How do I change the default keyboard on my Android phone?

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On Android this is a bit hidden, so you are not messing anything up by poking around. Here is the step by step.

  1. First, turn the new keyboard on
    • Open Settings
    • Go to System or General management or Additional settings, depends on brand
    • Tap “Language & input” or “Languages & input”
    • Tap “On‑screen keyboard” or “Virtual keyboard”
    • Tap “Manage keyboards”
    • Toggle your new keyboard ON
    • You will see a warning about data collection. Read it, hit OK if you trust the app

  2. Set it as default
    On many phones:
    • In the same “On‑screen keyboard” screen, tap “Default keyboard”
    • Pick your new keyboard from the list

    On Samsung:
    • Settings
    • General management
    • Keyboard list and default
    • Tap “Default keyboard”
    • Choose the new one

  3. Quick way to switch while typing
    This is useful if you want to swap back and forth.
    • Open any app where you type, like Messages
    • Tap in a text field so the keyboard pops up
    • Look for a small keyboard icon or globe icon in the nav bar or on the keyboard
    • Tap it, pick the keyboard you want

    If you do not see the icon:
    • Pull down the notification shade while the keyboard is open
    • Tap “Choose input method” or “Select keyboard”
    • Select the one you want

  4. If the new keyboard does not show up
    • Make sure the app is installed, sounds obvious but worth checking
    • Reopen Settings, Language & input, Manage keyboards, confirm the toggle is ON
    • If still missing, restart the phone

  5. To switch back to your old keyboard
    Do the same “Default keyboard” steps and pick Gboard, Samsung Keyboard, or whatever you used before.

Nothing you do in these menus breaks the phone. Worst case, if a keyboard glitches, you switch back using the notification “Select keyboard” option or by going to Settings again.