How to customize the keyboard on iPhone and iPad

By Allyson Kazmucha, Luke Filipowicz
last updated

Anytime you tap on an text field, your iPhone or iPad knows that you need to type and instinctively will bring up the default qwerty keyboard on the bottom half of the screen. It's a quick and handy way to get typing when you need to, but have you ever stopped to think that maybe your keyboard could be doing more for you?

Apple's built-in keyboard is already very practical. With the Emoji keyboard already installed on all iOS devices, most people will probably find themselves completely satisfied with the default keyboard. However, there are some pretty neat things you can do to the existing keyboard and you can even install third party keyboards for a completely different feel and look.

How to add a built-in keyboard

Apple has already taken care of your Emoji needs by making it a part of the default keyboard, but probably the most common reason for adding any additional built-in keyboards is for communicating in different languages.

  1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
  2. Tap on the General button.
  3. Swipe up to scroll down the menu.

  1. Tap on Keyboard.
  2. Tap on the Keyboards button.
  3. Tap on Add New Keyboard

  1. Swipe up to scroll down the list of options
  2. Tap on the keyboard you want to select.

Whenever your keyboard pops up on your phone you will have easy access to any of the keyboards you have added. Now you can type out the lyrics to Lady Marmalade with all the correct accents. We assume that's the only reason you would be typing that…

How to quickly switch between keyboards on iPhone and iPad

Now that you have a few keyboards at your disposal, you need to learn how to switch between them all.

  1. Pull up a keyboard in any app.
  2. Tap and hold on the globe key.
  3. Tap on the keyboard name you'd like to use.

To return to another keyboard, simply tap and hold the globe key and make your selection again.

That's it! The keyboard you chose should now appear throughout iOS in place of the built-in one that comes standard. Simply start using it.

How to install a third party keyboard on iPhone and iPad

Apple gives you the ability to use custom third party keyboards on your iPhone or iPad. Whether you prefer swiping over typing or just feel like the built-in keyboard holds you back, you now have options! All you have to do is download some keyboards from the App Store, activate them, and you've got a customized experience!

  1. Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Tap on Keyboard.

  1. Tap on Keyboards at the top.
  2. Tap on Add New Keyboard...
  3. Under Third-Party Keyboards, tap on the keyboard name that you'd like to use.

Now every time you call up the keyboard on your device will allow you to switch between all the third party and built-in keyboards you have added. You can also switch your new keyboard to be your default at any time.

How to set a keyboard as the default on iPhone and iPad

Once you find the perfect keyboard for you, odds are you'll want it to be your go-to default for everything. Luckily, there's an easy way to set it as your default so you don't have to toggle back and forth each time you want to use it.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap on General.
  3. Tap on Keyboard.

  1. Tap Keyboards.
  2. Tap on Edit.

  1. Drag the keyboard you'd like to be the default to the top of the list.
  2. Tap Done at the top right.

That's all there is to it! Whatever keyboard you have positioned in the top spot will now be your default.

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Allyson Kazmucha
Allyson Kazmucha

iMore senior editor from 2011 to 2015.

9 Comments
  • Great, I didn't know about dictionaries....
  • the way apple handles 3rd party keyboards like Swipe, is absolutely terrible and nearly useless.
    You can't chose it as a Native app, so they may as well just left it alone.
    But, the good news is, other than Not being able to swipe, the apple keyboard is pretty good and I use voice more than fingers anyways.
  • I hear you. The "Apple Keyboard is pretty good" if you have one of the larger iPhones. My mom's got a pre owned 5S, and the keyboard is TERRIBLE. I replaced it with Fleksy (a carry over from my Android phone) so she could at least type at a decent rate.
  • I agree. Was never a fan of the apple keyboard on my iPad. Installed swiftkey the day it came out but the third party keyboard support is seriously bad. It kept switching my keyboard back to apple's every now and then(not just when entering passwords). I ended up removing apple's keyboard from the list completely and use swiftkey only. I feel that the predictions are so much better on swiftkey and can't beat swiping.
  • Is there anyway to stop the default keyboard from taking over from a custom one in situations such as safari searches etc? Posted via the iMore App
  • Remove the Apple keyboard from the list. Now it will only come up for typing passwords
  • Excellent stuff. . Now how do I stop it asking me for my iTunes password every time an app updates? Bloody iOS 10
  • I heard something about two languages available at this same time without need to switch between them. I cannot find that option and still need to do that manually.
    Is there anyone who can help? Sent from the iMore App
  • I'm pretty sure it should be automatic (albeit on the Apple keyboard only)