboards� with “Keyboard� settings: The “Keyboard� settings page has options like auto-capitalization and spell check, but the actual list of keyboards is under “Keyboards.� Make sure you tap the right one.

Tips

Use the globe key: The globe (�) key on the keyboard lets you switch between keyboards quickly. Tap it to cycle through your enabled keyboards, or hold it to see a list.
Add multiple languages: You can add multiple language keyboards and switch between them. This is useful for bilingual typing.
Set per-app keyboard: Some third-party keyboards allow you to set a default per app (e.g., always use Gboard in WhatsApp). Check the keyboard’s own settings for this option.
Remove unused keyboards: To keep your keyboard list clean, swipe left on a keyboard in the list and tap Delete. This prevents accidental switches.
Reset keyboard dictionary: If your keyboard’s predictions are off, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Keyboard Dictionary. This clears learned words but doesn’t remove keyboards.

Troubleshooting

New keyboard doesn’t appear when typing: Make sure you’ve added it correctly and it’s at the top of the list. If it’s a third-party keyboard, check that it’s enabled in Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. Also, try restarting the app you’re using.
Full Access toggle is grayed out: This can happen if the keyboard app is not properly installed. Delete the keyboard from the list, then re-add it. If the problem persists, reinstall the app from the App Store.
Keyboard keeps reverting to the old one: This usually means the keyboard isn’t at the top of the list. Go back to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards and reorder. Also, check if “Allow Full Access� is on for third-party keyboards—some keyboards won’t stay default without it.
Third-party keyboard crashes or freezes: Update the keyboard app to the latest version. If it still crashes, remove it from the keyboard list and re-add it. If the issue continues, the app may be incompatible with your iOS version—check the App Store for compatibility.
Can’t find “Add New Keyboard�: On some iOS versions, the option is labeled “Add New Keyboard…� but it’s at the bottom of the list. If you don’t see it, scroll down. If you still don’t, make sure you’re in the right place: Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to jailbreak my iPhone to change the default keyboard?
A: No. iOS natively supports third-party keyboards since iOS 8. You just add them in Settings.

Q: Can I set a different default keyboard for different apps?
A: Not system-wide. However, some third-party keyboards have per-app settings within their own app. For example, you can set Gboard to always be active in WhatsApp, but the system default remains what you set in Settings.

Q: Will changing my default keyboard affect my password entry?
A: For security, iOS always uses the default system keyboard for password fields. Third-party keyboards are not used for entering passwords.

Q: How do I delete a keyboard I no longer use?
A: Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap Edit, then tap the red minus icon next to the keyboard and confirm. Or swipe left on the keyboard and tap Delete.

Q: Why does my third-party keyboard not have all the features?
A: Many features (like swipe typing, predictive text, and cloud sync) require “Full Access.� Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards, tap the keyboard name, and toggle on “Allow Full Access.�

Q: Can I use a keyboard that is not in the App Store?
A: No. Only keyboards from the App Store are supported. Apple does not allow side-loading keyboards.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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